Biden Repeatedly Heckled In New Hampshire

Former Vice President Joe Biden hasn’t had the greatest track record when it comes to dealing with tough questions and hecklers. Last night in New Hampshire, during a campaign stop, Biden was repeatedly heckled, but he managed to keep his cool this time around.

While speaking about his belief that “character is on the ballot” this November, Biden was briefly interrupted by a man in the audience who asked him how he could talk about character. Supporters quickly rallied, chanting “we want Joe” at the heckler before those in attendance erupted into a loud but brief group argument.

After a short time, the heckler again began interrupting Biden, prompting yells for the heckler to “get out” and Biden asking the man to “come on” and let him continue. At one point Biden said the heckles are proof of how much Trump doesn't want him to be the Democratic nominee.

During the speech, Biden remarked that his campaign had had a good night in Iowa, although so far either Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., or former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg are projected to win the state.

Biden had a similarly unpleasant interaction last week in Iowa, after a voter approached him at a campaign event in Des Moines. The man wanted to address Biden’s policies on climate change and fossil fuels, but instead, the candidate came across abrasive, holding the man by his jacket lapels and suggesting that he “go vote for someone else.”

Perhaps the most infamous such incident to date came during a town hall event hosted by Biden in Iowa in December. At one point, a voter shared his main reservations about supporting Biden, his age and his son’s time in Ukraine. In response, the former vice president said, “You’re a damn liar, man!” Biden also challenged the voter to “do push-ups together here, man.”

Either the presidential hopeful is learning from these past interactions – and recognizing the unfavorable optics that come with them – or Biden is better prepared to handle interrupting hecklers than he is potential supporters.