How will the sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden impact the 2020 election?

The accusation about the former vice president is serious, but the race for the White House is still likely to be decided by the economy, writes John Rentoul

The Democratic presidential candidate has denied the accusation against him, saying the alleged incident 'never happened' (AP)

Joe Biden has been in politics so long that it is not surprising that he tows a bit of baggage behind him. A presidential run in 1988 was derailed when he plagiarised a Neil Kinnock speech; his son Hunter’s business dealings have been, well, complicated; and he has been accused of touching women inappropriately.

In the past, these accusations have been about his behaviour at public events, and he has brushed them off by saying he is a “tactile politician” – although they have been awkward for someone who as vice president promoted legislation against sexual harassment.

Last year, however, as another run for the presidency became likely, new allegations were made of unwanted touching, one of them as recent as four years ago. And one of those accusers, Tara Reade, who worked in Biden’s Senate office in 1992-93, this year added the more serious charge of sexual assault to her previous allegation of inappropriate touching.