The Note: Biden balances lessons of 2016 against realities of 2020

The TAKE with Rick Klein

The presumptive Democratic nominee has to be careful about how much he can presume about his party.

Former Vice President Joe Biden faces a sensitive moment in his campaign, as scrutiny over a sexual assault allegation continues. Biden has issued a strong denial, and is calling for personnel records to be searched to see if Tara Reade's allegation was documented.

But some progressives and women's organizations are saying that's not enough, and want access granted to his Senate papers and further investigation. The Biden campaign does not want to see a replay of 2016, when Hillary Clinton's famously missing emails became a source of endless speculation and Republican mischief-making.

Yet the realities of running as a Democrat in 2020 are such that Biden can't afford to be dismissive of allegations he insists are baseless. Decades of goodwill Biden has earned in the Democratic Party hasn't necessarily earned him the benefit of doubts, even if there are significant inconsistencies in Reade's story -- on top of the fact that Biden is running against President Donald Trump.

Biden's campaign is clearly taking this seriously, though trying not to let it subsume the campaign in a year where voters are focused on big leadership questions surrounding a pandemic. Democratic women including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several vice-presidential short-listers are vouching for Biden's integrity, and arguing that the Reade allegations have already been litigated.

But their words may not be enough. It's worth remembering that Biden is still looking to unify the party, after an abrupt end to the primaries left many progressives and younger voters unsatisfied that their voices were fully heard.

The RUNDOWN with MaryAlice Parks

At what point does one citizen's civil liberties infringe on their neighbor's? It's a central question that every city, state and community in America will grapple with for months to come.

Monday, at least seven states will continue to roll back stay-at-home and other previously imposed social-distancing measures. After allowing beauty shops and barber shops to open last week, Arkansas will allow gyms to open this week. Arizona will allow retail stores to open for delivery and curbside pickup. Florida moves to open restaurants at 25% capacity, as well as in-store retail and museums.

Asked about the persistent partisan divide -- how Republicans in polling seem more likely and willing to travel and go out again -- Ohio Governor Mike Dewine told ABC's Martha Raddatz Sunday that he thought generally Republicans were "less inclined to have the government tell them what to do."

It is a flawed argument, as caution while reopening has been urged by scientists, medical professionals, economists and unions -- not just "the government."

Moreover, we know that businesses and towns can "reopen" in a variety of fashions and take a myriad of precautions, or not.

Over the weekend, indignant protesters drove the discussion and dividing line on civil liberties in an Oklahoma city. The mayor of Stillwater, Oklahoma, caved and reversed course on a proclamation that had mandated face masks inside retails store after some resident threatened physical violence in response to the order, regardless of whether it might have made others feel safer.

The TIP with Benjamin Siegel

The Senate's return to Washington on Monday could invite new questions on whether the allegation of harassment leveled against Biden by a former aide exists in chamber's records.

In an MSNBC appearance on Friday, Biden said that the assault alleged by Reade, who served in Biden's office in 1993, "did not happen."

The complaint Reade says she filed with a Senate personnel office is now at the heart of the controversy. Though Reade has told some news outlets that she isn't sure if the complaint mentions "sexual harassment," Biden is now facing calls to release the document.

Biden on Friday said the alleged document would be held by the National Archives, but after the agency said the records would be in the Senate's control, he called on the Secretary of the Senate to take "whatever steps are necessary" to locate the alleged complaint and any other related records, and make them all public.

It's unclear what will come of the letter or search. But the episode could embolden Biden's critics and rivals to more closely scrutinize his lengthy Senate records and history.

BRINGING AMERICA BACK

Bringing America Back is an ABC News feature that highlights the day's top stories in economic recovery and medical preparedness amid the coronavirus pandemic. These stories delve into the key steps America is taking -- or needs to take. Stay on top of the latest developments regarding states' social distancing measures, advancements in the treatment of COVID-19 and more.

THE PLAYLIST

ABC News' "Start Here" Podcast. Monday morning's episode features ABC News' Trevor Ault, who tells us how states have fared as they begin to reopen under a patchwork set of guidelines. ABC News' Josh Margolin tells us what we know about where the novel coronavirus originated. Then, ABC News' Senior Congressional correspondent Mary Bruce explains how Joe Biden is responding to the sexual assault allegation from Tara Reade. And, ABC News Senior Washington reporter Devin Dwyer preps us for a historic week of livestreamed arguments from the Supreme Court. http://apple.co/2HPocUL

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The Note is a daily ABC News feature that highlights the day's top stories in politics. Please check back tomorrow for the latest.