In 1984, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware had a seemingly effortless re-election campaign as he easily swept aside challengers due to the staggering advantage of his incumbency. Throughout his Senate career, Mr. Biden never faced a serious threat to his office, with his opponents being underfunded, little-known, or inexperienced. However, his 2020 presidential campaign against Donald J. Trump is proving to be a different story, with a tough and close re-election fight ahead of him. His travel-intensive campaign has forced him to make a compelling case for his return to office, unlike his previous uncontested Senate races.
Before his 2020 presidential campaign, Mr. Biden had never faced harshly negative advertisements about his record in office or his character, and none of his Senate rivals attacked him on TV. However, his opponents in Delaware described him as a strong incumbent who was widely liked and quick on his feet during debates, contrasting sharply with the president they see today. Mr. Biden has ramped up his travel schedule with carefully managed visits to battleground states in recent weeks, despite drawing mocking and criticism from conservative news media for verbal flubs during public appearances.
Mr. Biden’s experience in Delaware politics, as well as his early personal tragedy, contributed to his overwhelming popularity and lack of serious challengers in his early years in the Senate. The “Delaware Way” of clubby politeness in politics further blurred the lines between the two parties, with Mr. Biden and his initial opponents abiding by this informal code. Despite attempts by some of his rivals to expose his temper or attack his character, Mr. Biden maintained his steady and sympathetic image that was difficult to crack for any opponents.
In his early Senate races, Mr. Biden faced opponents who were largely unable to mount negative campaigns against him due to lack of resources or viable strategies. His adversaries, like Ray Clatworthy in 1996 and 2002, were unable to gain traction against Mr. Biden, with the senator maintaining a consistent stance on issues and delivering clear responses during debates. Even when there were attempts to undermine Mr. Biden’s sympathetic image, such as the plagiarism scandal during his 1988 presidential run, his opponents were unsuccessful in their efforts to paint him in a negative light to voters.
Despite his long tenure in the Senate and his popularity among Delaware voters, Mr. Biden was rarely targeted by negative advertisements until his 2020 presidential campaign against Donald J. Trump. His opponents, like Christine O’Donnell in 2008, faced challenges from within their own party and were unable to make a significant impact on Mr. Biden’s re-election bids. As both candidates prepare for their upcoming re-election campaigns, the political landscape has shifted, with Mr. Biden facing a tough fight unlike any he has experienced before, as he seeks to secure another term in office.
