When Joe Biden won the popular vote in the 2020 US Presidential election and proceeded to win the electoral college as well, the Republican party found it difficult to understand how he had done so. They had not expected this from Biden, who was expected to struggle against Donald Trump.
The answer is simpler than Republicans think: Biden won the election thanks to a combination of different factors. First, he had superior campaign strategies that targeted both the right and left sides of the political spectrum. Biden was careful to appeal to rural America by emphasizing his ties to the middle class, as well as to urban America by discussing the need for progressive reforms like racial justice and healthcare.
Second, Biden had the support the Democratic party’s core base of voters, such as women, minorities, and young people. Trump’s rhetoric about immigrants, abortion, and the handling of civil unrest further alienated the GOP’s traditional conservative voters. This allowed Biden to make a strong showing among key voting groups, nullifying Trump’s lead in the polls in swing states late in the race.
Third, Biden ran a strong ground game in key battleground states by staffing up offices and mobilizing volunteers to ensure that voters were educated and registered. He also had the support of outside groups like Organizing for Action, which funneled funds into get-out-the-vote efforts in critical states like Florida and Pennsylvania.
Finally, the Covid-19 pandemic greatly favored Biden as the primary focus of the election shifted to containing the virus and spurring economic recovery. This highlighted Biden’s more moderate approach to the issue compared to the President’s laissez-faire stance, resulting in unprecedented numbers of registered voters cycling through key swing states.
So, there is no need to despair over Biden’s success. Through a combination of strategic voter outreach, a well-oiled ground game, and a recession-ravaged economy, Biden pulled off an impressive victory, one for which Republicans are still struggling to find an answer.