WASHINGTON — Joe Biden’s political travel schedule is lighter than his two immediate predecessors at the same point in the midterm campaign, highlighting the challenge unpopular presidents face trying to stave off congressional losses.
They are often unsuccessful. While Biden has raised millions of dollars for Democratic candidates this year, his party is still favored to lose control of at least the House, with polls showing voters concerned foremost about the economy under his watch.
Though candidates of the president’s party often try to distance themselves from him when they’re in tight races, Biden has been notably absent from competitive Senate and gubernatorial races in states including Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina.