Muhammad Ali beat George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle” by remaining passive during the first several rounds and letting Foreman punch himself fruitlessly into exhaustion. Ali called this tactic the “rope-a-dope,” and, like many of his more memorable lines, it stuck.
Biden is doing something very similar with Trump. He’s making the election a referendum on the incumbent, rather than a choice between two visions of America, by saying and doing only the minimum that is required. Every day that Trump is out shooting himself in the foot is a victory for him. The fruits of it will be seen on November 3.
This is not a very inspiring approach, and it would only work against someone as narcissistic and erratic as Trump. It does, however, require great discipline, which has not been a hallmark of Biden’s campaigns in the past. The old dog has learned a new trick.