He wasn't running against his archetype.
He played on every negative aspect, insecurity and fear that this country has. He needed an opponent that was the opposite of everything he was and Kamala was decent, but she played to the middle more than progressive left.
Say what you want about Obama (and there's plenty to say, good and bad) but his orator skills, his campaign promises, the optics, and his personality played into the hopes, dreams and ideals of what America COULD be. If Obama ran his "Yes, we can"/"Change" campaign against this Trump, he'd wipe the floor with him.
Obama was squeaky clean - they had to go conspiracy theorist to concoct the birth certificate bullshyt. Kamala had legitimate concerns that were picked apart and played on.
I dont underestimate someone like Trump, but at the same time... a mfer like Joe Biden whooped his ass.
JOE BIDEN.
This isn't a case of hidden genius or divine fate. It's a case of picking the wrong contender and the mishaps of the democratic campaign in failing to recognize much earlier that Joe Biden wasn't equipped to handle another campaign.