I think you might just be a time traveler from the 90s. Everyone expected Biden to run further to the center but he did the opposite. Here is a partial list of his left leaning promises.

• Free community college
• Universal Pre-K
• Student debt forgiveness
• Double Pell Grants
• Expand Social Security
• Increase refugee admissions
• Expand path to citizenship
• Raise taxes on the wealthy
• Raise corporate tax rate
• Strengthen unions
• Bring back manufacturing
• Expand broadband access
• Voting rights for felons
• Eliminate mandatory minimums
• Eliminate cash bail
• End private detention centers
• Decriminalize Marijuana
• Lower cost of prescription drugs
• $15 federal minimum wage
• 12 weeks paid medical leave
• 7 days paid vacation
• Rejoin Paris Agreement
• Green energy assistance for disadvantaged communities
• Block new fracking
• Offer a public option
• Create public health jobs corps
• Restore engagement with Cuba
• Constitutional amendment to eliminate private funding of elections
• Reverse transgender military ban

The thing is, that the left-right spectrum isn't the only axis that voters use to evaluate politicians anymore. A mich more important axis is now pro/anti establishment. Americans almost universally despise the DC establishment. Hillary represented that establishment, while Trump mocked it. Trump was a message in the form of a molotov cocktail.