Biden's rise tests Trump plan of casting foes as socialists

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump may want to cast his potential Democratic rivals as a band of angry socialists, but Joe Biden is not cooperating with Trump's reelection strategy, giving the president growing unease.

As the Democratic field expands to more than 20 contenders, Trump and his campaign team have been trying to lump them together as left-wing radicals. Campaign officials believe it's the best way for Trump to overcome his challenges with moderate voters.

From the White House, Trump watched and tweeted with some concern as Biden's working-class appeal puts the GOP framing of the 2020 race to the test. Biden's rise challenges the Trump campaign's theory that no candidate can win the Democratic nomination without first embracing a slew of progressive policies that would benefit Trump in a general election.