It’s the same pattern of behavior as the 2020 election.
Yes, in 2020, Biden was in his basement most of the time, hidden from the press and tightly controlled.
Surrogates were out attacking Trump's handling of Covid along with willing media servants.
Now Biden is hiding again from the press, being tightly controlled and his surrogates only talk about Trump's legal woes and abortion.
They dare not talk about the state of the economy, foreign policy, immigration, etc.