Battleground
Pennsylvania state of mind.
Over the past few days my wife and I have driven from Baltimore MD to near Wilmington DE and on to the suburbs of Philadelphia near Valley Forge and back. We have witnessed the yard sign and billboard war from here to there and I believe it’s a microcosm of America.
There’s dozens of versions of support or disdain out there. Is there a clear winner in the sign wars ? No. In and near Baltimore Trump signs are pretty rare. Harris wins here by a landslide. In the rural area in between, up Rt 1 and over the Conowingo Dam
Trump dominates with flags and signs…but there’s far fewer people. If you stop and spend some time there by the river, it’s highly likely you will see some eagles.
As we drove towards Wilmington the signs got really mixed. We decided to go see Winterthur, the historic home of the DuPonts.
Wow, what a wonderful combination of art, gardens and history. The family made a LOT of money off of gunpowder sales during the Civil War…but they did not create their “improved” gun powder for war. It was for hunting, to help put food on the table.
One of the young DuPonts served the Union in the Civil War and received the Medal of Honor for his role at the battle of Cedar Creek in Oct 1864.
This US Army success against an early morning surprise attack by Jubal Early and his rebels helped seal Lincoln’s victory in his 2nd campaign against peace democrat George McClellan…who Lincoln had fired after Antietam for not finishing off Bobby Lee.
Little Mac would have made peace with the confederates, allowing the CSA to be it’s own country with slavery intact. Thank you Henry DuPont for your brave service.
We stayed at the Inn at Montchanin, a REALLY delightful little village of homes from the mid 1800’s. This was where some of DuPonts workers lived…so they helped win the war also. We liked the vibe a lot.
We had a conversation with a woman from the area who described herself as Independent. Not party affiliated. She was going with Harris and said that Jan 6 was a deciding moment for her. She told us that she has conservative Trump supporting friends in the area who she has attempted to convince to let go…move on, but they are willing to give Donald a pass, even though they don’t like him, because they believe he will be better for their pocketbooks. They don’t see the danger…or are willing to gamble on it. The sign war from there into the PA battleground was very mixed.
As we got closer to Valley Forge and to Philly, the Harris signs took over again. Over the past 5-6 days we ate, breakfast, lunch and dinner in a wide variety of places…from really basic, but VERY good like this Jimmy Johns to a Texas Roadhouse and a Ruths Chris.
The thing that I can report is the economy appears to be strong. People are out with their families, eating, tipping, enjoying…driving and buying gas. No one was complaining about a lack of business. If anything we saw Help Wanted signs. We did not see any TV news or read a paper from Friday AM to Sunday PM. The only sign of an impending election were the signs….the printers are having a good year. The other observation I can make is that I don’t recall seeing a political T-shirt or a MAGA hat anywhere. I did not overhear a political conversation anywhere. I think folks on both sides are burned out and want it over.
The one disturbing on-going conversation I’ve had over the past week is with an old college friend who revealed to me that she does not intend to vote for President tomorrow. She does not like either choice and told me that she won’t give her “sacred vote” to anyone who lies. I had to reply that I was sorry to break it to her but that she had voted for folks who lie for the past 50 years. She lives in DE not far from where the Biden’s have their beach house, so her non vote is not going to change the election. Harris is sure to win DE and MD. PA is the toss up. But it boggles my mind that she can equate the 2 and not grasp the big picture. I’ve tried to get through…but to no avail. I think that I’m going to ask her to at least write whoever she is comfortable with.
My hope is that Pennsylvania continues to be a battleground for freedom that extends the victories created at Independence Hall, endured the hardships at Valley Forge and provided the Confederates with their high water mark at Gettysburg…the site of North America’s largest land battle ever. May tomorrow be Trump’s version of Pickett’s Charge….and that Lincoln’s brilliant words there continue to ring true.
Peace
Mike, as always will said. As a lifelong resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I am trying to get through those who continue to believe that Trump cares for them at all. They are so sure that he’s going to make everything great for them that they continue to overlook the growing list of threats and dangerous rhetoric that comes out of his mouth.
The thing that boggles my mind most though, is how any educated person or anyone who is a woman - wife, mother, daughter, aunt, niece - or any man who knows a woman can support him.
As a poll worker, I am concerned with our safety and the safety of any who will be working in their polls. But I am especially worried at what might/will happen after the election. I pray that democracy will survive.
I will never understand the obliviousness of that friend of yours. How can anyone exist in America and not be disgusted and absolutely terrified of a man who says he wouldn't mind if some in the press were fired on...actually said he should have never left the White House after losing the election?
How? Is it an epidemic of RFK, Jr brain worms?
It is also astounding to me that there haven't been enough statements and acts by this monster to allow his incarceration. He is literally inciting violence. He belongs in prison awaiting trial - no bail, flight risk.
Nice recap of the trip. I really enjoy reading your letters.