Published on : 15/09/2020 – 07:54Modified : 15/09/2020 – 08:27
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In Wilmington, in the stronghold of Joe Biden. The Democratic candidate does most of his campaign there from his home located in the affluent neighborhoods of this Delaware city.
The Claymont Steak Shop is a small restaurant specializing in the sale of meat sandwiches. Pictures of Joe Biden all smiles alongside the owner are displayed on the wall. Because the presidential candidate has frequented the premises for decades. ” I met him when he was vice-president. He came to lunch with his team, says Ayleen Beclarian, a ten-year employee at the Claymont Steak Shop. The was very humble, he entered, stood in line like everyone else. He talked to clients, took pictures with them, he was very kind. »
Joe Biden, an approachable and courteous man, whom almost everyone seems to have met in Wilmington. Tyron Baily, 59, sits outside the front porch of his home in the black neighborhood in the west of the city. He met the ex-vice president when he was employed at the supermarket in the neighborhood where the Biden live. « It was my first job, I was filling customers’ bags. Joe Biden gave me fifty dollars because I had packed his goods, and he told me to keep doing a good job. He is close to people, he knows everyone. That’s my man ! » launches Tyron, convinced that his candidate will be elected.
It was in Gianni Esposito’s pizzeria that Joe Biden announced his candidacy for the White House. Gianni says he lost customers that day because of the influx of journalists and photographers who crowded his small shop. And he is careful not to take sides in the presidential race. ” My political views are different from Joe Biden’s, but if people hear me speak, they’ll say I’m a racist or a fanatic. This is America today : you can no longer express your opinion. Nowadays, when people have a different opinion, they become enemies. My business is selling pizza, and I don’t want to be anyone’s enemy. Joe Biden is a good man. But will I vote for him ? I do not know », explains the owner of the pizzeria.« The stock markets will go down if Joe Biden is elected. Right now, prices are at their highest », reacts a customer. Erik Anderson, a 29-year-old engineer, doesn’t flinch as he listens to the conversation, but once out of the pizzeria, he tells us: “ I am progressive. To be on the left in the United States is to suffer most of the time. I voted for Bernie Sanders in the primaries, and I consider Donald Trump to be a serious threat to democracy. I’m not keen on voting for Joe Biden, I’m not super excited, but at least I know he’s a decent guy. »
Wilmington Station, a small red brick building topped with a steeple, was renamed Joe Biden Station, because it was here that for thirty-six years Joe Biden took the train to the Senate in Washington. He returned every evening by the same means to take care of his two sons. It was around this time that Lee Murphy, a now retired train conductor, met the Democratic candidate. Lee Murphy is running today as the Republican candidate for Congress.
« Sometimes, if I needed it, Joe would offer to drive me home from the station. In the ’80s and’ 90s, people might not agree, but still get along and be friends. But those times are over », he notes before nodding : « I think Joe is a good family man, but frankly if he is elected he will be under the control of the more radical members of his party, which I find very sad ».In Wilmington, Joe Biden’s human qualities are unanimously recognized. But the stronghold of the former Democratic vice-president is not spared by the divisions that fracture America.
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