Behind Trump or Harris, all feverish voters

Whether they are fans of Donald Trump or supporters of Kamala Harris, they are equally feverish at the prospect of a victory which seems within reach for each camp, at the end of an American presidential campaign like no other.

On the night of Monday to Tuesday, both in Grand Rapids, in the industrial state of Michigan with the ex-president’s last meeting, and in the historic city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania which awaits the Democratic vice-president, each supporter believes in the lucky star of his candidate while fearing a defeat on the line, or even by « fraud ».

Mark Perry therefore has not a shadow of a doubt.

Because for this 65-year-old handler who came from Indiana to cheer his champion, “It’s crazy how much support Trump has” in the United States. And if the 78-year-old populist tribune were to stumble on Tuesday, “that would be very suspicious”he tells AFP in the din of the loudspeakers and the smell of beer at the entrance to the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

Harris accused of ” cheat “

“It would (even) be very hard to swallow”adds Jacob Smith, a 41-year-old heating engineer, who, like the Republican billionaire and his millions of voters, is convinced that Kamala Harris can only win through “cheat”as, according to the Trumpists, Joe Biden would have done in 2020.

While at the doors of the 12,000-seat room, sellers harangue the customers who “are not democrats to buy a black cap” Struck with the slogan MAGA (“Make America Great Again”), Sam Nyambe, a 48-year-old financier immigrant from Zambia, is behind Donald Trump.

For what? Due to “Christian values” of the New York businessman and his opposition to abortion rights.

Further south, in the equally crucial state of Pennsylvania (north-east), night fell on the Philadelphia Art Museum, whose steps, lit by blue lights, entered posterity thanks to Sylvester Stallone in a scene from « Rocky ».

The slogan « Vote for Freedom » (“Vote for Freedom”) parades on blue and red light columns of the building, while at the top of the steps, a large banner « A President for All » (“A president for all”) dominates the stage where Ms. Harris must speak, « Kamala » as his fans call him at campaign rallies.

“It’s still astonishing that this race is so close, because (Donald Trump) is a habitual criminal and he has such a way of talking to women…”nearly chokes on Trish Kilby, 60, who grew up in Pennsylvania and works in the wine industry in California.

On the t-shirts sold in Philadelphia, invaded by an impressive crowd of supporters, we can read « Madame Vice President » whose prefix « Vice » is crossed out.

Yes Trump gagne, “we’re screwed”

“Tomorrow we will elect the first woman president”tells AFP Luke Little, a 24-year-old waiter who nevertheless says he ” worried “.

Same feeling from Robin Matthews, 50-year-old association leader, “cautiously optimistic but worried” car “if (Kamala Harris) doesn’t win, we’re screwed”.

For his 16-year-old son, Asher, what is at stake in this historic election simply comes down to “the preservation of our democratic system”.

A poll in October by public radio NPR assured that 88% of voters supporting Donald Trump believed in electoral fraud, compared to 29% of supporters of Kamala Harris.

Thus, Chuck Lu, a trader who emigrated from China to Chicago, firmly believes that Ms. Harris will not be able to win without cheating.

If she enters the White House on January 20, “she will not have been elected but placed there”he assures.

This electric climate of fracture and distrust worries Roxana Rohe, a 42-year-old professor who came with her two daughters to listen to the vice-president.

“Trump is already saying the election was stolen from him, before it even happened”she sighs.

burs-nr/aem