In Pennsylvania, election-weary locals find relief in Belgian beer – POLITICO

The other side is usually less vocal, but is just as narrow-minded. On her weeknight show on MSNBC, progressive commentator Joy Reid makes no significant effort to balance her views or those of her anti-Trump guests. She told viewers that Trump was a dangerous “criminal on parole awaiting sentencing” who “openly fantasized about violent retaliation” against his opponents.

The main actors in this election drama are hardly better. In recent days, Harris called Trump a fascist and Trump described her as a “scumbag.” Despite being shot, Trump suggested last week that Republican Liz Cheney, who supports Harris, should confront the guns “shooting” at her to see if that curbs her appetite for military intervention.

True blue

In the city of Philadelphia, most voters will support Harris. Blue Democratic Party yard signs are scattered on the sun-drenched streets of the central part of the city, next to posters that read, “Hate does not make us great.”

Most European Union officials watching the contest from Brussels, as well as the majority of EU and British politicians, will share Philadelphia's view. The city, said to have been founded by Swedes, has a lot of European flair, including Italian influences, German beer bars and a French brasserie called Parc.

Aside from the big city, however, Pennsylvania has a different character as most communities proudly wear their Republican red. Trump has many passionate fans in this state of 13 million residents. When they vote this week, they will be back where it all began.

Philadelphia is the birthplace of American democracy. The Declaration of Independence was adopted here in 1776, followed by the Constitution of the United States in 1787. The inner city district where these significant steps were taken is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.