Banners and signs don’t vote

We are door knocking in Uniontown, Pa. Two prominent brick homes display 10-foot banners. One says “Harris-Walz.” The other screams, “ULTRA MAGA-VOTE TRUMP!” Rounding the corner, a smaller home’s banner taunts, “Make Liberals Cry-Trump Again in 2024.” We visit a 60-something man in his driveway. He says he hasn’t voted for years and is no longer registered. He lives on Social Security disability. “I don’t care what the politicians do,” he says. “What will happen will happen. I have my hole picked out.” We gently suggest that what politician is elected could determine what happens to the government program under which he survives. We thank him for his time. A while later, we knock on the door of a registered Democrat across the street. The man’s brother walks down the driveway toward us. He tells us the woman that lived there is now in a nursing home. She was being cared for by a niece in her 50s who tragically died of cancer. He says he used to cut their lawn before it became too hard for him. We recount the discussion with his brother. The brother has had brain aneurisms and other health problems. “I take care of him,” says the man, likely in his 60s. We talk about life and jobs. He’s a retired construction worker and a member of the Teamsters. “We did pretty well because we stuck together,” he said. “I think Kamala Harris is smart and would be a good president because she cares about middle-class people like us.” He says many of his fellow Teamsters agree, even though their international union has voted “no endorsement.” Banners and signs don’t vote. Between the prevalent Trump signs in this welcoming Western Pennsylvania neighborhood are enthusiastic Democrats, independents and some Republicans, too, young and old, who are more quietly voting for Kamala Harris. They and their families are struggling, cooperating and sticking together like the Teamster who warmed our day. This area was once a Democratic stronghold. That dominance is gone in this corner of Steeler Nation, whose flags will be here after most of the others come down. The presidential race? It’s everyone’s guess, the angst and hope of millions. Back to work.

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