
When reporters spend time in Erie, sitting down and talking to the people who actually live and work in the area, they find Trump support still strong, contrary to what some media figures believe, especially those who haven’t bothered to visit. If you live in Washington, D.C., New York or Los Angeles it’s easy to generalize from the perspective of coastal cities:
… life is much different in those cities than it is in Erie. And many of those same reporters and strategists don’t know anyone who lives in Erie. They don’t know anyone who owns a gun, goes hunting, or sits in a pew every Sunday.
In New York City or Washington DC jobs are plentiful, the main streets are filled with a variety of stores, restaurants, coffee shops and there are lines to get in all of them. And there are more jobs than people. In the Eries of this country their main streets are filled with shuttered businesses, abandoned homes. The scars of the opioid crisis are everywhere and good jobs are scarce.
Of course, even the Erie Times News still holds an editorial position that reflects the blue state model and, unsurprisingly, endorses Democrats for both Erie mayor and county executive. Evidently, the desire for a change of direction still strong with area voters and evidenced by Trump’s victory last November, is resisted in the offices of our local paper.
Area voters, on the other hand, see the constant criticism from the press as the last gasp of those who see their power and influence in decline:
They know Trump is not perfect, but they also know that what they have been voting for, for years isn’t either.
As long as he does not become part of the swamp they voted against, they still have his back.
Erie County voters this Tuesday will again have a voice in deciding where we go from here. Will it be more of the same that got us into this situation, or will we begin to try something new. We already know where the old model goes, maybe it’s time for a change in leadership.
Chris says
Generally, if the Erie Times supports a candidate, it is an indicator one should vote for the opponent.