Credit: Elizabeth Fisher/LevittownNow.com
Amidst the fireworks that light up the 2020 presidential election campaigns, there exists a little island of peace in Bristol Borough, where next-door neighbors with opposing political views are having some fun. Call it a friendly competition in which the only clashes come in the form of flags, banners, and yard signs.
West Circle residents are generally more discreet about which party they support in any election season. But Chuck Mitchell’s front yard is awash in color and message, leaving no doubt he’s a supporter of the Republican incumbent President Donald Trump.
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The first Trump/Pence sign put out by Mitchell late in the summer was followed a few days later by a Biden sign on neighbor and friend Mary Ann Smoyer’s property. Mitchell took that as a good-natured taunt. There followed on both lawns a flurry of flags, signs, and banners, ending with signs near each property’s curb line promoting congressional candidates.
Levity, however, does not diminish dead-on political persuasions of the duo.
Smoyer is firm in her belief that former Vice President Joe Biden is the man for the White House.
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“He has been my vote forever,” she said.
For Smoyer, Biden’s 47-year service in government gives the Democrat challenger the savvy and experience to assume the job of commander in chief. Along with his experience, Smoyer believes Biden’s restrained demeanor contrasts sharply to Trump’s more abrasive approach to issues.
“I was happy Joe Biden got the nomination. I watched the debate and I came away with a dignified man, fit to represent me and my country. His dignity, truthfulness, decorum and morality make him a good role model, especially for the young people,” Smoyer said.
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Mitchell, who regularly attends Trump rallies, finds the president a man of his word who has lived up to promises made, promises kept platform.
“I like what the president has done. I’ve been following him for the past 25 years, since the time I saw him on a talk show discussing even then the issues he brought up when he descended the escalator in 2015,” Mitchell said.
Those issues included immigration, the economy, infrastructure, defeating terrorism, and building a wall along the Mexican border. And as both candidates wrestle over the response to COVID-19, Mitchell said he believes the president has acted appropriately.
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He added that at each rally he’s participated in – both vehicle and street gatherings with numbers ranging from 100 to 1,000 participants – he’s seen a lot of positive support from passersby who honk or give a thumbs up. He dismisses reports that Trump is losing support of suburban women.
“I see plenty of women who drive by and honk horns while giving us a thumbs up. Sometimes they’ll turn back to pass again to show support,” he said.
About their conclusions on the recent final debate, well, call it a draw. Each believes their own man won. But both Smoyer and Mitchell declared that differing political affiliations will disrupt longstanding friendship.
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Several other Bucks County residents who watched the recent final debate gave it mixed reviews on content.
Newtown Township resident Betty Milligan, a Trump supporter, said she was disappointed that neither candidate offered a clear picture of what the future held under their prospective administrations.
“It was better than the last debate but we still don’t know what direction our country will take. I don’t think it lived up to past presidential debates. I’m voting for Trump and nothing I heard will change my mind,” Milligan said.
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Amy McIlvaine, a Bristol Borough resident, expressed her support for Biden more succinctly.
“The president’s team did a good job of getting him ready for the debate, but Biden is making the case why he should be elected president,” McIlvaine said.
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