Darrell Ann Murphy, an 83-year-old retiree, feels a mix of relief, gratitude, and a bit of frustration about the news.
“Wow, we’re losing Joe Biden,” she said, expressing her sadness. Biden, in her eyes, was someone who genuinely cared about the middle class and beyond.
Murphy, who spends her time teaching Mahjong to fellow seniors, gathered her friends for a game at her Easton home, just as she did five months ago when we first visited.
Back then, three out of the four women believed Biden was fit for the job and that criticism of his age was unfair. Now, all four agree that Biden, at 81, is making the right move by stepping away from the campaign.
“Surprise and relief” is how Catherine Long described her reaction.
She believes the decision was ultimately Biden’s, though she disliked how others pressured him to step down. Mary Ann Horvath shared similar feelings of relief and “much less anxiety.”
Noticing Biden’s Struggles
These voters, all above 70 and living in a key presidential county, have always been reliable voters.
They noticed Biden struggling with incomplete thoughts, mixing up names, and moving slower.
Murphy mentioned, “Past 80, things can change on a dime,” showing empathy but also understanding the challenges Biden faced.
Renewed Energy but Tough Road Ahead
The mood among Democrats has shifted. Before Biden’s decision, morale was low, and losing seemed likely.
Now, there’s a newfound energy, though everyone knows Harris faces a tough battle in Pennsylvania.
Pamela Aita, the conservative voice in the Mahjong group, doubted that many men would vote for Harris.
But Murphy is confident Harris will do better than Hillary Clinton did in 2016. She believes times have changed, especially with issues like reproductive rights.
Murphy also suggested Harris pick Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro as her running mate, praising his intelligence and focus.
Support from Local Activists
Local civil rights activist Marvin Boyer, a lifelong resident of Easton, sees strong support for Harris, especially among Black women. High Black voter turnout in cities like Easton and Bethlehem is crucial.
Boyer, an independent who usually votes Democrat, thinks Harris is ready for the challenge of facing Trump.
“There’s still racism, misogyny in this country in 2024, no question,” Boyer said. He hopes America can overcome these issues enough to elect Harris.
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Is America Ready for a Woman of Color?
Larry Malinconico, a geology professor at Lafayette College, hopes America is ready for a woman of color as president. He’s optimistic, seeing early support and contributions to the Democrats after the Harris announcement.
He also believes younger voters, who were skeptical about Biden, will rally behind Harris.
Malinconico’s initial support for Biden waned over the spring, and the debate sealed his change of heart. He saw Biden struggling and felt it was time for someone else to take over.
Harris Needs to Show Strength
Pat Levin, almost 95 and still active, believes performance, not age, is what matters.
She admired Biden but eventually saw his struggles. Levin’s advice for Harris is to be active, show enthusiasm, and communicate strongly. Harris, she believes, has the intelligence, confidence, and stamina to win over voters.
The Stakes Are High
Levin, who has been politically active since Franklin Roosevelt’s third term, sees this election as crucial for democracy. She warns that losing could mean the end of free and fair elections in America.
Levin, preparing to vote in her 19th presidential election, has never seen anything like this candidate switch so close to an election.
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