Saturday, November 23, 2024

Trump’s pet-eating debate moment the talk of the town in swing state Pennsylvania – even if supporters can’t see the funny side

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It’s the talk of the town.

I passed a couple walking their dog in Doylestown, Bucks County, nodded hello and complemented their pet.

They responded that they planned to “eat him for breakfast”.

It’s how the moment of the presidential debate has gone down here – comedy gold, even if it isn’t everyone who sees the funny side.

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‘They’re eating pets in Springfield’

Follow the latest on the Trump v Harris debate reaction here

Sharon Thomas was out for an organised “scenic stroll,” taking in the morning sunshine with fellow retirees.

A supporter of Kamala Harris, she told me: “I’m still amazed that people still support Trump after all the crazy things we heard last night… eating pets, that craziness makes me uncomfortable.”

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Bucks County is the most competitive of the so-called “collar counties”, buttoned around Philadelphia.

In the state of Pennsylvania, it’s where suburbia swings.

They have voted Democrat here in every election since 1992, but it’s now home to more registered Republicans than Democrats.

I spoke to Pat Gilluli, a builder who was putting a roof on a house being built near the centre of Doylestown.

The Republican voter wasn’t impressed by Kamala Harris but acknowledged a considerable weakness in the man he’ll be voting for, Donald Trump.

Pat Gilluli, a builder, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Image:
Pat Gilluli is voting for Trump

“He’s a lunatic,” he said, of Trump’s remarks on immigrants eating dogs.

“You have to either accept him as that and [accept] that he’s a good businessman and I believe he can run the country better than Democrats can, but there are certain things that come along with him.

“So, you either have to accept that or throw your vote away and vote for the Green Party or someone else that’s not going to get elected.”

It is the resilience of Donald Trump. His supporters recognise the downside, and yet, he remains the candidate they see as best positioned to deliver the politics they want.

Read more:
‘No credible evidence’ to Trump’s pet claims
Debate was confrontation Trump has rarely faced

A Donald Trump sign in Bucks County, Pennsylvania

For them, that remains the priority come the election – no matter the boundaries pushed by Trump in the way he performs his politics.

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