In retrospect, Trump's victory and the fall of the Blue Wall in 2016 could have been predicted by a quick visit to a diner in Philadelphia. Not just talking "
Head to head, Trump and Biden in the state of Pennsylvania // Photo: Reuters, AP
What is the difference between the 2016 election and the 2020 election?
Come to the "Mayper" diner in Philadelphia and you will see that in terms of politics - nothing, but in terms of atmosphere - everything.
Four years ago I visited the place a few days before the election.
The place shouted Trump to the skies, despite the fact that it is located in the heart of a democratic city.
In retrospect, one could feel the collapse of Clinton's 'blue wall' already there.
The place was crowded and diners enthusiastically devoured the eggs, pancakes and fried potatoes.
The big enthusiasm was from the food, but even more so from candidate Trump.
Polls predicted Hillary would win - but I hardly saw anyone support her.
I went back to the place yesterday.
The waitress asks me to wait outside.
There are more empty dining tables, due to the distance restrictions and occupancy of the place.
I'm waiting outside next to a group of young people.
The laws in place are tough because of city and county regulations.
Chief waitress Jerry became the chief seatwoman.
"Trump is blamed for everything"
"Four years ago I had a visit from you that revealed to me the election results in Pennsylvania and America in general," I tell her, wondering, "This time too?"
Jerry has a hard time determining.
"It's very hard to know, everything has changed. Look around. Understand, economics and livelihoods are very important to the people here. Economy is a mood. Trump is not to blame in Corona, but it's his shift," she says, thus perhaps summing up the difference compared to 2016, and especially the confusion. And the gloom.
The Corona has made the feast day of democracy a different kind of day, specifically in America - the eternal optimist.
There are also echoes of the violent incident from last week, in which a young black man was shot to death by police officers after swinging a knife at them, and on top of that, the fear of violence caused by the election results floated.
You can see in front of the diner that some of the shops already have wooden boards that will protect the windows from shattering and looting.
"So what, Biden will win?", I ask Jerry.
"What the hell?", She replies, "Do you know how many people like Trump here, even in Philadelphia?".
"In everything that happens here - the Democrats blame Trump," says Lee Evelyn, who is dining with her husband.
Her husband Lori, 75, tells her it's better not to talk politics.
Jerry, the head waitress, also tells me, "Look, I'm a redhead and I'm not afraid of anything - but in today's climate in America I prefer our restaurant not to talk politics."
Jerry is unwilling to reveal her own vote.
She's just saying that Trump's style is disturbing, and so is the way he talks about the corona.
I'm asking Jerry who's more popular with clients she's seen in the last month.
"Trump!", She replies immediately, "no doubt. Biden can be appreciated at best, but Trump is really loved. You have to see his fans here in the restaurant."
I also meet Christine, who tells me she's democratic "but thinks Biden is gray."
She believes Trump will win, despite her distaste for him.
"The man has done a lot for America, the man is not just talking. Before the Corona we saw what he is capable of doing, so I as a Democrat tell you he will rehabilitate the economy. Biden is not really capable."
Christine works at a pharmacy not far from the diner, in the area of the blue-collar class, which this year, she claims, is turning its back on the Democratic Party.
"100 percent of what I hear in the pharmacy is just support for Trump," she says.