New Brunswickers say United States election is important to Canadians

FREDERICTON – Donald Trump, president of the United States, watched anxiously on election day, Nov. 3, as the votes rolled in, leaning towards a Republican lead. But as the mail-in ballots were counted, key swing states like Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania started turning blue.

Joe Biden was called by the media on Nov. 7 as president-elect of the United States with Kamala Harris as vice-president-elect. Harris will be the first female vice-president when Biden-Harris government takes over the White House.

“I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but unify,” said Biden on CNN.

Pints and politics

But before the election was called, New Brunswickers bonded over $5 pints and U.S politics at Rusti.Co and King West Brewing in downtown Fredericton on election day.

Televisions with election results filing in lined the wall above the bar. Captivated faces stared at the screen and erupted in cheers every time a state turned Democratic blue.

Kenzie Acheson, St. Thomas University third-year student, sat along the bar with a wood-fired pizza and kept her eyes glued to the screen.

“I don’t think it’s acceptable in this day and age to duck your head in the sand and pretend that if you don’t know about it, that it’s not happening,” said Acheson. “I think there’s no excuse at this point for people to not take the initiative and educate themselves about what’s going on in the world.”

Acheson said they felt optimistic but started preparing themselves for the worst. They said economic decisions made by Trump have a ripple effect in Canada.

They said the election could go either way.

“I think if it goes south, we might be on the edge of a moment in global history,” said Acheson.

U.S. and Canadian politics collide

Among the crowds of individuals enjoying their meals while anticipating the finalized announcements of swing states sat Shawn Graham, the 31st premier of New Brunswick and elected Liberal party leader in 2002.

Although Graham resigned as Liberal leader in 2010, his interest in politics remained apparent as he held his Joe Biden flag and offered extra flags to nearby tables.

“This is a historic night not only for Canada and the U.S. relationship, but also around the world,” said Graham. “This is really going to change the trajectory of how international diplomacy is going to be carried out.”

Graham said as a liberal and a centrist, he was rooting for a democratic win.

What happens now?

And his wish came true. The election lasted five days and when the president-elect winner was announced, crowds of Americans took to the streets armed with pride flags, Biden-Harris signs and black lives matter apparel.

The inauguration will take place on Jan. 20 at noon.

The Biden-Harris government now form a transition team where they prepare to assume power.

Trump called fraud and has threatened legal repercussions against several blue states. A pro-Trump rally occurred at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 13. The “Million MAGA March” brought violence including 20 arrests, one stabbing and two police injuries. Unlike the crowds that gathered after the election was called, the pro-Trump crowd were without-masks.

Trump refused to acknowledge his loss of the election, claiming fraud and having his supporters echo this sentiment.

“I won this election, by a lot,” Trump tweeted after the declaration of the election result. He continued, telling his followers millions of mail-in ballots were sent to those who didn’t ask for them.

“71,000,000 legal votes. The most ever for a sitting president.”

 

Video includes footage from 11Alive, CNBC Television and C-Span