The tension and excitement were palpable on Tuesday evening at the INOX bar in Quebec City on the occasion of American election night, where more than a hundred people gathered to encourage, in an overwhelming majority, the Democratic camp.
“History is being written tonight, regardless of the outcome of the vote!” feverishly said the owner of the microbrewery, Philippe Desrosiers, a few hours before the ballot counting.
The restaurateur had organized a similar evening which was all the rage in 2016, during the American presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, where the latter was finally elected. In 2020, the event could not take place due to the pandemic.
The INOX bar had to open its second floor due to the enthusiasm for election night. PHOTO CREDIT: Jérémy Bernier
Photo by Jérémy Bernier
“On the one hand, you potentially have the country’s first female and African-American president. On the other, a potential first president guilty of crimes. It’s going to be interesting!” adds the one who does not hide his penchant for the vice-president.
The latest polls placed the two candidates neck and neck, the day before the vote. The poll compiler 270 to Win, however, predicted a slim popular vote lead of 1.2% for Kamala Harris.
The vast majority of customers were in favor of Kamala Harris.
Marcel Tremblay / Agence QMI
A “nightmare” that never ends
Faced with such a close race, political enthusiasts rushed to the licensed establishment on Grande Allée to follow the count.
The enthusiasm was such that the bar had to open its second floor to accommodate the growing flow of customers, the majority hoping for a victory for the left.
Alexandre Boutet and Maxime Routhier are closely following the result of the American election, hoping for a Democratic victory.
Photo by Jérémy Bernier
“When [Trump] was elected in 2020 and after the storming of the Capitol, I felt like I was living in a nightmare. Eight years later, I can’t believe it’s tight,” complains Maxime Routhier.
For his part, Alexandre Boutet believes that we must take notes of the situation in which the Americans find themselves to avoid making the same mistakes here.
Excitement was at its height when the votes were counted.
Marcel Tremblay / Agence QMI
“It didn’t happen overnight and it’s just across the border. You have to be attentive to what is happening because the result [du vote] will certainly have an impact on us,” he emphasizes.
Less counter-power
Many also fear the decisions that Donald Trump could make if he enters the White House.
“We certainly have concerns,” says Francis Doyon, who came to join friends for the occasion.
Marie-Claude Yergeau and Francis Doyon, although more to the right politically, can’t stand Donald Trump anymore.
Photo by Jérémy Bernier
“Last time, our fears were minimized because there was a counter-power to oppose what Trump wanted to pass. There, it will be different,” he continues.
Remember that the 45e President of the United States had appointed numerous Republican judges during his last term, thereby putting the second counter-power of the United States in his pocket.
This is the second time that Philippe Desrosiers, owner of INOX, has organized an evening like this.
Marcel Tremblay / Agence QMI
What they said
“After all his crimes and scandals, how [Trump] can he still be presidential?
“With a more moderate candidate, who is not always lying and insulting everyone, it would be more comfortable to be on the right.”
“Tonight, we are experiencing a big test of democratic structure. I can’t wait to see what happens in the coming days.”
“Everything will come down to the vote of women, young people and African-American communities.”
