SCRANTON, Pa. — A plaque marks President Joe Biden's childhood home on North Washington Avenue in Scranton.
A little piece of history Jim Wassmuth just so happened to miss when he moved in a few houses down in 2020.
"The thing is, I didn't know was moving into the neighborhood of where Joe Biden grew up, the Scranton scrapper," says Wassmuth.
So, Biden's first visit back home came as quite a surprise for Wassmuth. As did the news of President Biden backing out of the 2024 election on Sunday.
"I'm really surprised; I really thought Joe Biden was going to stick it out," said Wassmuth.
David Evans has lived on Biden's street for 40 years- and has seen the president visit a number of times. While he says he's not a Joe Biden supporter, he's sad to see him go out this way.
"This is nothing more than elder abuse, what they did to him. He's old yes, he can still think. Is he slow, and sometimes he forgets? I'm 71, and I do the same thing, maybe not as much. But he shouldn't have been forced to do what he did, in my opinion," said Evans.
No matter which way neighbors vote, they say the significance President Biden has here in Scranton will last much longer than the four years of his presidency.>
"It's a good thing for the city and the democrats in the city and neighbors. Sometimes it gets hectic, but it is what it is," said Evans.
As these neighbors area uncertain of where exactly things will stand, come November.
"I would've liked to have seen him stay. That party would've had a chance at winning I don't know if he has one now," said Evans.
"I don't see how the democrats are going to get their word across and do it in a way that's cohesive and just plain blunt," said Wassmuth.