New England, according to the convention delegates
How delegates shouted out their states at the Republican and Democratic conventions.
Feeling withdrawals—or hungover—after two weeks of conventions? That’s nothing a little New England pride can’t cure.
Though it was essentially only a formality this year, some of the most energized and unique moments of the Republican and Democratic conventions occurred during the roll call votes, in which the parties formally nominated their respective presidential candidates.
More specifically, some of those moments occurred during each delegation’s often lofty, often braggy introductions of their state on the convention hall floor. Of course, all delegates are proud of their states—some just in very different ways.
In brief, Connecticut has an eclectic manufacturing industry, both Maine delegations think they’re “rugged,” and Rhode Island Republicans would like everyone to know their government is corrupt.
But see for yourself:
Connecticut
GOP:
“I come from the land where we manufacture Pez, nuclear submarines, and home of the WWE, where men are men and the women are champions.”
Dems:
“Connecticut, the Constitution State, with a Democratic governor, and as the country has seen through the last few weeks, a walkout, a sit-in, and a filibuster, we have the most aggressive and progressive delegation in the Congress.”
“We are the college home of the former and next president of the United States, but most importantly the home of the pizza and the hamburger.“
“We are the first state to answer the president’s call on raising the minimum wage that our next president, Hillary Clinton, will expand on. Recognize that this state with the most successful implementation of Obamacare in the country — Yes! — that was the first idea of our next president Hillary Clinton.”
Connecticut votes during the roll call of states last week during the Republican convention.
Maine
GOP:
“The great state of Maine, home of rugged coastlines, beautiful forests, pristine lakes; home of Republican Governor Paul LePage, Senator Susan Collins, and Congressman Bruce Poliquin; a state that only has one remaining Democratic federal elected official; a state that began the Republican revival in America’s Northeast, and is leading the way to make New England great again; a state that’s led with welfare reforms, spending and tax cuts, strong second amendment rights, and has made Maine work again with GOP leadership.”
Dems:
“Known for our rugged independence and relentless Yankee work ethic, Mainers stand up for their neighbors. Our traditions run as deep as our forests.
We are loggers and lobstermen, farmers and fisherman. Home of Acadia, Longfellow, L.L. Bean, and Stephen King. Maine has not voted for a Republican in nearly three decades. As Maine goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the nation for a Democratic president.”
Massachusetts
GOP:
“The state that outperformed every other state, but one, in strongest votes to make America great again.”
Dems:
“I am honored to stand here today representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where since the colonists dumped tea in Boston Harbor, we have worked for the common good, because we know that we are stronger together.”
“We were first in public education, first in universal healthcare, and the first state in the nation to pass equal rights for all. From John Adams to John Kennedy and beyond, we have fought for those without a voice, for those in need, and for all Americans.”
“Just as we were in 1775, we are ready to fight for our nation, our liberty, and the rights of every American to have the country and the future they deserve.”
New Hampshire
GOP:
“I represent the people of the great state of New Hampshire, the Live Free or Die State; a state that has no sales or income tax; and a state that was the first to recognize Donald J. Trump, and deliver the first victory on his behalf on a path to 38 victories he achieved.”
Dems:
“New Hampshire, where we bring Democrats together; home of the town of Unity, where Hillary Clinton endorsed Barack Obama in 2008, and home of the city of Portsmouth, where Bernie Sanders endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016.”
“New Hampshire, the Granite State, proud of electing Democratic women leaders; we celebrate senior Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Congresswoman Annie Kuster and Carol Shea-Porter, and this fall we look forward to sending granite strong Governor Maggie Hassen to the U.S. Senate. And winning our governor’s race for the seventh straight election. And we will turn blue in the presidential race.”
Corey Lewandowski, the former campaign manager of Donald Trump, announces the votes for New Hampshire during the the Republican convention roll call.
Rhode Island
GOP:
“Roger Williams founded the colony of Rhode Island in 1631 based on principles of complete religious toleration, separation of church and state, and political democracy, values the United States would after be founded upon.”
“We are the Ocean State and it is absolutely beautiful back home. Unfortunately, government is not working in Rhode Island for the people, as the state is run by a corrupt Democrat political machine for the last 80 years.“
“In our state we are constantly ranked near the bottom, recently ranked 50th-worst in terms of our business friendly climate. Democratic leadership in our state has been rampant with corruption, lack of transparency, and unethical conduct, which makes it no surprise that the Democratic presidential nominee is supported by each and every one Rhode Island’s state Democratic leadership.”
“It should therefore come as no surprise that Rhode Island delivered, sorry Jersey, the largest margin of victory in a three-way race with the most amount of votes cast in the history of a Republican primary with over 64 percent for Donald J. Trump.”
Dems:
“Rhode Island, proud home of the great senators, Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressmen David Cicilline and James Langevin; home of outstanding beaches and coastline, some of the best in the world; great companies CVS, Textron, Hasbro, and now GE; a state that has proudly recently elected its first female governor, Gina Raimondo; the smallest state in the union with one of the biggest hearts; home of the best restaurants in the country, great quality of life, and great people.”
Vermont
GOP:
“From the great state of Vermont, home of Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States was nominated in Cleveland in 1924 with his running mate from Ohio, Charles Dodge, from Marietta, Ohio.”
“One of Calvin Coolidge’s many quotes: ‘Don’t expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.'”
Dems:
“On behalf of the great state of Vermont, a state that helped fight and win the Revolution that gave birth to our United States of America; the state that helped fight and win the political revolution of 2016, thanks to our Senator Bernie Sanders; a state whose leaders denounced demagoguery of Joseph McCarthy, and who today whose leaders like Madeleine Kunin, Howard Dean, Peter Welch, and our own Senator Leahy speak out against the modern day McCarthy, Donald Trump.”
“On the behalf of the home state of Senator Bernie Sanders, who has changed the trajectory of this country in a way that will make the lives of working Americans better for generation to come.”
Members of the Maine delegation cheer as the roll call vote is held during the second day of the Republican convention last week.
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