From Bernie's brother to 'Breaking Bad,' the best moments from the Democratic roll call
PHILADELPHIA — The roll calls at nominating conventions are a quadrennial joy, a chance for every state in the nation to brag about former and potential future presidents and products, from Pez to Gore-Tex. After a Republican convention whose highlights included the candidate’s children announcing the votes that put their father over the delegate threshold, it seemed the Democratic roll call might be overshadowed. But it had its notable moments. Here are a few:
Family affair
In what was probably the most emotional moment of the roll call vote, Bernie Sanders’ brother Larry acknowledged their parents, ”who would be immensely proud of their son and his accomplishments.” Sanders, who lives in the United Kingdom, was speaking for the delegation of Democrats Abroad. Both Sanders brothers were failing in their attempts to hold back tears as Larry continued. “They loved the New Deal of Franklin Roosevelt, and they’d be especially proud that Bernard is renewing that vision. It is with enormous pride that I cast my votes for Bernie Sanders.”
A long wait
Jerry Emmett was an honorary delegate within the Arizona delegation, and for good reason. At 102, she was born before any women in America had the right to vote, and she lived to voice her support for the first female major party nominee in American history. Emmett, who described herself as a lifelong “good Democrat” in an interview with the Phoenix Sun Times, has a spare bedroom in her home dedicated to Clinton, and she has an inaugural dress picked out just in case.
“In honor of Dorothy and Hugh’s daughter”
In another emotional moment on the floor, Illinois delegate Betsy Ebeling cast the state’s votes for Clinton. Why is that notable? Eberling has been friends with the Democratic nominee since they were children in the Chicago suburbs. “My sweet friend, I know you’re watching,” said Ebeling, choking up. “This one’s for you, Hill. 98 votes cast.”
They know it’s about meth, right?
The New Mexico delegation proudly boasted that it’s the home of “Breaking Bad,” the award-winning AMC series about a high school teacher who turns to drug dealing. It was not the first “Bad” reference in political news so far this cycle: Actor Steven Michael Quezada, who played DEA Agent Steven Gomez in the show, was successful in his bid to win the Democratic primary for a county commissioner seat in Bernalillo County in the Land of Enchantment. (And yes, co-star Bryan Cranston helped his campaign.)
Pick your home state pop-culture hero
The most popular celebrity at both conventions was the late, great Prince, who received shout-outs from both the Republican and Democratic delegations from Minnesota. (The Democratic delegation described themselves as being from “The land of Purple Rain” Tuesday, meaning that the pop legend has apparently ascended past a multitude of lakes on the importance list.) In what might be a convention first, Maine bragged about being the home state of author Stephen King.
Bernie finishes the job
During the alphabetical roll call vote, Vermont initially skipped its place in order. The reason? Sanders had joined the delegation to cast the final votes for Clinton, who had technically passed the threshold for delegates needed earlier in the night. After taking the microphone and letting the wave of “Bernie!” chants subside, Sanders — who had heartily endorsed Clinton in his Monday night address — finished off the roll call. “I move that Hillary Clinton be selected as the nominee of the Democratic Party for president of the United States.”
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