Spike Lee watches as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul casts her vote for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris during the Democratic National Convention, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
CHICAGO (AP) — Roll call votes at the convention can be staid and cheesy, but Democrats turned their vote Tuesday into the ultimate dance party.
DJ Cassidy took the stage in a royal blue satin double-breasted suit and played a special song for each state and territory awarding their delegates to Vice President Kamala Harris. What America got was a mashup of an elite karaoke night: “Lose Yourself” by Detroit native Eminem for Michigan and “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys for Massachusetts.
Georgia brought one of its locals with him: Atlanta’s Lil Jon strode through Chicago’s United Center to the beats of “Turn Down for What,” his song with DJ Snake.
In short, Democrats were determined to bring the party into the political party as part of a broader effort to project joy and positive energy, even as they issued dire warnings that they must defeat Republican candidate Donald Trump.
The party last used a video roll call feature during the pandemic-limited 2020 convention, where Rhode Island famously showcased its state dish of calamari, increasing pressure to do something bigger this year. (The chef holding the iconic tray of calamari later turned out to be a Trump supporter.)
This year’s roll call vote included the party’s rising political stars, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. Film director Spike Lee represented New York, while actor Sean Astin, who starred in the Notre Dame football movie “Rudy,” accompanied the Indiana delegation.
The choice of music was a bit of a risk. At the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, delegates infamously circled to “Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix)” by Spanish pop duo Los del Río. Nearly three decades later, videos of the Macarena still circulate among diehard politicians.
Florida’s delegation played Tom Petty’s anthem to stubbornness, “I Won’t Back Down,” as it nominated its delegates for Harris – a none-too-subtle jab at the state’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis. Petty was born in the city of Gainesville, Florida. DeSantis used the song as the theme for his failed Republican presidential primary this election cycle, and it was the name of a Super PAC that gave money liberally to his losing cause.
“Florida is worth fighting for,” said state Democratic Chairwoman Nikki Fried, arguing that her state is worth the effort of state Democrats to campaign for, even though it is moving sharply to the right and will likely vote for Trump in November.
Alabama, of course, got “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Alaska announced its support for Vice President Kamala Harris to “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man, a band from Wasilla, where Republican Sarah Palin was once mayor.
Minnesota chose “1999” by Prince of Paisley Park. Indiana, with Astin on the mic, played “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson of Gary. Nevada played “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, the synth-pop band from Las Vegas. Kansas played “Carry On My Wayward Son” by the rock band Kansas. New Jersey played “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen.
“Nothing can stop us now when we get a groove on,” said DJ Cassidy about Springsteen’s anthem.
Under Democratic Party rules, only Harris collected enough signatures to be nominated as the nominee. Votes for other people or uncommitted votes were counted as “present” during the virtual roll call earlier this month. Tuesday night’s “celebration” vote will follow the overall result of the earlier roll call.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore speaks during the state’s roll call at the Democratic National Convention, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
North Carolina casts its vote for Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris during the Democratic National Convention, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro casts his vote for Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris during the Democratic National Convention, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
San Francisco Mayor London Breed attends the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. (Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Ohio casts its vote for Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris during the Democratic National Convention, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
DJ Cassidy speaks during Roll Call at the Democratic National Convention, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
