The RNC in Pictures: The Delegates by Grant Cornett
The RNC in Pictures: The Delegates by Grant Cornett
1 minute read
Justin James Rojek, Mountgomery, Ala.
"The issues that are important to me are certainly all of the social and moral issues of the day: abortion, homosexual marriage, all of those things, as well as the economy is certainly of grave importance, as well as our national defense. "Grant Cornett for TIME
Throughout the year, political pundits have obsessed over delegates, the people who come to the Republican National Convention from every state to vote for their party’s nominee. Before the convention, they were faceless numbers—prizes to be won in primaries. In Tampa, they’ve proven to be a diverse and enthusiastic cast of characters, coming from a wide variety of occupations and age groups.
We asked each one to tell us about the most vital issues at stake in this year’s election. Most are obsessed with the economy. Some are fixated on the country’s “moral decline.” And a rare few sport wardrobes worthy of the theater (or at least Halloween). Most delegates support Mitt Romney, but there are exceptions holding on to Ron Paul.
Photographer Grant Cornett roamed the convention center in Tampa, capturing members of each delegation. His portraits reveal a cross section of the people who make up the Grand Old Party of 2012.
Katy Steinmetz is a reporter in TIME’s Washington bureau. In addition to working on features for TIME and TIME.com, she contributes to TIME’s Swampland, Healthland and NewsFeed blogs.
Each delegate was asked the following question: "What's the most important issue for this convention?"
Zan Prince, Weatherford, Texas.
"The things that make America great, the lower taxes, less government, all of the policies that make families strong are what really make our country great. Our founding fathers had it right–government ought to be limited and families ought to be strong. Churches ought to be strong."Grant Cornett for TIMEDr. Aaron Klepper, Monroe, La.
"I think what Ron Paul talks about, sound money, gold and silver as legal tender. Because if you don't have a sound currency, it paints everything else evil. You need a non-fluctuating means of exchange, equal weights and measures. If you don't have that exchange, it paints any other issue."Grant Cornett for TIMEKathy Hayden, Roanoke, Va.
"I think it's the most important issue for everybody, but especially women, because we're concerned not only about ourselves but our children and grandchildren."Grant Cornett for TIMEMark Willis, Dennysville, Maine
"We've got so much support back in Maine, and Texas is a big supporter of the Ron Paul Movement, because I don't think they've seen something like the Alamo in a long time, and us holding out and fighting the Romney campaign, and the RNC, is like the Alamo, we're fighting to the very end."Grant Cornett for TIMEMark Uncapher, Bethesda, Md.
"We need to decrease the rate in which spending increases, bringing the amount to the more consistent 20% of GDP that it has been for the last several decades."Grant Cornett for TIMEBeth Boyce, Greenwood, Ind.
"I would say, definitely, jobs and the economy. Putting people back to work and re-directing the course we're on right now, reducing the national debt. I think all economic issues are probably first and foremost on most peoples' minds."Grant Cornett for TIMEGlenn McCall, Rock Hill South Carolina.
"The focus should be the economy and spending and reigning that in and creating jobs for the American people. As you just heard the chairman say, it's so true, we all have family members, friends who are out of work, 23 million plus Americans are unemployed or underemployed. That's number one for the folks that I have talked with, it's jobs, the economy and the future of our country, especially for their kids. I have a daughter who's out of school and can't find work, she's underemployed right now."Grant Cornett for TIMEGeorge Engelback, Hillsboro, Mo.
"We're going to have to balance the budget and then bring jobs back. We're not going to do anything with the economy until we get people working. We've got to many people out of work, or underemployed, or their jobs are not even close to what they were trained for."Grant Cornett for TIMEBrian Kemp, Athens, Ga.
"I think jobs and the economy. Even in Georgia, we're a very fiscally conservative state, and a very good state financially, but even with that we're experiencing tough times. I think getting people back to work is the answer to a lot of those key questions that everybody has and will help solve some of the problems that we have."Grant Cornett for TIMECraig Safranek, Merna, Neb.
"I just think small businesses, getting jobs, lowering EPA regulations so small businesses can thrive."Grant Cornett for TIMEDrury Hoover, Hope, Ark.
"Well, I came to the convention because I got involved in politics not too long ago to be actively involved in the community and they needed people to apply for coming to the convention, and I said, 'I'll do it!' I've taught civics for many years, so this is a culmination of what I did for a living."Grant Cornett for TIMEGopal Krishna, West Des Moines, Iowa.
"The most important issue is to create jobs. As a business person I know how difficult it is for us to run a business without having the economy in good shape."Grant Cornett for TIMECarol Claros, Worcester, Mass.
"I came to the RNC to support auditing the Federal Reserve, that's a very important issue, and having only Congress declare war, and keeping the Internet free and safe from the government."Grant Cornett for TIMERichard 'Shark' Farsten, Middletown, Del.
"I think the most important issue for me, but also the whole country, is the economy. We've got to turn it around. It hasn't turned around at all in four years, and if we don't get it turned around, we're going to be in worse shape. "Grant Cornett for TIMEJustin James Rojek, Mountgomery, Ala.
"The issues that are important to me are certainly all of the social and moral issues of the day: abortion, homosexual marriage, all of those things, as well as the economy is certainly of grave importance, as well as our national defense. "
Grant Cornett for TIMESol Grosskopf, Shawano, Wis.
"I think the most important issue is really the philosophy of what government should and should not be doing. I think the Republican Party needs to continue to articulate a philosophy of limited government, more local control, and a philosophy that looks to the individual, their family, and local communities, not to a federal bureaucrat."Grant Cornett for TIMEJulie Harris Hinson, Louisville, Ky.
"In this election, I really think the deficit, I think we need to be fiscally responsible and I just think that we're going to have to really focus on that."Grant Cornett for TIMETodd Tiahrt, Goddard, Kans.
"My greatest fear is that we have an economic collapse because our government is so big and drowns us so heavily with regulations."
"I think that the mustachioed delegates are more concerned about the economy than the non-mustachioed. That's a fact."Grant Cornett for TIMEJohn Laurie, Gilbert, Ariz.
"I think the single most important thing that we do is maintain the constitutional foundation and recognize the limitations as a party, as that is one of our founding principles, and adhere to that."Grant Cornett for TIMEJesse O'Hara, Great Falls, Mont.
"Well it's awfully important, of course: jobs and the economy. And we think we've got the candidate that is best able to do that. He's an all-American guy, he's been a success in everything he's attempted, and I think we need him at this critical time, it's critically important for somebody who knows what they're doing."Grant Cornett for TIMEChristine Donahue, Monroe, Mich.
"I believe in Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney belives in America. And we need a leader that will take us where we need to be."Grant Cornett for TIMEKeri Brehm, Castle Pines, Colo.
"I think the issues are, number one, of course, the economy. The crushing debt, and the amount of spending that's happening in Washington is very scary to me, because it's unsustainable and I feel like my kids are going to be saddled with all this debt that we're never going to repay. How are they ever going to pay it back? So we need to get control of that. That's the number one reason that I'm here."
Grant Cornett for TIMEMark Zaccaria, North Kingstown, R.I.
"The most important issue that overrides the entire nation is the economic crisis that we face that is so huge and scary that most people wish to avoid it and make believe it ain't so. I credit Congressman Ryan with pummeling the fact to people, and certainly people inside the party, to say, guys, this is the thing that is going to kill us first. Our economic decline presages a decline in all other areas of the culture and so forth, and everything else. Absent some sort of a change in the corporate culture of how we view the economy and how we deal with it, and how we use government, or not, to adjust and exploit that economy and its growth, we are Greece, just bigger."Grant Cornett for TIMESteven Kim, North Brook, Ill.
"I am here at this convention because I believe that the most important issue of the convention, and currently, is the economy, and it's all about jobs, jobs, jobs."Grant Cornett for TIMESalote Lutu, Schuster, Pago, American Samoa
"We would like to make sure, and we're hoping that Romney will succeed, so that put people back to work, to find jobs for these people. I feel that it's the most important issue right now for the country. To put things back where they were, and the economy is very bad right now, and that's one of the reasons that we came in support of Mitt Romney, for a change, for a better life. "Grant Cornett for TIMETyler Lindholm, Sundance, Wyo.
"For Romney at the convention, he needs to reach out to the grassroots activists that were the Ron Paul supporters. He needs to try and reach out to those guys and send a peace flag out, because right now there's not a lot of love for his campaign."Grant Cornett for TIMEMike McMullen, Pittsburgh, Pa.
"There is no perfect candidate, everyone has issues, but at the end of the day, between President Obama and Governor Romney, it's about jobs and the economy, and Governor Romney has been in the private sector with Bain Capital, and at the end of the day he knows how to create jobs. This election is about jobs and the economy."Grant Cornett for TIMEMelissa Valeriano, Rochester, Minn.
"The debt. The spending. Everything that we're doing is actually fueling the fire. Everything that we're doing is making the bubble bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger."Grant Cornett for TIMEBarbara Barnett, St. Albans, W.V.
"Ann Romney, she was wonderful. She brought tears to my eyes."Grant Cornett for TIMETaylor Woodard, Burlington, VT.
"The most prominent issue for me was our national debt. It's growing by the minute, by the hour. It's growing, it's going to get there. Since Obama took office, it went from 14 trillion, to roughly 16 trillion dollars. That's one of the most prominent issues."Grant Cornett for TIMEJames A. Garner, Hempstead, N.Y.
"I think that Mitt Romney needs to stay on point, and the point is to create jobs and build this economy. I think that he needs to stay on message, that's exactly what I think. I've had the privilege of serving on the Homeland Security Advisory Board with Mitt Romney when I was President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. I think he'll make a great President, and I'm hoping that he can win."Grant Cornett for TIMEPollyanne Hawkes, Guthrie, Okla.
"The major issue, beside the fact that we need to get Obama out, is healthcare for senior citizens and healthcare in general. My husband is a Vietnam vet, he's now retired, he's 70 years old, and we're worried that our healthcare is not going to be enough to last us through our retirement. I have MS, I'm home, I'm retired, I can no longer work. And it's very difficult when you're on a fixed income, with Obamacare coming through and everything- our health costs are rising and we just don't have the money to keep going in this direction."Grant Cornett for TIMEKeith Davis, Linwood, N.J.
"Well, no surprise, it's the economy, jobs, and getting this economy moving again. We've had unemployment over 8%, Barack Obama has refused to lead, to get this economy moving again, and I think as you're going to hear tonight from Paul Ryan, and on Thursday from Mitt Romney, you're going to hear from two candidates who have a plan and a commitment to get this economy moving again."Grant Cornett for TIMEPhilip Hogen, Black Hawk, S.D.
"Well, the troubled economy, and the desperate need to deal with that in a real businesslike fashion. So I think we're picking the right team to do that."Grant Cornett for TIMEHeidi Cranny, Oakley, Idaho
"Just being here, I'm pledging my support for Mitt. I love America, and what an awesome opportunity to be here. Definitely the economy. But the basic feeling here is, 'what do we do to get America back on track?' How do we do that? The feeling here is, Mitt's our hope, Mitt's the dreams and our future for our children, for them to be able to achieve the American dream. And we've got to have somebody in there who can make that happen for our kids."Grant Cornett for TIMEWayne Papke, Mandan, N.D.
"By far the economy. We've got to get jobs going, and to do that, we've got to have some leadership."Grant Cornett for TIMESteve Pearce, Hobbs, N.M..
"Jobs and the economy. We're here to support Mitt Romney as a business guy. He knows how to fix business, he knows how to fix the economy. Paul Ryan knows budget, understands that, so I see a good working team together."Grant Cornett for TIMEBeth Fukumoto Chang, Oahu, Hawaii
"I think the most important issue to me is the economy. We need somebody who knows what they're doing in a business setting, and I think Mitt Romney is the person to do that."
Grant Cornett for TIMEJustin Carro, Alaska
"Half of the lobbying money out there, at least, is going towards just making the government bigger."Grant Cornett for TIMERicardo Aponte, Puerto Rico
"The most important issue to me is Puerto Rican statehood, and Mitt Romney came to the island and made a commitment to our governor that in the referendum in November, if statehood wins, they would support our efforts in congress, and that was a really important issue for all of us."Grant Cornett for TIMEGary Shoemaker, Asheville, N.C.
"In this election it's the economy, number one, and our foreign policy. We have to change our foreign policy. We got to bring the troops home. We got to stop interfering in other countries' business, and we've got to restore our prosperity, and this will help us do that, by having a sane foreign policy."Grant Cornett for TIMERich Counts, Washington D.C.
"I'd have to say the economy. Getting this unemployment rate down, particularly for young people."Grant Cornett for TIMEBill Bunting, Hudson, Fla.
"The most important issue is we've got to have an honest debate. We've got to create jobs in this country and get the economy going, and I think that based on that, the important thing is to have Mitt Romney and Ryan elected."Grant Cornett for TIMEDiane Black, Gallatin, Tenn.
"I think the economy and jobs, jobs, jobs."Grant Cornett for TIMECarol Houtler, Dayton, Ohio.
"Obamacare. Repealing Obamacare. And the economy. "Grant Cornett for TIMERon Noyes, Concord, N.H.
"We're spending way too much on wars that we shouldn't be in, and it comes at a high cost, both monetarily and to our troops. My concern is with them. We have people doing six and seven tours. Military suicides are at an all-time high. Our soldiers are coming home broke, and we have to stop that."Grant Cornett for TIMEDonna Cain, Medford, Ore.
"It's got to be jobs and the economy. A lot of the regulations are strangling small business."Grant Cornett for TIMEScott Jenkins, Plain City, Ut.
"To me, it's the economy. We've got to get it back on track, we're dying. We've got to get this economy picked up and going again."Grant Cornett for TIMEDino Rossi, Sammamish, Wash.
"It's going to be jobs and the economy, and it's also centered on the deficit and bringing the budget into control. All of those things work in unison by creating an environment where entrepreneurs can be entrepreneurs again."Grant Cornett for TIMEHeidi Smith, Reno, Nev.
"It's to get the economy back on track. Without that, everything else falls apart. If we don't get it together, the education makes no difference. The jobs make no difference. It's the economy, and that's the beginning and the end of it."Grant Cornett for TIMERita Wray, Jackson, Miss.
"I'm looking for a candidate with the vision to improve the economy for Mississippians and for small business-persons."Grant Cornett for TIMEDavid Sablan, Santa Rita, Guam
"I'm really concerned with foreign affairs, and how our country is viewed by our allies, as well as our opponents. I'm always worried about what's going on, getting ourselves into all these battles, so I think we need to show a much stronger posture."Grant Cornett for TIMERobert Max Schanfarber, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
"Liberty. Constitution. Repealing NDAA, getting the drones off. Just basic liberty-minded things."Grant Cornett for TIMELeora Levy, Greenwich, Conn.
"The single most important issue to me in this election is re-capturing the values that our country has been built on and the strength of our country."Grant Cornett for TIMEDr. Ignacia T. Demapan, Northern Mariana Islands
"The most important issue is to address the economy. That's one of the things that we are trying to work out on our islands. I know there are a lot of problems, but I really wanted to make sure that our new President will work on reviving the economy and taking us to a better situation."Grant Cornett for TIMEBruce Thompson, San Diego, Calif.
"Well it's jobs, jobs, and jobs. We have to get the economy going. There are 24 million people that are either unemployed, underemployed. It's a shame and it's something that's got to be fixed."Grant Cornett for TIME
