Messages for the future president

Messages for the future president

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Delegates at both the Republican and the Democratic conventions sported outrageous outfits - but the views from their respective gatherings were a study in contrast.

Republican National Convention delegates in Cleveland last week embraced a freewheeling, policy-light lineup, reveling in messages of salvation from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s inner circle, while expressing their fears that America has become less safe.

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California delegate Liz Ritchie's hope for the presidential nominee is: "To see people know that they can pursue their dreams and there is nothing that can stand in their way of accomplishing them."
. Cleveland, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

California delegate Liz Ritchie's hope for the presidential nominee is: "To see people know that they can pursue their dreams and there is nothing that can stand in their way of accomplishing them."

Texas delegate Janis Holt's message to the presidential nominee is: "Make America safe for my children and grandchildren."
. Cleveland, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

Texas delegate Janis Holt's message to the presidential nominee is: "Make America safe for my children and grandchildren."

California alternate Sam Barke's message for the presidential nominee is: "Put America first and make America great again."
. Cleveland, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

California alternate Sam Barke's message for the presidential nominee is: "Put America first and make America great again."

California alternate Dr. Nancy Weres' hope for the presidential nominee is: "That he will reinstate the physician-patient relationship and get all third parties from coming between doctors and patients."
. Cleveland, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

California alternate Dr. Nancy Weres' hope for the presidential nominee is: "That he will reinstate the physician-patient relationship and get all third parties from coming between doctors and patients."

Kansas delegate Virginia Macha's message to the presidential nominee is: "Keep us safe. Give us jobs."
. Cleveland, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

Kansas delegate Virginia Macha's message to the presidential nominee is: "Keep us safe. Give us jobs."

Arizona alternate "Arthur the Patriot's" message to the presidential nominee is: "The Tea Party supports you."
. Cleveland, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

Arizona alternate "Arthur the Patriot's" message to the presidential nominee is: "The Tea Party supports you."

U.S. Virgin Islands delegate Edgar Phillips' message to the presidential nominee is: "Create more jobs to cut crime. America should be green. I want the Virgin Islands to vote in the General Election. Make sure all receive full health care benefits."
. Philadelphia, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

U.S. Virgin Islands delegate Edgar Phillips' message to the presidential nominee is: "Create more jobs to cut crime. America should be green. I want the Virgin Islands to vote in the General Election. Make sure all receive full health care benefits."

New Mexico delegate Priscilla Chavez's message to the presidential nominee is: "Little boys and girls of the next generation can live life without poverty and shouldn't have to worry where their next meal will come from."
. Philadelphia, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

New Mexico delegate Priscilla Chavez's message to the presidential nominee is: "Little boys and girls of the next generation can live life without poverty and shouldn't have to worry where their next meal will come from."

Wisconsin delegate Karla Stoebig's message to the presidential nominee is: "[We should be] moving forward together."
. Philadelphia, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

Wisconsin delegate Karla Stoebig's message to the presidential nominee is: "[We should be] moving forward together."

Florida delegate Rick Neuhoff's message to the presidential nominee is: "I want you to live up to what you have said," he said. "If I have to hold my nose to vote for you, I will be watching and holding your feet to the fire."
. Philadelphia, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

Florida delegate Rick Neuhoff's message to the presidential nominee is: "I want you to live up to what you have said," he said. "If I have to hold my nose to vote for you, I will be watching and holding your feet to the fire."

Louisiana delegate Rodney McFarland's message to the presidential nominee is: "The minimum wage needs to be 15 dollars."
. Philadelphia, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

Louisiana delegate Rodney McFarland's message to the presidential nominee is: "The minimum wage needs to be 15 dollars."

A man wearing an orange jumpsuit and Hillary Clinton mask told Reuters he had been asked to take pictures standing next to “hundreds” of convention-goers, while “lock her up” - a cry to imprison Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - became the crowd’s go-to chant.

A woman wearing a red cape with “TRUMP” spelled out in twinkle lights happily posed for the dozens of passersby requesting photos.

The few remaining, weary Ted Cruz supporters found a rallying cry in the former Republican presidential candidate’s refusal to endorse Trump, a moment of party discord that prompted security to escort Heidi Cruz out of the convention hall and away from irate, yelling Trump supporters.

At this week's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, erstwhile candidate Bernie Sanders worked to build a bridge over troubled waters (yes, Paul Simon performed the song of that name). At the end of a roll call of state delegations, he called for Clinton to be nominated by voice vote - a show of support and a bid for unity after a bitter primary campaign.

. Philadelphia, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

The move prompted deafening cheers on the convention floor - as well as a boos from Sanders supporters, who, on occasion, could be seen angrily arguing with Clinton backers.

And there were celebrities - actresses Eva Longoria, Lena Dunham, America Ferrera, Sigourney Weaver and Elizabeth Banks drew shrieks and cheers from the crowd. But Clinton’s convention was heavy on policy and calls to public service.

Former President Bill Clinton received a rock star’s welcome before ticking off a list of his wife’s civic accomplishments. First lady Michelle Obama drove some members of a rapt audience to tears when she declared, “I wake up in a house built by slaves.”

Reuters photographers caught up with several convention-goers, both Republican and Democrat, and asked "If you could speak to your nominee, What would you like them to know about your hopes for the future of America?" Here are some of their responses:

. Cleveland, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

"Thank you for having my back," Sharon Jackson, a delegate from Alaska at the Republican convention, said, referring to Trump.

. Cleveland, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

Barbara Finger, a delegate from Wisconsin at the Republican conclave, also expressed gratitude to the New York businessman.

"Keep going the way you are," she said. "Make America great again."

. Philadelphia, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

Lavon Bracy, a Democratic delegate from Florida, expressed her support for Clinton at her party's convention, emphasising the importance of unity.

She said she hopes, "We can all live together in harmony and understand that we have differences and appreciate those who are different."

. Philadelphia, United States. Reuters/Jim Young

Democratic delegate Alvin Peters of Panama City, Florida, said he, too, hoped for brighter days.

"Spread the joy," said Peters. "Dispel the doom and gloom."

. Philadelphia, United States. Reuters/Jim Young