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Mike Pence sought to introduce himself to the nation Wednesday and build unity around running mate Donald Trump during the third night of the Republican National Convention, but he was overshadowed by the deafening boos that chased Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz off the stage when he refused to endorse the party’s presidential nominee.
Cruz and Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, two of Trump’s most formidable former opponents, were supposed to be a part of a powerful show of party unity. Instead, they both stopped short of embracing the man who, on Thursday, will accept the GOP nomination.
In an extraordinary address, restless delegates booed Cruz and drowned out part of his speech with chants as he trumpeted conservative principles, attacked Democrat Hillary Clinton — but never voiced his support for Trump. His lofty speech, one of the most anticipated of the week, evoked Trump’s name only once.
Rubio also refused to give Trump his outright endorsement — or even show at his party’s bash. He addressed the crowd on a video display.
The drama took the shine off Pence’s big debut. The Indiana governor quickly accepted the Republican nomination for vice president, then turned to the most pressing matter at hand, introducing himself to America in prime time — and on his own terms.
“I’m a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order,” said Pence, reverting to what’s become his personal mantra over the years.
Pence’s stratospheric rise over the past month has transformed him from a political figure largely unknown outside the Hoosier State to a dark horse candidate for Trump’s running mate and now a top party luminary.
Pence made a name for himself as a politician by avoiding negative campaigning and personal attacks. But on Wednesday he quickly stepped into the role of attack dog for Trump, who watched on from inside the arena.
“Hillary Clinton essentially offers a third Obama term. And the role is perfect for her,” Pence said. “She championed Obamacare because years before she practically invented it. … And like the president, she thinks the path to governing is more taxes, more regulation and more spending.”
Other speakers such as former Georgia lawmaker Newt Gingrich and Trump’s son Eric tried to build more consensus around the nominee and paint a more personable picture of him.
Meanwhile, outside of Quicken Loans Arena, police clashed with protesters earlier in the day in the tensest confrontation yet after a group of 10 demonstrators tried to burn an American flag. Two police officers were slightly injured and at least five demonstrators were arrested, and authorities quickly swarmed the area.
The protesters, who said they were part of the Revolutionary Communist Party, chanted “America was never great” as they tried to light the flag on fire. Police are expecting much larger demonstrations Thursday, the final night of the four-day convention.
Former primary opponents
Pence was preceded onstage by a trio of Trump’s former primary rivals: Rubio, Cruz and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
Walker spoke about how conservative ideas could thrive in traditionally blue states such as his own.
“You see, it wasn’t too late for Wisconsin and it’s not too late for America,” he said. “If you’ve had enough of Washington’s brokenness, wastefulness, empty promises and arrogance, join us.”
Rubio said Trump was a better choice than Clinton on matters including the economy, national defense and the judiciary.
“Hillary Clinton does not have the honesty, the courage or the independence to be the president we need for the next four years after the president we had for the last eight,” he said.
Rubio, who butted heads with Trump more than any other primary candidate this spring, encouraged the party to unite after the rancorous and prolonged primary battles.
“After a long and spirited primary, the time for fighting each other is over. It’s time to come together and fight for a new direction for America,” said Rubio, who recently announced that he would change course and seek a second Senate term in November.
Cruz’s remarks were some of the longest of the evening and far more soaring. He discussed the Dallas shootings, state’s rights and his parents, while only mentioning Clinton’s name less than a handful of times.
“We must make the most of our moment — to fight for freedom, to protect our God-given rights, even of those with whom we don’t agree — so that when we are old and gray and our work is done and we give those we love one final kiss goodbye, we will be able to say, ‘Freedom matters, and I was part of something beautiful,’ ” Cruz said.
And as the restless crowd stirred, Cruz urged the delegates to “stand and speak and vote for your conscience. Vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution.”
Many delegates stood silently — the floor was eerily quiet for the beginning of Cruz’s speech — but others started chanting “We want Trump!”
Cruz glanced their way, saying, “I appreciate the enthusiasm of the New York delegation,” which led to more restlessness.
Sensing the division in the room following Cruz’s speech, Gingrich went off his prepared remarks to play peacemaker.
“Ted Cruz said you can vote your conscience for anyone who will uphold the Constitution,” he said. “In this election, there is only one candidate who will uphold the Constitution.”
A roar of applause followed.
Gingrich focused the rest of his remarks on national security. He said Trump was the only candidate who truly understands the threats facing the country and that Clinton would work to placate America’s enemies.
“We are sleepwalking through history as though this is all about politics. It is not,” Gingrich said. “It is about our safety and our survival as a country. And this is why every American should be terrified at the prospect of a Hillary Clinton presidency.”
The night’s official theme was “Make America First Again,” but the focus felt more free-wheeling. Most of the speeches, though, were full of crowd-pleasing attacks on Clinton, the media and Trump skeptics in the GOP.
“Even all you boys with wounded feelings and bruised egos,” said Laura Ingraham, a conservative talk show host who revved up the crowd, “you must honor your pledge to support Donald Trump now — tonight.”
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