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Republican convention live: night three to feature Cruz, Rubio and VP pick Pence Republican convention live: all eyes on VP nominee Mike Pence for night three
(35 minutes later)
2.04am BST
02:04
Scott is yelling lines from the Declaration of Independence and winning big cheers for it. The Declaration of Independence is awesome.
“Donald Trump has played the big stakes, and he is a master dealer and negotiator... the art of the deal is to bring people together to unify and to get them from no to yes,” Scott says. “He now wants to take that experience to get the best deal for America.”
2.00am BST
02:00
Kentucky state senator Ralph Alvarado, Jr, delivers lines in Spanish. The crowd cheers him excitedly.
Rough translation of Alvarado's Spanish address : You understand what corrupt governments are like. Don't let that happen to America. @CQnow
Then they strike up the band a bit, a little instrumental interlude to fill out the 8 o’clock hour, it appears. Next up is Dr. Darrell C. Scott, Senior Pastor and Co-Founder of New Spirit Revival Center Ministries.
He says he gets together with Donald Trump to discuss race relations and other things. “Despite his many accomplishments, he feels a void that he feels can only be filled by service to his country and service to his fellow Americans,” he says.
Updated
at 2.02am BST
1.52am BST
01:52
Trump 'the ultimate ringmaster'
We take back what we said about Van Etten. She closes with a crushing set of lines that get a mere fraction of the applause they deserve, we’d say:
There is only one man capable of this juggling act. Only one man who can take the circus we’ve inherited from the last eight years and serve as the ultimate ringmaster.
There is only one man who can preserve and protect the American Dream for future generations.
That man is Donald Trump. Thank you.
Updated
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1.49am BST
01:49
Van Etten has lost the audience. She slices the air and speaks loudly but can barely raise a whoop-whoop.
And glancing at the speakers list, it looks like a potentially drowsy march until we get to the electrifying Scott Walker. The next three speakers are:
State Senator Ralph Alvarado, Jr. (Kentucky)
Dr. Darrell C. Scott, Senior Pastor and Co-Founder of New Spirit Revival Center Ministries
Harold Hamm, Continental Resources
Bring back Phil Ruffin!
Updated
at 1.50am BST
1.46am BST
01:46
Here’s Michelle van Etten, fake employer.
The RNC bio says this:
Michelle Van Etten is a small business owner who was recently featured in The Greatest Networkers in the World, second edition. Michelle employs over 100,000 people, and she supports Donald Trumpbecause she believes that his policies will support businesses across America.
But in fact van Etten employs zero people, the Guardian’s Jon Swaine reports:
Related: Trump backer speaking at RNC, billed as boss of 100,000, employs zero workers
Here’s the crux of Van Etten’s speech:
Planning for my 20th high school reunion, I decided to check out the girls I went to school with. What I noticed was that my girlfriends looked like Barbies and drove BMWs. I was 30 pounds overweight, a stay at home mom and drove a minivan.
I decided I needed a change. I began to dream again. I took a leap of faith and started my own network marketing business from home. Like many people who pursue a dream, I had to learn how to fail forward and never quit.
I also had to become the type of person I wanted in my business. Within just two years, my husband was able to retire from 28 years at DOD. Jim Van Etten now homeschools our kids because we choose not to subject them to Common Core.
I opened a fashion studio called MV House of Style in Brandon, Florida. Today I run a thriving multi-faceted business. I am living the American Dream.
1.44am BST
01:44
Next up is Eileen Collins, the first woman to lead a space shuttle mission.
“The last time the United States launched our own astronauts from our own soil was over five years ago,” she says.
She is calling for a renewed investment in space exploration. This is not a political speech. It’s a Nasa PSA. Except she does say at the end, “we need leadership that will make America great again.”
Here’s hoping Newt Gingrich, futurist and aspiring Mars colonist, gets to talk to Collins backstage.
1.40am BST
01:40
Here’s more on Phil Ruffin, the Trump-friend-businessman who spoke after Ingraham:
This guy is a casino-dog track-convenience store mogul who lives in Vegas and at 72 married the 26-year-old former Miss Ukraine.
buzz of bored conversation on the convention floor now almost drowning out the smug anecdotes of Trump's sleazy-looking business partner.
1.38am BST
01:38
Donald Trump Jr, denying a New York Times report on a conversation he had with the John Kasich camp, asks the world, “what am I, a meathead?”
Scoop: In statement to CNN, Donald Trump Jr denies offering Kasich "most powerful" VP: "What am I? A meathead?" pic.twitter.com/zHA9VLOvzW
1.33am BST
01:33
“Lock her up, I love that,” Bondi says.
The crowd tries to chant it, but Bondi stops them. “Hang on,” she says, so she can say this:
He’ll roll back Obama’s unconstitutional executive orders.
He’ll enforce immigration laws to keep us safe, while allowing legal immigrants to bless this nation with their talents and their dreams. And California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona: Donald Trump will take control of our borders, because we must stop the influx of cocaine and heroin coming into our country and my state, killing our kids.
1.30am BST
01:30
Ruffin wanders off. Now here’s Florida attorney general Pam Bondi, whom the Guardian’s Ed Pilkington describes like this:
Bondi was a leading opponent of same-sex marriage, but since the [Orlando] massacre has been cozying up to gay leaders. “She came up to me and wanted to hug me,” Sheehan said. “She just doesn’t get it. The woman honestly does not understand why the community is upset with her. What these people do not understand is that by fighting against my rights, they helped create this climate of terrorism and hatred.”
Related: Orlando's first out gay elected official: 'We've been dealing with hatred forever'
1.27am BST1.27am BST
01:2701:27
Ruffin is swiftly draining the energy from the room. “He has that Mar-a-Lago. He loves Florida,” Ruffin says. He says he built the Trump hotel with Trump in Las Vegas.Ruffin is swiftly draining the energy from the room. “He has that Mar-a-Lago. He loves Florida,” Ruffin says. He says he built the Trump hotel with Trump in Las Vegas.
“Beautiful hotel... we had almost 1,300 units, and they were sold out in 90 days. Ninety days.” But with the 2009 recession, they were stuck with 75% of units empty. “You had $500m in debt. What do you do? Donald does not give up. He said, let’s make the damn thing work, and he did.”“Beautiful hotel... we had almost 1,300 units, and they were sold out in 90 days. Ninety days.” But with the 2009 recession, they were stuck with 75% of units empty. “You had $500m in debt. What do you do? Donald does not give up. He said, let’s make the damn thing work, and he did.”
None of that was on the Teleprompter. He’s riffing.None of that was on the Teleprompter. He’s riffing.
“He always pays his bills promptly. No discounts. Nobody lost any money on it. Today we have 80% sold. We have no debt.”“He always pays his bills promptly. No discounts. Nobody lost any money on it. Today we have 80% sold. We have no debt.”
Now Ruffin’s first sort-of-applause line:Now Ruffin’s first sort-of-applause line:
“He wants to do the same thing for this country.”“He wants to do the same thing for this country.”
1.24am BST1.24am BST
01:2401:24
Ingraham wows crowdIngraham wows crowd
Another huge line - an even bigger one - from Ingraham, who, a syndicated radio host, this time trashes the media.Another huge line - an even bigger one - from Ingraham, who, a syndicated radio host, this time trashes the media.
Yes it’s definitely a bigger line. They’re still cheering. It’s an absolutely electric moment.Yes it’s definitely a bigger line. They’re still cheering. It’s an absolutely electric moment.
Pretending to point at the media row – we’re actually off to the side, she points up – she says, “you all know in your hearts why Donald Trump won.”Pretending to point at the media row – we’re actually off to the side, she points up – she says, “you all know in your hearts why Donald Trump won.”
“You all know,” she says, pointing.“You all know,” she says, pointing.
Because he dared to call out the phonies the frauds and the corruption that has gone unexposed and uncovered for too long. Too long. Do your job!Because he dared to call out the phonies the frauds and the corruption that has gone unexposed and uncovered for too long. Too long. Do your job!
Huge cheers.Huge cheers.
She closes: Let’s elect Donald Trump president of the United States!She closes: Let’s elect Donald Trump president of the United States!
Big cheers and applause as she leaves the stage. A USA! chant.Big cheers and applause as she leaves the stage. A USA! chant.
Then she’s followed by a guy in sunglasses who says that Donald Trump, “as a friend, is unbelievable.”Then she’s followed by a guy in sunglasses who says that Donald Trump, “as a friend, is unbelievable.”
It’s Phil Ruffin, businessman. Here’s the RNC bio:It’s Phil Ruffin, businessman. Here’s the RNC bio:
Ruffin is an American businessman with diverse interests in real estate, lodging, manufacturing, energy, and retail enterprises. Ruffin started his business in 1959 with a single convenience store and expanded it into an operation with 65 stores in four states. He currently holds 12 hotels in Kansas, Maryland,California, Oklahoma, Texas, and Alabama.Ruffin is an American businessman with diverse interests in real estate, lodging, manufacturing, energy, and retail enterprises. Ruffin started his business in 1959 with a single convenience store and expanded it into an operation with 65 stores in four states. He currently holds 12 hotels in Kansas, Maryland,California, Oklahoma, Texas, and Alabama.
Updated
at 1.32am BST
1.18am BST1.18am BST
01:1801:18
Ingraham calls on Cruz to endorse trumpIngraham calls on Cruz to endorse trump
Ingraham addresses former presidential candidates who vowed to support the Republican nominee, Ted Cruz among them, to make good on their promise:Ingraham addresses former presidential candidates who vowed to support the Republican nominee, Ted Cruz among them, to make good on their promise:
WE love you, we love you. But you must honor your pledge to support Donald Trump now. Tonight. Tonight.WE love you, we love you. But you must honor your pledge to support Donald Trump now. Tonight. Tonight.
The crowd roars to its feet, again. And there is sustained applause and cheering. It’s a home run line.The crowd roars to its feet, again. And there is sustained applause and cheering. It’s a home run line.
“I hope they are listening,” she says. “I hope they are listening.”“I hope they are listening,” she says. “I hope they are listening.”
Mike Pence better get Laura Ingraham off the stage fast before these delegates nominate her for VP instead of him.Mike Pence better get Laura Ingraham off the stage fast before these delegates nominate her for VP instead of him.
1.12am BST1.12am BST
01:1201:12
Here’s conservative radio host Laura Ingraham. She’s got the crowd on its feet.Here’s conservative radio host Laura Ingraham. She’s got the crowd on its feet.
“I’m a single mother of three adopted children. I’m here tonight supporting Donald Trump because like most Americans, I refuse to leave them a country that is worse off than the one my parents left me,” she says.“I’m a single mother of three adopted children. I’m here tonight supporting Donald Trump because like most Americans, I refuse to leave them a country that is worse off than the one my parents left me,” she says.
She’s interrupted repeatedly by calls to “Lock her up! Lock her up!” And one guy yells, “We love you!”She’s interrupted repeatedly by calls to “Lock her up! Lock her up!” And one guy yells, “We love you!”
“Donald Trump understands that we must turn this around and restore respect across all levels of society. Unlike us, Hillary Clinton believes the status quo is just fine because she helped create it.“Donald Trump understands that we must turn this around and restore respect across all levels of society. Unlike us, Hillary Clinton believes the status quo is just fine because she helped create it.
“Donald Trump knows that a nation without borders isn’t a nation at all. But Hillary Clinton? Nah, she doesn’t believe in borders.”“Donald Trump knows that a nation without borders isn’t a nation at all. But Hillary Clinton? Nah, she doesn’t believe in borders.”
1.09am BST1.09am BST
01:0901:09
We’ve just heard from Florida governor Rick Scott, who was slow to endorse Trump but saw the writing on the wall when Trump smashed home state senator Marco Rubio.We’ve just heard from Florida governor Rick Scott, who was slow to endorse Trump but saw the writing on the wall when Trump smashed home state senator Marco Rubio.
Scott said in part:Scott said in part:
I cried with the grieving moms and dads and brothers and sisters of the 49 people slaughtered by an ISIS-inspired terrorist. This war is real. It is here in America. And the next president must destroy this evil. Donald Trump is the man for that job.I cried with the grieving moms and dads and brothers and sisters of the 49 people slaughtered by an ISIS-inspired terrorist. This war is real. It is here in America. And the next president must destroy this evil. Donald Trump is the man for that job.
“Today, America is in terrible, world-record-high debt. Our economy is not growing. Our jobs are going overseas. We have allowed our military to decay, and we project weakness on the international stage. Washington grows while the rest of America struggles. The Democrats have not led us to a crossroads, they have led us to a cliff.”“Today, America is in terrible, world-record-high debt. Our economy is not growing. Our jobs are going overseas. We have allowed our military to decay, and we project weakness on the international stage. Washington grows while the rest of America struggles. The Democrats have not led us to a crossroads, they have led us to a cliff.”
1.07am BST1.07am BST
01:0701:07
The crowd is getting into Chris Janson, who’s doing another harmonica solo, blowing hard as Hannity.The crowd is getting into Chris Janson, who’s doing another harmonica solo, blowing hard as Hannity.
“Are you ready to party baby, RNC here we go!” he says.“Are you ready to party baby, RNC here we go!” he says.
When’s Rick Scott going to come out? It’s only 8pm. Janson has another. This song appears to be called “Back in my drinkin’ days.” Yup.When’s Rick Scott going to come out? It’s only 8pm. Janson has another. This song appears to be called “Back in my drinkin’ days.” Yup.
Janson takes another harmonica solo, prefaced by the callout, “Who’s ready to hear 135 pounds of skinny white guy play this harmonica like you ain’t never seen baby?”Janson takes another harmonica solo, prefaced by the callout, “Who’s ready to hear 135 pounds of skinny white guy play this harmonica like you ain’t never seen baby?”
Man that guy can play the harmonica.Man that guy can play the harmonica.
12.51am BST12.51am BST
00:5100:51
“I wrote this song for some friends of mine, it was a great big number one this year,” Janson says. If you like America, he advises, “make some noise in this house.”“I wrote this song for some friends of mine, it was a great big number one this year,” Janson says. If you like America, he advises, “make some noise in this house.”
He sings the song I Love This Life which as nobody needs to be told was a huge huge hit for Locash.He sings the song I Love This Life which as nobody needs to be told was a huge huge hit for Locash.
I love my boots broke in, I love my Camo hatDon’t mind a little paint on my jeans, yeah I roll like thatI love driving my truck across the railroad tracksIf you hit it too quick, it’ll hit ya right backI love my boots broke in, I love my Camo hatDon’t mind a little paint on my jeans, yeah I roll like thatI love driving my truck across the railroad tracksIf you hit it too quick, it’ll hit ya right back
I love a fresh cut field with a first frost onHow it shines like gold when the sun turned onI love the sound of them wheels with my baby singing alongWhen “The Boys Of Summer” comes onI love a fresh cut field with a first frost onHow it shines like gold when the sun turned onI love the sound of them wheels with my baby singing alongWhen “The Boys Of Summer” comes on
I love my small town world,I love a country girlI love a Friday nightMan I love this lifeThe sound of an ol’ dirt roadRollin’ through mindMan I love, man I love,Man, I Love This LifeI love my small town world,I love a country girlI love a Friday nightMan I love this lifeThe sound of an ol’ dirt roadRollin’ through mindMan I love, man I love,Man, I Love This Life
I Love that county line bar where they all know my drinkThe way she throws her hands up when that cover band playsI love that taste of her lips when she’s been sipping that wineI still get drunk on her every timeI Love that county line bar where they all know my drinkThe way she throws her hands up when that cover band playsI love that taste of her lips when she’s been sipping that wineI still get drunk on her every time
I love my small town world,I love a country girlI love a Friday nightMan I love this lifeThe sound of an ol’ dirt roadRolling through mindMan, I love, man I love,Man, I Love This LifeI love my small town world,I love a country girlI love a Friday nightMan I love this lifeThe sound of an ol’ dirt roadRolling through mindMan, I love, man I love,Man, I Love This Life
Oh-o-o-o-ohMan I love this lifeOh-o-o-o-ohMan, I love this life(I love this life, I love this life, I love this life)Oh-o-o-o-ohMan I love this lifeOh-o-o-o-ohMan, I love this life(I love this life, I love this life, I love this life)
I love that ragged old barn that my grandpa madeIt was my whole world back in my innocent daysI love that little white church, out on 109It’s where I hit my knees and thank the Lord for this life of mineI love that ragged old barn that my grandpa madeIt was my whole world back in my innocent daysI love that little white church, out on 109It’s where I hit my knees and thank the Lord for this life of mine
12.49am BST12.49am BST
00:4900:49
Now country music star Chris Janson is singing an up-tempo, dare we say country-punk cover of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire.Now country music star Chris Janson is singing an up-tempo, dare we say country-punk cover of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire.
“Make some noise, RNC!” Janson calls out.“Make some noise, RNC!” Janson calls out.
Most excited delegation: California, home to Folsom and San Quentin. Least excited: saying Arizona, who are texting. Texas is waving their hats.Most excited delegation: California, home to Folsom and San Quentin. Least excited: saying Arizona, who are texting. Texas is waving their hats.
12.46am BST12.46am BST
00:4600:46
Here’s country music star Chris Janson, singing his smash hit “Buy me a boat”.Here’s country music star Chris Janson, singing his smash hit “Buy me a boat”.
Last night was disco and funk night. Tonight’s it’s country.Last night was disco and funk night. Tonight’s it’s country.
“Hey RNC how you doin’ tonight baby?!?” Chris Janson says. They cheer, and he goes into a harmonica solo that would give John Popper’s tongue career-ending cramps if he tried it.“Hey RNC how you doin’ tonight baby?!?” Chris Janson says. They cheer, and he goes into a harmonica solo that would give John Popper’s tongue career-ending cramps if he tried it.
12.41am BST
00:41
Here’s Sweet Caroline. And yes that’s Florida:
This room is full of awkward uncles at a wedding #RNCinCLE https://t.co/gLnTevJ0qE
12.39am BST
00:39
There’s the pledge of allegiance. Now Abby Paskvan sings the national anthem. She killed it, in a performance anticipated by her mic check earlier:
Not sure who that is warming up but she is gonna kill it pic.twitter.com/KGjkWQ0A8p
12.36am BST
00:36
The announcer has just interrupted the band’s cover of “Sweet Caroline” to ask people to take their seats and she basically ends up on the receiving end of a basketball-arena-sized Go to Hail. These people aren’t going to sit down in the middle of “Sweet Caroline.”
OK it’s over and here’s Reince Priebus again. He introduces a boy scout troop who are bringing in the flags.
12.33am BST
00:33
Introducing tonight's speakers
The first speaker tonight, according to the program, is Florida governor Rick Scott. Maybe he can get those wild partiers in his delegation to calm down a bit.
We’re also scheduled to hear from Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, senator Marco Rubio (by video), senator Ted Cruz, former House speaker Newt Gingrich plus Callista Gingrich, Eric Trump, vice presidential nominee Mike Pence and fake employer Michelle van Etten. The speakers’ list is as follows:
Florida Governor Rick Scott
Laura Ingraham, Radio Host
Phil Ruffin, Businessman
Pam Bondi, Attorney General of Florida
Eileen Collins, Astronaut (retired)
Michelle Van Etten, Small Business Owner
State Senator Ralph Alvarado, Jr. (Kentucky)
Dr. Darrell C. Scott, Senior Pastor and Co-Founder of New Spirit Revival Center Ministries
Harold Hamm, Continental Resources
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker
Lynne Patton, The Eric Trump Foundation
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Video
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas)
Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization
Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Callista Gingrich, President of Gingrich Productions
Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Candidate for Vice President
12.28am BST
00:28
Trump on 'speechwriter': 'we all make mistakes'
Donald Trump has told ABC News that the Trump organization staffer who took the blame for allowing Melania Trump’s speech to proceed with borrowed lines in it had been with him a long time, is a “very good person” and he forgives her because “we all make mistakes.”
Transcript via Sopan Deb of CBS News:
In interview with ABC, Trump weighs in on Melania's speechwriter: "You’ve made mistakes. We all make mistakes..." pic.twitter.com/v7RCV8PlMX
12.25am BST
00:25
The delegates are all in the hall, and the band has once again begun. My Sharona is the hit cover tune of the moment. There’s some dancing. Especially among the representatives of a certain popular holiday state.
Florida have been drinking again
12.20am BST
00:20
If you haven’t been watching the Infowars livestream, with conspirator-in-chief Alex Jones, you may have missed comedian Tim Heidecker crashing it and doing a pretty good Alex Jones impression (this is via Dave Weigel of the Washington Post):
There's now quality video of @timheidecker crashing the @RealAlexJones livestream https://t.co/jHCBwQQ7vn
Updated
at 12.21am BST
12.11am BST
00:11
Mini-wall materializes around Trump star
A border wall appeared around the Trump star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday.
The work is credited to the artist Plastic Jesus. Who paid for it? Your guess is as good as ours.
It was gone by Wednesday.
Updated
at 1.03am BST
11.59pm BST
23:59
Convention night 3 live stream
We’re pleased tonight to be able to serve up a live video stream of tonight’s proceedings. Here it is, courtesy of Reuters:
Updated
at 11.59pm BST
11.44pm BST
23:44
Trump plane trolls Cruz
Cruz cut off by Trump plane: ‘That was pretty well orchestrated’ – video