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Republican convention live: all eyes on VP nominee Mike Pence for night three Republican convention live: all eyes on VP nominee Mike Pence for night three
(35 minutes later)
2.38am BST
02:38
Cruz tells the story of Michael Smith, one of five officers shot dead in Dallas. The story becomes a call to action:
As I thought about what I wanted to say tonight, Michael Smith’s story weighed on my heart. Maybe that’s because his daughter, Caroline, is about the same age as my eldest daughter and happens to share the same name. Maybe it’s because I saw a video of that dear, sweet child choking back sobs as she remembered her daddy’s last question to her. Maybe it’s because we live in a world where so many others have had their lives destroyed by evil, in places like Orlando and Paris and Nice and Baton Rouge. Maybe it is because of the simple question itself:
What if this, right now, is our last time? Our last moment to do something for our families and our country?
Did we live up to our values? Did we do all we could?
2.35am BST
02:35
Cruz congratulates Trump on winning 'last night'
Ted Cruz is announced and appears. People clap forever and whistle. Some boo.
“Thank you and god bless each and every one of you,” he says.
Thank you. Heidi and I are honored to join you here in Cleveland, where Lebron James just led an incredible comeback victory. I’m convinced America is going to come back too.
I want to congratulate Donald Trump on winning the nomination last night. And like each of you, I want to see the principles that our party believes prevail in November.
Conventions are times of excitement. But given the events of the last few weeks, I hope you’ll allow me a moment to talk to you about what’s really at stake.
2.33am BST
02:33
Whoa here suddenly is Marco Rubio, addressing crowd via JumboTron.
He attacks Hillary Clinton over Benghazi. “Unlike Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump is committed to cut taxes, curb spending... [he] takes seriously the threat from Islamic radicals...”
Rubio’s video image gets applause for saying this:
The time for fighting each other is other. It’s time to come together and fight for a new direction for America. It’s time to (inaudible).
2.30am BST
02:30
While Lynne Patton tells the crowd about the virtues of her boss Donald Trump, we want to flag this non-politics story:
Understand it's election season.. But 0 coverage on US TV of #US airstrike in #Syria reported to have killed 85 civilians mistaken for ISIS?
Here's @attackerman @guardian story in case it has failed to penetrate your Trump bubble too https://t.co/KXYA7mW5k6 https://t.co/Qlw8zdfOyK
2.27am BST
02:27
The band strikes up. Who’s up next? Looks like Lynne Patton of the Eric Trump foundation. The band’s doing one of their hits from last night, a cover of REO Speedwagon’s Roll With the Changes.
A video is rolling now. Is Lynne Patton going to address the crowd only by video? The video is a slide show of people – it’s unclear who – with a voiceover by an unidentified someone who could be Lynne Patton.
“The Trump family has stood by me through lots of difficult times without concern about their reputations by association,” the unidentified narrator says, interestingly. Tell us more?
“For the past six years I have held an executive position as it pertains to the distribution of their charitable funds,” the voice says. Must be Lynne Patton.
She says “this is the right thing to do...for me it was an easy decision, just as voting for my boss, Donald J Trump, should be for you,” she says.
Oh wait there she is in person! Lynne Patton. Hello America! she says. She refers again to “my boss, Donald J Trump.” Feels like a sales conference, reminiscent of the moment last night when the Trump vineyard executive spoke.
2.16am BST
02:16
Walker mentions 'prison' for Clinton
Next up: governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin. “America deserves better” is his refrain. There are special signs in the audience with those words on them.
But is it a great look, for Scott Walker, a sharp critic of Trump once, to stand on the stage at Trump’s convention and lead the crowd chants of “America deserves better”?
Some people jumped the gun with the signs:
Crowd hoisting "America deserves better" signs. That's supposed to be crowd response when Wisconsin Gov Walker talks pic.twitter.com/mRuVTUJSqR
Here’s Walker’s first big applause line:
Hillary Clinton is the ultimate liberal Washington insider. If she were any more on the “inside,” she’d be in prison.
America deserves better than Hillary Clinton.
Then Walker explicitly calls for support for Trump:
That is why we need to support Donald Trump and Mike Pence for President and Vice President.
Last August, I said that any of the Republicans running would be better than Hillary Clinton. I meant it then, and I mean it now. So let me be clear: a vote for anyone other than Donald Trump in November is a vote for Hillary Clinton.
Updated
at 2.20am BST
2.09am BST
02:09
Here’s Ingraham calling on Cruz and others to endorse Trump:
.@IngrahamAngle to boys w/ "wounded feelings & bruised egos…you must honor your pledge to support Donald Trump now."https://t.co/MDbB8lgKhd
And Trump tweets thanks for her speech:
Thank you @IngrahamAngle! #AmericaFirst pic.twitter.com/cv3I3xRSOK
Updated
at 2.12am BST
2.06am BST
02:06
Scott is a great orator. His speech was not much as written but he worked it for big waves of cheers:
He believes, as do you and as I do, that we can become great again, and we can become strong again, if we have strong leadership. And I can think of no stronger leader who will place their left hand on a Bible that they believe in, raise their right hand and solemnly swear to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of America than Donald J. Trump.
They cheered it like crazy, big standing O. Nothing in the words. All in the delivery.
2.04am BST2.04am BST
02:0402:04
Scott is yelling lines from the Declaration of Independence and winning big cheers for it. The Declaration of Independence is awesome.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.”“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 BST2.00am BST
02:0002:00
Kentucky state senator Ralph Alvarado, Jr, delivers lines in Spanish. The crowd cheers him excitedly.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. @CQnowRough 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.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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.02am BSTat 2.02am BST
1.52am BST1.52am BST
01:5201:52
Trump 'the ultimate ringmaster'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: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 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.There is only one man who can preserve and protect the American Dream for future generations.
That man is Donald Trump. Thank you.That man is Donald Trump. Thank you.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.52am BST at 2.37am BST
1.49am BST1.49am BST
01:4901:49
Van Etten has lost the audience. She slices the air and speaks loudly but can barely raise a whoop-whoop.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: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)State Senator Ralph Alvarado, Jr. (Kentucky)
Dr. Darrell C. Scott, Senior Pastor and Co-Founder of New Spirit Revival Center MinistriesDr. Darrell C. Scott, Senior Pastor and Co-Founder of New Spirit Revival Center Ministries
Harold Hamm, Continental ResourcesHarold Hamm, Continental Resources
Bring back Phil Ruffin!Bring back Phil Ruffin!
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.50am BSTat 1.50am BST
1.46am BST1.46am BST
01:4601:46
Here’s Michelle van Etten, fake employer.Here’s Michelle van Etten, fake employer.
The RNC bio says this: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.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: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 workersRelated: Trump backer speaking at RNC, billed as boss of 100,000, employs zero workers
Here’s the crux of Van Etten’s speech: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.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 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 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.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 BST1.44am BST
01:4401:44
Next up is Eileen Collins, the first woman to lead a space shuttle mission.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.“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.”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.Here’s hoping Newt Gingrich, futurist and aspiring Mars colonist, gets to talk to Collins backstage.
1.40am BST1.40am BST
01:4001:40
Here’s more on Phil Ruffin, the Trump-friend-businessman who spoke after Ingraham: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.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.buzz of bored conversation on the convention floor now almost drowning out the smug anecdotes of Trump's sleazy-looking business partner.
1.38am BST1.38am BST
01:3801:38
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?”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/zHA9VLOvzWScoop: In statement to CNN, Donald Trump Jr denies offering Kasich "most powerful" VP: "What am I? A meathead?" pic.twitter.com/zHA9VLOvzW
1.33am BST1.33am BST
01:3301:33
“Lock her up, I love that,” Bondi says.“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: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 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.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 BST
01:27
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.
“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.
“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:
“He wants to do the same thing for this country.”
1.24am BST
01:24
Ingraham wows crowd
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.
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.
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.
She closes: Let’s elect Donald Trump president of the United States!
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.”
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.
Updated
at 1.32am BST
1.18am BST
01:18
Ingraham 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:
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.
“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.
1.12am BST
01:12
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.
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 knows that a nation without borders isn’t a nation at all. But Hillary Clinton? Nah, she doesn’t believe in borders.”
1.09am BST
01:09
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.
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.
“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 BST
01:07
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.
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?”
Man that guy can play the harmonica.
12.51am BST
00:51
“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.”
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 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 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 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 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 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 mine
12.49am BST
00:49
Now country music star Chris Janson is singing an up-tempo, dare we say country-punk cover of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire.
“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.
12.46am BST
00:46
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.
“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.