GOP CONVENTION | Pence, former Trump rivals to take convention stage

CLEVELAND (AP)

With Donald Trump officially the Republican presidential nominee, attention shifts to running mate Mike Pence Wednesday as he addresses the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Delegates will also be watching former Trump rival Ted Cruz speak to see what he says about Trump.

In an odd twist for a prime-time convention speaker, Cruz hasn't endorsed the New York businessman, who called him "Lyin' Ted" on the campaign trail. At a rally in Cleveland, Cruz said that he and his followers had the duty "to follow our conscience."

In contrast, Pence is expected to vouch for the celebrity businessman's conservative credentials and call for unity in a Republican Party left divided after the bruising primary fight. The Indiana governor was selected by Trump last week.

Controversy over Melania Trump's Monday evening speech still hung over the convention. After it became clear that passages in Trump's wife's speech were strikingly similar to a 2008 speech from first lady Michelle Obama, a speechwriter for Donald Trump's company said Wednesday she had made a mistake and apologized.

Meredith McIver said she offered to resign but Trump refused to accept her resignation.