ABC News(CLEVELAND) — We’re halfway through the Republican National Convention, and heading into the last two nights with some of the biggest names.
Though the convention activity doesn’t actually start until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the convention organizers have packed some big political names into their primetime programming.
Here are five storylines to be aware of on Wednesday:
Pence’s Time to Shine
When Donald Trump formally introduced Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate on Saturday before the convention, he arguably stole the spotlight with a long introduction before leaving the stage for Pence’s speech.
On Wednesday evening, Pence will be the one in the spotlight as he has the most coveted speaking slot on the second-to-last night of the convention.
It will be a chance for Pence to show how he will connect with Trump and how they will bridge some of the areas of policy separation that they face.
The Nastiest Nicknames Return
During the primaries, Trump regularly dissed “Lil’” Marco and “Lyin’ Ted,” but on Wednesday night they’ll both be on stage where they will presumably praise their former foe.
Neither Sen. Marco Rubio nor Sen. Ted Cruz have actually endorsed Trump yet, but that clearly hasn’t stopped them from accepting a speaking slot on the second-to-last night.
They aren’t the only former candidates from this year’s race who are returning at the convention. Wisconsin Sen. Scott Walker, who made an appearance on Tuesday during the state-by-state roll call, will also be taking the stage.
Playing Favorites Amid the VP Shortlist
Trump made a big public display during his vice presidential search of how he was essentially auditioning his top three picks, and while he ended up going with Pence, he’s clearly keeping Newt Gingrich close to his heart.
While the other final contender, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, spoke Tuesday on the second day of the convention, convention organizers gave the former speaker of the House and his wife Callista the slot before Pence on the second-to-last night.
Seeing How Protests Progress
The at times violent protests during the primaries as well as the recent targeted shootings of police officers ramped up the concerns about safety at the RNC.
There have been regular protests throughout the first two days of the convention, but they have been largely peaceful and there were less than a half dozen arrests from Sunday through Tuesday evening.
Thousands of law enforcement officers from different jurisdictions were brought into Cleveland, and they have been seen en masse throughout, but there have been minimal altercations.
The crowds have grown as the days have progressed, but it remains to be seen if anything will escalate.
Never-Trump Is No More: Where Do They Go Now?
It’s over for the Never-Trump movement: Trump has won the nomination, and there’s nothing else to do except maybe try to be disruptive later.
While there had been a bit of action during the rules vote on Monday, the roll call went relatively seamlessly on Tuesday, and Trump has clinched the party’s nomination.
There had been speculation ahead of the announcement of Pence as Trump’s vice presidential pick that those involved in the Never-Trump and “Stop Trump” movements would try to force a change over the running mate, but that too passed when Pence was selected by acclamation and didn’t even need to be voted in.
It remains to be seen if those anti-Trump forces are resigned to being finished or if there’s a new avenue of action they’re going to pursue.
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