GOP convention: Delegates boo Cruz; Pence tries to unite

Delegates at the Republican National Convention thunderously booed Ted Cruz for refusing to endorse Donald Trump on Wednesday, clouding an evening intended to highlight vice presidential candidate Mike Pence as a unifying force for the party. The disorder provided fresh reminders of the fissures that remain.

Cruz walked onto the Cleveland stage to a standing ovation and held the audience's rapt attention until he told delegates to "vote your conscience" with no mention of nominee Trump, who had called him "Lyin' Ted" on the campaign trail. The crowd then turned on him with loud boos.

Soon after, Pence, in accepting the party's nomination, sought to bring the party together: "What unites us far exceeds anything that sets us apart in America," he said.

Also, Melania Trump's Monday speech continued to generate buzz as her speechwriter apologized.

What to know about the third day of the GOP convention:

BOOS FOR CRUZ

Cruz arrived in Cleveland with an eye on his own political future, holding a large rally with hundreds of supporters who greeted him with chants of "2020" - the next presidential election.

The Texas senator held the crowd during the first half of his convention hall speech, as he urged Americans to support the families of five police officers killed in Dallas this month. But he lost many delegates when he told them: "Don't stay home in November. Stand and speak, and vote your conscience. Vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution."

Speaking after Cruz, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich tried to do damage control.

"In this election, there is only one candidate who will uphold the Constitution," Gingrich said. "The only choice is a Trump-Pence Republican ticket."

PENCE DEFENDS TRUMP

Pence lauded Trump is his own man, an independent spirit, and said change in the country will be "huge" under his presidency.

Delegates cheered: "We like Mike! We like Mike!"

Pence framed the November presidential race as crucial to defining the makeup of the Supreme Court for the next 40 years. He said voters must ensure it's Trump picking the justices.