Ruth: Big names staying away from Republican convention

Normally a presidential nominating convention takes on all the trappings of a coronation, at least until Clint Eastwood shows up to stage a seance with an empty chair. Four years ago, the Republicans were in hot and sticky Tampa to crown Mitt Romney as their standard-bearer, who was easily defeated by President Barack Obama.

White House contenders Trump and Pence to address America

Donald Trump and his running mate will present themselves to America as the Republican team that will take on Hillary Clinton and her Democratic sidekick for the US presidency in November. Billionaire businessman Mr Trump announced Indiana governor Mike Pence as his running mate on Friday, adding an experienced politician with deep Washington connections to the party presidential ticket.

Pence ready to make the case for Trump

Gov. Mike Pence showed in his first national interview after being tapped as Donald Trump's running mate that he understands his job. Pence ready to make the case for Trump Gov. Mike Pence showed in his first national interview after being tapped as Donald Trump's running mate that he understands his job.

The Shadow Campaign Inside the Closed-Door Rules Meetings in Cleveland

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney along with vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan wave on stage after accepting the nomination during the final day of the Republican National Convention on August 30, 2012 in Tampa, Fla. As delegates, grassroots activists and party insiders converged on Cleveland ahead of next week's Republican National Convention , a last-ditch attempt to throw Donald Trump 's nomination for president into jeopardy fizzled, but the attempted power play was more about a shadow campaign for the 2020 presidential election than anything else, ABC News has learned.

Arizona Sen. Flake says Pence “adds to the ticket”

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake says Donald Trump's choice of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate "adds a great deal to the ticket." The Arizona Republican has been openly critical of Trump for months, saying his statements on immigration, trade and Muslims raise huge issues that have kept him from backing the presumptive GOP nominee.

The Latest: RNC chief says dump-Trump bid is bust

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren appears to have met with Hillary Clinton as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee considers a pick for vice president. It's the second known private meeting the senator has had with Clinton since she clinched the nomination last month.

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WHAT A VIEW: As the sun sets behind the Rocky Mountains, a golden light illuminates the clouds late Wednesday, July 13, in Denver. People wait in line outside the Richard Rodgers Theatre in hopes of buying tickets to the Tony Award-winning musical, "Hamilton," Friday, July 8, 2016, in New York.

The Latest: Governors pledge to fight opioid crisis

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, talks with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, right, during the National Governors Association meeting, Friday, July 15, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, talks with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, right, during the National Governors Association meeting, Friday, July 15, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Top GOP Operative: Mike Pence Once Thought Trump Was ‘Unacceptable.’ Now He’s The VP Pick.

Dan Senor, a respected Republican strategist who served as a senior adviser to Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, suggested on Friday that Donald Trump's vice presidential pick once found the real estate mogul's politics repulsive. In a tweet just hours after Trump announced Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate , Senor said he found the choice perplexing considering the two had previously shared a distaste for the candidate.

Trump makes it official: Mike Pence is hisa

Donald Trump has tapped Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate, picking a partner who has executive and congressional experience as well as support within the Republican Party's conservative base. Trump makes it official: Mike Pence is his running mate Donald Trump has tapped Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate, picking a partner who has executive and congressional experience as well as support within the Republican Party's conservative base.