Convention speeches sparse on Pence shoutouts

CLEVELAND — Mike Pence gave his big speech at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night, but only three of the 16 other prime-time speakers even mentioned Donald Trump’s running mate ahead of his address.

{mosads}The first mention of the Indiana governor came close to an hour into the night’s speeches, from oil billionaire Harold Hamm.

“Donald Trump and Mike Pence will restore the American dream for the next would-be visionary from small-town America,” said Hamm. “And [they will] make America great again!”

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) followed Hamm, exciting the crowd by repeating the phrase “America deserves better.” 

“America deserves better than Hillary Clinton,” said Walker. “That is why we need to support Donald Trump and Mike Pence for president and vice president.”

Later in the night, former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who was on Trump’s shortlist of vice presidential candidates, mentioned the Trump-Pence ticket a few times.

“Donald Trump won our party’s nomination because he is willing to tell the truth about the things that matter most. He has a great running mate in Mike Pence,” he said near the end of his remarks.

But the entire night’s speeches included no mention of Pence and his strengths alone until House Speaker Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) introduction of the Indiana governor.

Ryan lauded Pence’s accomplishments in his home state. 

“This man is a Reagan conservative, through and through: pro-growth, pro-life and pro-strong defense,” Ryan said before Pence took the stage.

Trump officially named Pence his running mate last week in an effort to win over conservatives and unite the party.