Associated Press
The Latest on the Democratic National Convention (all times EDT):
7:45 p.m.
On the same day Hillary Clinton is set to claim the Democratic presidential nomination, the National Rifle Association is coming out with an ad saying Americans’ “right to own a gun for self-defense is at risk in this election.”
The group says it plans to begin airing the 30-second ad on Thursday. It features a rape victim who confronted President Barack Obama over gun right at a town hall meeting this year. She tells viewers that “self-defense is your right. Don’t let it be taken away.”
Word of the ad campaign comes as the Democratic Convention features speeches Wednesday night from relatives of the nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, and the 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
The ad’s narrator says Clinton “would take away your rights.”
7:30 p.m.
Some Hillary Clinton supporters at the Democratic convention are becoming noticeably agitated by the continued protests of Bernie Sanders‘ most vocal supporters.
Danielle Adams is a Clinton delegate from North Carolina. She says, “I’m so exhausted by it.”
Some in the Colorado delegation at the Wells Fargo Center have scratched out letters in signs that say “Stronger Together” – and those signs now say “stop her.”
Delegates from Louisiana and Delaware are standing in front of them holding their own signs and attempting to block the view.
In California, an older woman in tears had to be led out of the arena because she was upset by some of the protesting Sanders backers.
Cheryl Brown is a state representative from California. She says the way some Sanders delegates are behaving is exacerbating tensions between the two campaigns.
7 p.m.
Harry Reid is speaking at his final Democratic National Convention as a senator, and the Senate’s Democratic leader is blasting Republicans and Donald Trump for wanting to – in his words – “tear down the pillars of middle-class security.”
The retiring Nevada lawmaker has some harsh words for the Senate’s Republican leader, Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell.
Reid says McConnell and the GOP have slandered the country’s first black president, whipped up fear of Muslims and sown hatred of Latinos.
Reid says parents are right to worry about their kids hearing what comes out of Trump’s mouth. He says Trump learned it from watching Republicans.
6:50 p.m.
Movie director James Cameron is calling Donald Trump “a madman,” and “incredibly reckless, incredibly dangerous” when it comes to global warming.
The director of “Titanic” and “Avatar” has made a short film – airing Wednesday night at the Democratic convention – about how climate change is harming the United States.
The film shows wildfires, heat waves and the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy – and then segues to Trump calling man-made global warming a hoax.
Cameron tells reporters that attacking Trump on his rejection of mainstream climate change science is a winning strategy for Democrats.
He calls Trump’s positions “incredibly reckless, incredibly dangerous” and later refers to Trump as “a madman saying we’re going to tear up” the landmark climate change agreement negotiated in Paris.
6:35 p.m.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson says Hillary Clinton can be trusted to fight for issues such as a fair Supreme Court, gun control and progressive policies.
The former presidential candidate says Clinton understands the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement and the shooting deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Alton Sterling.
Jackson also is congratulating Bernie Sanders for energizing the campaign with “ideas and hope.”
In Jackson’s words: “The Bern must never grow cold.”
Still, he says, “It’s healing time. It’s hope time. It’s Hillary time.”
6:30 p.m.
California’s governor is criticizing Donald Trump for failing to mention the words “climate change” or “global warming” during his acceptance speech at the Republican convention.
Jerry Brown says it’ll take “heroic efforts on the part of many people and many nations” to combat climate change. But, the Democratic governor adds, “You wouldn’t know it by listening to Donald Trump.”
Brown is speaking at the Democratic convention later Wednesday, and in his prepared remarks, he notes Trump has called global warming a hoax.
That’s why Brown isn’t holding back: “I say Trump is a fraud.”
Brown’s also disputing Trump’s assertion there’s no drought in California – only water mismanagement.
Brown’s response: “I say Trump lies.” He says Trump and others who reject climate science “are dead wrong – dangerously wrong.”
6 p.m.
President Barack Obama has a message for fellow Democrats, and all those watching the Democratic convention at home: There’s never been a man or a woman more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president.
It’s a theme Obama is stressing in his convention speech later Wednesday night.
According to the White House, Obama plans to say “nothing truly prepares you for the demands of the Oval Office.”
He intends to vouch for Clinton as someone who’s been part of his biggest decisions in the Oval Office and a leader who never quits – no matter the odds or “how much people try to knock her down.”
The president is set to describe his 2008 campaign rival as someone who listens to people, keeps her cool and treats everybody with respect.
Obama says, “that’s the Hillary I’ve come to admire.”
5:50 p.m.
President Barack Obama plans to tell the Democratic convention that the America he knows is “full of courage and optimism and ingenuity.”
The White House released a preview of Obama’s Wednesday speech to the convention a few hours before he’ll address delegates in Philadelphia.
Obama says Americans have “real anxieties,” including paying their bills, protecting their children, frustrations with political gridlock and racial divisions.
But he says during his travels as president, he’s “seen, more than anything, is what is right with America.” That includes people working hard and “a younger generation full of energy and new ideas.”
5:31 p.m.
Six drafts and a few late nights went into the speech President Barack Obama will give at the Democratic convention.
White House officials say work on the speech started in June and Obama got a first draft on July 18.
Officials say Obama stayed up until 3:30 a.m. this past Monday revising it.
The White House officials who provided reporters with details about Wednesday night’s speech spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the address publicly before Obama gives it.
Obama rehearsed the speech for the first and final time Tuesday in the White House Map Room. It clocked in at 30 minutes, with no applause.
Set to introduce Obama is Sharon Belkofer, a 73-year-old retired nurse whose son died in Afghanistan.
– Josh Lederman in Washington
5:30 p.m.
The White House says President Barack Obama’s convention speech will focus on Hillary Clinton.
Obama plans to go into detail about Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state and try to make the case she’s qualified to be commander in chief.
White House officials say Obama doesn’t plan to mention Donald Trump‘s name more than a few times.
Obama also plans to praise Clinton’s chief Democratic rival, Bernie Sanders, and his supporters – paying tribute to the fervor they ignited in the primary season.
The White House officials who provided reporters with details about Wednesday night’s speech spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the address publicly before Obama gives it.
– Josh Lederman in Washington
4:45 p.m.
A warning from Donald Trump to women.
He says if Hillary Clinton‘s elected president, “she’ll set you back a long way, women, if that happens.”
The GOP presidential nominee – during a rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania – is warning women to “be careful what you wish for.”
Public opinion surveys have found Trump ahead among male voters, but trailing Clinton among women.
Trump has said he’d “cherish” women if he becomes president. But he hasn’t discussed in detail how he would address such as equal pay and affordable child care.
4:40 p.m.
The Democrats are back in session in Philadelphia, and they quickly dispatch with the day’s first order of business: nominating Tim Kaine for vice president.
The Virginia senator’s name was the only one offered, and a half-full convention hall at the Wells Fargo Center decided by a voice vote to suspend the rules and nominate Kaine by acclamation.
Some supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders had talked about challenging Kaine’s nomination. They were upset that nominee Hillary Clinton didn’t pick a more liberal running mate.
Some delegates from Washington state chanted “roll call.” Some from California made some noise during the voice vote. But most in the arena cheered as Kaine was nominated.
The former Virginia governor is set to address the convention Wednesday night.
4:25 p.m.
As Hillary Clinton gets set to claim the Democratic presidential nomination, fellow New Yorker Chuck Schumer is preparing for his own next act.
Schumer may end up being Clinton’s top Senate partner – or a chief antagonist to Republican Donald Trump if Clinton loses the election.
Schumer is in line to become the Senate Democratic leader next year with the retirement of the current leader, Harry Reid of Nevada.
If Democrats succeed in retaking control of the Senate, Schumer will assume the job of majority leader and move into the pinnacle of Senate power – and the role of a lifetime.
If Clinton ends up in the White House, Schumer would have the chance to serve as her congressional partner in pushing through an ambitious agenda that focuses on public works and jobs – and promoting a more activist role for government.
4:15 p.m.
Donald Trump has proved he’s not a typical presidential candidate, so that may help explain why the GOP nominee isn’t keeping a low profile during the rival party’s convention – as normally is the case.
Trump has arrived in Scranton, Pennsylvania – that’s where Vice President Joe Biden was born. It’s also the state where Democrats are holding their convention this week.
Trump says he’s happy to break with tradition by scheduling competing events all week.
Trump was met with thundering applause by an enthusiastic crowd that soon started chanting “Lock her up!” – a reference to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
Trump’s response: “Even better, we’re going to beat her” on Election Day.
4:10 p.m.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations is criticizing a part of Bill Clinton‘s Democratic convention speech when the former president mentioned Muslims.
Clinton said in his address Wednesday night that “if you’re a Muslim and you love America and freedom and you hate terror, stay here and help us win and make a future together, we want you.”
The advocacy group says American Muslims are “tired of being stereotyped as a separate class of Americans whose loyalty is always subject to question.”
The organization is urging politicians to “speak to our concerns about Islamophobia, education, health care, policing policies, or even just repairing the pothole down the street.”
4:05 p.m.
Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence is getting ready for his first solo campaign stop – in Wisconsin, a state that Donald Trump lost to Ted Cruz in the primary season.
Pence – the Indiana governor – is scheduled to appear with Wisconsin’s governor, Scott Walker, at a rally Wednesday night in Waukesha.
The campaign is hoping Pence will appeal to Wisconsin in a way Trump hasn’t, and fill the void left by Cruz’s exit from the race.
Pence – who initially backed Cruz in the contest – has the strong support of Walker, and that might help Trump make inroads in the state.
3:55 p.m.
Hillary Clinton has made it to Philadelphia, where she’ll address Democrats on Thursday night at their summer convention.
A spokesman says Clinton arrived in the city Wednesday afternoon. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and daughter Chelsea Clinton were both at the convention Tuesday.
That’s when Hillary Clinton officially became the first woman to be a presidential nominee for a major party.
3:42 p.m.
Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg will offer a forceful denunciation of fellow New York billionaire Donald Trump Wednesday at the Democratic convention.
The speech is notable in part because Bloomberg was elected mayor as a Republican but is now a political independent. He considered making a third-party run for president this year before opting against a campaign. He said he worried he would siphon away votes from Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and inadvertently help elect Trump.
Members of the former mayor’s staff said Bloomberg, one of the nation’s richest individuals, will lay out why a Trump administration would be disastrous for the nation’s economy.
3:33 p.m.
Vice President Joe Biden plans to use his speech to the Democratic National Convention to argue that the world is too complicated to elect Donald Trump.
The White House says Biden will say in his speech that given the seriousness of the times, the U.S. can’t afford a leader with Trump’s lack of preparedness to handle national security. Biden’s speech comes after Trump’s recent suggestions that Russia should release Hillary Clinton emails and that the U.S. might not defend NATO allies.
Biden also plans to make an economic argument. The White House says he’ll tell the convention that Clinton and running mate Tim Kaine understand the plight of the middle class and will fight to improve their lives.
2:51 p.m.
Democratic Senate challengers seem to think they’ve found a campaign issue in Donald Trump’s remarks urging Russia to find thousands of emails missing from Hillary Clinton’s private computer server.
Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate Katie McGinty called on incumbent Pennsylvania GOP Sen. Pat Toomey to denounce Trump. She said in a statement that the Republican presidential candidate was “inviting Russia to wage a cyberattack against our country.”
In Arizona, Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is trying to unseat veteran GOP Sen. John McCain. Kirkpatrick campaign spokesman D.B. Mitchell says Trump wants Russia “to hack his political opponents” and is asking, “This is the guy John McCain wants to be our next president?”
Spokespeople for the Toomey and McCain campaigns did not immediately return requests for comment.
2:27 p.m.
A Bernie Sanders delegate is calling on fellow delegates to protest President Barack Obama when he addresses the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night.
In a Facebook posting, New Mexico delegate Kathleen Burke says Obama is “highly complicit in the silencing” of liberals because he supported Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders for the presidential nomination.
Burke promises a specific protest action by delegates over Obama’s support for a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement and that delegates should hold up a newspaper and ignore him throughout his speech.
The post is described as being from the New Mexico delegation and urges delegates to spread the word. It was made on the Facebook page of “Delegates and Friends of Delegates for Bernie Sanders 2016” which has more than 5,500 members.
2:15 p.m.
Former Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio says Donald Trump’s policy views will begin to take form as he settles into the nomination.
In an interview with WGN radio Wednesday, the Florida senator said Trump’s inexperience should be expected since he’s never held office.
By contrast, Rubio said that the public knows exactly what they are getting with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton given her long years in public service, something he describes as “even more disconcerting.”
2:05 p.m.
Donald Trump says, if elected, he’ll look into whether Russia was justified in seizing control of the Ukrainian region of Crimea.
When asked at a press conference Wednesday whether he would recognize Crimea as Russian territory and if he would consider lifting sanctions against Moscow, Trump said: “We’ll be looking at that. Yeah, we’ll be looking.”
President Barack Obama and the other NATO leaders have accused Russia of “destabilizing actions and politics,” including its 2014 annexation of Crimea. The act fueled angst in the Eastern Europe about Russian aggression.
Earlier this month, Trump suggested the U.S. could abandon its NATO treaty commitments in some cases.
1:15 p.m.
He’s being roundly panned for suggesting Russia find Hillary Clinton’s missing emails, but Donald Trump is doubling down on that call.
The Republican presidential nominee tweeted: “If Russia or any other country or person has Hillary Clinton’s 33,000 illegally deleted emails, perhaps they should share them with the FBI!” That was after Trump made the suggestion that, “Russia if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing.”
Republicans from Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence, to House Speaker Paul Ryan have tersely responded that Russia should stay out of U.S. elections or face serious consequences.
But former House Speaker Newt Gingrich tweeted: “The media seems more upset by Trump’s joke about Russian hacking than by the fact that Hillary’s personal server was vulnerable to Russia.”
12:48 p.m.
Hillary Clinton’s campaign is denouncing Donald Trump’s call for Russia or any other foreign power to attempt to recover the Democratic presidential nominee’s missing emails.
Trump, in an extraordinary press conference Wednesday, said: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing.”
He later repeatedly declined to condemn any international attempt to hack into Clinton’s account.
Jake Sullivan, a senior policy adviser to the Clinton campaign, responded by saying “this has to be the first time that a major presidential candidate has actively encouraged a foreign power to conduct espionage against his political opponent.”
“That’s not hyperbole, those are just the facts,” Sullivan said in a statement. “This has gone from being a matter of curiosity, and a matter of politics, to being a national security issue.”
Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
