VP nominee Mike Pence at RNC: Change in the country under Donald Trump will be "huge"

CLEVELAND -- Indiana Governor Mike Pence on Wednesday, July 20th accepted the Republican nomination for vice president ahead of his speech at the Republican National Convention.

Pence said he never thought he'd be standing on the stage at his party's national convention. He joked that running mate Donald Trump is charismatic and must have been looking for balance in choosing him.

Pence used his RNC speech to tell his life story. He paid tribute to his mother in the audience and said his dad would be surprised at the nomination if he were still alive.

Pence said Republicans have nominated a presidential candidate who never quits or backs down.

He said Republicans will retake the presidency in November because they're being honest with Americans about the stakes in the election — and the choice facing voters.

Pence said Democrat Hillary Clinton will never serve as president. He called Clinton "the secretary of the status quo." He said Democrats are going with a stale agenda and the most predictable candidate. He described Trump as his own man, an independent spirit, someone who "just doesn't quit." He said under Trump, change in the country will be "huge."

He said Trump has gone about as far as one can go in business, but has never turned his back on American workers.

The Indiana governor also said Trump won't ever turn his back on American service members, either.

He framed the November presidential race as crucial to defining the makeup of the Supreme Court for the next 40 years. Pence said voters must ensure that it's Trump picking the next high court justices, and said Clinton would choose justices who would take unconstitutional actions.

He says it's crucial to elect Trump to protect the Second Amendment, "the sanctity of life" and other liberties.