Ryan accepts his VP nomination

GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman, will address the convention in the 10 o’clock hour tonight. Vice presidential candidates traditionally fill the role of attack dogs, leaving a party’s presidential nominee to stay somewhat above the fray. Ryan has shown no reluctance to be combative, saying, under Democratic President Barack Obama, the United States is “a nation in debt. It’s a nation in doubt. It’s a nation in decline.”

Other highlights tonight:

7 p.m. hour – Salute to libertarian U.S. Rep. Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential bid and remarks from U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, the congressman’s son

8 p.m. hour – 2008 GOP nominee John McCain, a U.S. senator from Arizona, will speak.

9 p.m. hour – Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who briefly sought the GOP nomination will speak. Former GOP Presidents George H. W. “41” Bush and George W. “43” Bush will be honored, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a 2008 GOP presidential candidate, also will speak.

10 p.m. hour – Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will speak.

What can you see on TV?

ABC, CBS and NBC will broadcast only an hour, from 10-11 p.m. today and Thursday. PBS will start its coverage at 8 both nights. Cable networks – such as Fox News, MSNBC and CNN – have expanded coverage.