Washington (CNN) - The tough talking governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, will deliver the keynote address at the Republican National Convention, a senior GOP official told CNN.
The keynote is one of the highest profile speaking slots during convention week.
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Christie seriously considered running for president himself, a deliberation fueled, in part, by the urging of deep-pocketed Republican donors. He ultimately decided against it and endorsed Mitt Romney in Oct. 2011. Christie's endorsement was a big "political get" for the former Massachusetts governor during a contentious time in the Republican primary.
The New Jersey governor is a favorite among many conservatives for his street fighting style and willingness to challenge his political enemies. At times, Christie's outspokenness has caused controversy, but he is not known for backing down. On the campaign trail, Christie has been a vocal defender and advocate for Romney.
The long rumored decision to have Christie deliver the keynote address was first reported by USA Today early Tuesday. Christie gave the newspaper an interview outlining his speech. The GOP official confirmed to CNN that Christie would deliver the keynote address. An official announcement was expected to be made later in the morning.
Christie was elected in 2009 when he defeated incumbent Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine. Previously, Christie served as the U.S. attorney for the district of New Jersey during President George W. Bush's administration.
Several other well known Republicans will also speak at the convention including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
The convention will take place over four days later this month in Tampa, Florida, where Romney will officially receive the GOP presidential nomination and Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan the vice presidential nomination.
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The day after his last suit alteration was declared a state holiday... That day brought the number of unemployed tailors down 200 basis points in NJ
"If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen." –B. Obama
I hear Bill Ayers will be the keynote speaker at the democratic convention.
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I like how you don't let the truth get in the way of your talking point.
You must be a republican.
He will travel there by train; there is not a plane big enough to get him off the ground.
Yeah, he's tapped for a big role..... A REALLY BIG role..... darn heffer!!
The convention will be nothing more than an infomercial for the Republican party (same with Democrats). Just because fat boy gets to speak, doesn't mean he's that important.
All the important work will have been long since done by the time the convention gets started.
Christie speaks the truth with confidence and refuses to bow to the PC police wackos.
Charlie, you crack me up. Come to conclusions before all the fact are known. Sounds like a dem.
There's quite enough fault to find with Christie without resorting to personal insults. We should be above that.
Don Corleone is his speech coach. This ought to be better than the movie with the keynoter dropping the eff bomb every few paragraphs and then kissing Romney on both cheeks at the end.
Reading these posts, it is clear the dems are scared. Oh how much fun is November going to be. Of course the dems will whine saying the election was rigged, ignoring the fact that the people busted for voting multiple times are almost exclusively the democrat, and then having thugs with bats standing outside polling booths were only democrats this last election. Yet somehow, when they lose it will be rig, and the Party of Blame will further solidfy their name.
to be honest it will NOT be said in public but if Romney loses in November then look for Ryan and Christie to be on the stump for the GOP in 2016. If Jon Huntsman were in the mix as well the GOP might be worth another look....2 out of 3 that are not so far to the right to be extreme and if they were to offer something better than the Dems would in 2016 I might pull the lever for them. This year though I will NOT for sure.
As i have watched Gov. Christie over the years, what i dont understand is what the he** is so attractive about a "LEADER OF A STATE" telling the people of that state, to "SHUT UP" "MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS" "YOUR STUPID/DUMB" and on and on and on. Totally unacceptable, does he talk to his kids and wife like that? and, do they also talk to people like that?That is really not a good look for a so called"LEADER" hey Gov, THAT IS NOT AT ALL ATTRACTIVE, learn some respect and treat/talk to people the way you want to be treated/talked to.
@ horse. Republicans have a long, and I mean LONG way to go before I'd consider any one of them for any office of government. They've produced no ideas, innovation or solution to any problems, and have adamantly opposed any bipartisanship. All I've heard from their camp is tax breaks for the rich, coupons that won't cover jack for medicare, and more wars in the Middle East. All this while jibber-jabbering about God, Guns and Glory.
I wonder who he's gonna call stupid this time. Romney? Ryan.
Christie is a thug.
Brenda
Maybe Christie can stick his big fist into Obama's lying mouth and shut Obama up. Obama promised he would do wonders if he was elected president. Yet we are practically in a depression. People have lost jobs, homes, and their families have broken up due to financial stresses, etc. I would rather have a man tell it like it is, than to have a man lie to the public and cause such hardships. We need strong people in our government instead of lying weak presidents. If people are stupid enough to vote for Obama again, then within four years we will be in a deep depression.
You been watching to much FOX......help me understand what did the President lie about. It is not his fault that you don;t have a job nor a man. It is not his fault that you are not happen with self. The president is not weak, and you sound like someone just broke you heart. Well my friend it was not the president ......so pull it in and get over it.
Obama 2012
Forget Christie's speech and Ryan's entry into the campaign, I want to know what Romney is hiding in those undisclosed tax returns.
I do agree with some of you that the fat jokes need to stop. - Oh, who am I kidding? The fat jokes are FUNNY!!! It kind of reminds me of how the GOPers make fun of the President and First Lady (ALL THE TIME – EVERY DAY). It's supposed to be funny when the GOPers make fun of people, but don't mess with Cristy Kreme. How does it feel, hypocrites?!!!
OBAMA 2012!
Why do I want to see Obama out of office? 1. His plan to pay down the debt in a balanced way by collecting $40 in additional taxes while adding a trillion dollars to the national debt every year. 2. His plan to get rid of the deficit–Tim Geitner for the administration to Paul Ryan;"We don't really have a plan–but we know we don't like yours." 3. Obamaks belief that the government is responsible for successful small businesses. 4. Obama's refusal to focus on issues other than personal attacks on Romney. 5. His apparant belief that average Americans like you and me are too stupid to see through this charade!! Give 'em hell, Gov. Christie!!!
big speech for a big man.......
The guy cannot be respectful as he does not even respect himself.
The Pillsbury dough boy to head off the GOP convention this is going to cost just about all of the campaign contributions for the food bill. I really hope that he isn't eating while he talks. Someone has to press his belly button and make him giggle.
An elephant speaks for elephants how apropos.
Christie is NJ's "bully-in-chief." He's a huge fundraiser for Romney and this is his payback. Christie's been all over the country campaigning for Romney instead of saying in NJ and doing something to lower property taxes, which he promised to do when he ran for governor.
When Chrissy heard about delivering the keynote, he thought he was going to get to eat a piano