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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Did W. die or something? Where's George at? Where's Shrub? IMO, by not having the last 2 term sitting republican POTUS there to say a few words, the GOP is is blaming the whole mess on him without saying it. I guess they don't want to remind us of what another republican president will do to the country.
The front page headline should be Ticker: Christie Tapped For Big Roll
Keep the Fat Boy at the convention, we don't want him in NJ!
i watched the entire run of the Sopranos, so no need to listen to him bloviate.
And the last Republican president and vice-president are strangely missing from all of the festivities. Hmmmm......
"Plenty of Twinkies to go around" The GOP announced on their Convention program.
Look, up in the sky. It's a bird. No it's a plane. Nah, it's, just the ol' Chrissy blimp. Must be on it's way to the Republican convention to cover all the overhead camera angles.
Hope he brings his fat boy sweat towel
Seems the best some people can do is criticize Christie's weight. That's easy and doesn't require a brain. Good thing or there wouldn't be many comments on this thread.
Christie's chins are like the Solar System we think there are 9 or more but some of them are just gas
OMG – yeah, parade that disgusting fat boy out where people can see him. I never knew he looked that bad until i saw a clip of him on the Daily Show.
If you can't even take care of yourself, how can you take care of a country? He'd be a scary pick for president – because that dude's a heart attack waiting to happen
Stop picking on fat people, we need love too!!
Oh oh here comes the marshmellow man, the Governor who ate New Jersey.
@ charlie
Did W. die or something? Where's George at? Where's Shrub? IMO, by not having the last 2 term sitting republican POTUS there to say a few words, the GOP is is blaming the whole mess on him without saying it. I guess they don't want to remind us of what another republican president will do to the country.
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I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE!!!! THIS WHOLE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS A JOKE!
SEE HOW THEY THROW PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR LIL TOWN HALL MEETINGS? YET, THEY SEND THEIR S*&T DISTURBERS TO HEALTHCARE TOWNHALL MEETINGS TO SHOUT PEOPLE DOWN AND BULLY THE CONVERSATION AND NO ONE THROWS THEIR BUTTS OUT! IT'S THAT SAME REPUBLICAN MONTRA OF 'DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO!"
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! NO MORE REPUBLICANS!!!!
OBAMA 2012!
He hides tootsie rolls in his fat rolls for in speech snacks
No fats jokes people. I'm twice as big as him. It is not fun rolling around town in a dump truck.
To you folks who are crying in your soup about this guy's bigness and people making fun of him. He has a choice to lose weight but he seems to revel in his fatness. President Taft, who was also obese, got stuck in the bathtub at the WH but he was not the bufoon this guy is.
The President has been called every name in the book by the tea baggers and that's okay? This guy cannot be insulted when somebody calls him out for what he is . . . . . dangerously obese!!
Gosh, I hope the platform doesn't crash, that would be a disaster.
Examples of the dem intellectualism, tolerance, open-mindedness, and sense of fair play. Hey, dems! Can you say, "hypocrite?"
I am gladChristie will heave such an important rol at the convention. I'm from NJ and we love him. Good for you Governor!
No wonder He gets a large roll look a the size of that pig
Why don't all you Oboma lovers put your wallet where your mouths are, send a blank check to him to pay for all his govermnent sponsored charities, so they can leave my paycheck alone. I'm tired of working hard while others sit home and suck off the system. Christie's no delicate flower, like Obama, but at least he called out the spend happy bums. Lets take a survey.....how many of you Christie bashers are sucking off the system? are older than 10? pay your taxes?
Geez! how many chins can I guy have??? when is enough enough?? I guess a guy needs a few more tax breaks to have gastric bypass and a face lift BEFORE the convention???
What a NJ loser
He has government insurance WE pay for with taxes. He needs to check with his doctors about the new FREE preventive care measures implements by the ACA; blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, for instance. But he probably won't because it's OBAMACARE, right? If Christie wants to be POTUS in 2016 he had better get a gym membership. I don't trust him to answer the 3am call before he raids the fridge first.
To Brenda – While I may not always agree with the actions of the President, may I remind you that the Republicans have made it their mission in life to be obstructionist. NOTHING got done because they refuse to COMPROMISE – so before you spout off and blame all this on President Obama, take a good hard look at the GOP there in lies most, if not ALL, of the problems. I don't expect ANYTHING to change. If Romney/Ryan should win this election heaven help us all.