N.J. Gov. Chris Christie to give GOP convention keynote speech; Sen. Marco Rubio to introduce Romney

Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (L) looks on as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) speaks during a rally at Exeter High School on January 8, 2012, in Exeter, New Hampshire. / Getty Images

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, at times abrasive but popular among conservatives, will be announced Tuesday as the keynote speaker at the Republicans' national convention later this month, convention officials confirmed to CBS News. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio will introduce Mitt Romney as the GOP nominee.

Both men had been mentioned as potential running-mates before Romney settled on Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.

Christie, who considered a 2012 presidential bid of his own before endorsing Romney, is already at work on his speech to the convention in Tampa, Fla. His record of cutting his state's budget, curtailing public sector unions and dealing with a Democratic legislature with disarming and combative confidence all were expected to be on display as he looked to fire up his party's base.

"I'll try to tell some very direct and hard truths to people in the country about the trouble that we're in and the fact that fixing those problems is not going to be easy for any of them," Christie told USA Today in an interview announcing his speech. He said he will describe his experiences in New Jersey as evidence that "the American people are ready to confront those problems head-on and endure some sacrifice."

The keynote speech is the highest profile spot for someone not accepting the party's presidential or vice presidential nominations. The slot has launched many political figures, most notably a little-known state senator from Illinois named Barack Obama in 2004. Four years later, he won the White House.

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Christie, already a favorite among fiscal conservatives for his tough talk and take-no-prisoners persona, will find a national introduction of sorts in Tampa and, perhaps, offer the opening steps toward a presidential run in 2016 if Romney loses, or in 2020. The 49-year-old former prosecutor has shown little sign of his influence waning, and he has left the door open for a White House run of his own.

Responding to a question about a 2016 presidential bid, Christie told NBC's "Meet the Press" that he was "going to need a job" after 2013. He added, "So maybe it will be that. Who knows?"

Christie became the first Republican elected New Jersey governor in a dozen years when he defeated Democratic millionaire and ex-Wall Street executive Jon Corzine in 2009. Christie was among the most sought-after guest stars on the GOP speaking circuit and spent much of the recent years traipsing from Connecticut to Michigan and Illinois, appearing in Oregon and Minnesota to endorse fellow Republicans and elevating his own national profile.

Many in the party hoped he would mount a last-minute effort to get on the 2012 ballots. He weighed it and in October 2011 earned headlines when he declared with finality that "now is not my time" to run for president, dashing the hopes of Republicans still searching for someone other than then-front-runners Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Christie had insisted for months that he wouldn't run. But then came an intense weekend of reconsideration before he made a firm announcement at a news conference at the New Jersey Statehouse. His decision effectively made the campaign between Romney and the rotating cast of anti-Romneys who rose and fell as each primary came and went.

In leaving the 2012 melee, he said he wasn't seeking the job of vice president.

"I just don't think I have the personality to be asked," he said. "I'm not looking for that job."

But, apparently, he wasn't opposed to going to Tampa to deliver a speech that may rekindle buzz about his own presidential ambitions.

"It's what I accomplish or don't accomplish as governor that will be the springboard or not for me," he told USA Today. "It's not what you say but what you accomplish."

[josephp5]

What will make this convention worth watching is not the fact that Cristie is a large guy. It is that Republicans are desperate to paint themselves as ready to govern. But their skeletons keep spilling out of the closet! Where is George W. Bush? Isn't he the highest achieving Republican alive today? He should be their standard bearer! Especially since Romney is using all of his old advisors, and Romney's plans are nothing but George W. Bush on steroids. But they need to keep Bush hidden away in his cave. Likewise Dick Cheney, Sarah Palin, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, etc. etc. etc. That's what is so funny about this convention!

[T-Prop]

Excellent visual for The Party.

[officerjoe]

By these 2 selections along with the veep Romney has successfully closed out Ron Paul.If the Romney folks shenanigans are successful in blocking his delegates from attending the convention the RNC will totally eliminate the issues of non interventionism, crony capitalism, and constitutional government from the convention floor.Congradulations
RNC, you don't need the 2 million registered Republicans who voted for PAUL in the primary. Romney is so far ahead we can afford to disgard the. Let's just look at the polls: OOPS!

[esq777]

Going to need a bigger stage.

[venusvegasvada]

Christie is going to be the Comic Relief at the Wall Street Convention.

Guess he better start boning up on derivative and Off-shore tax haven jokes.

By the way Romney, where are your last 12 years of income tax returns?

The American people want to see just how much of a scumbag you really are.

[josephp5]

This Republican convention is shaping up to be even more entertaining than the Republican debates! I can't wait!

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

This is historic! The first sumo wrestler to keynote a major political convention in the USA.

[Mick_from_Amsterdam]

Looks as though decisions have been made at the RNC regarding Romney's viability as a presidential candidate...and they're ALREADY grooming their man for 2016...

I hope "grooming" this abrasive, blustering clown includes slimming him down a hundred or so pounds...

[Jaylah54200]

OMG, this just keeps getting funnier and funnier!