RNC 2012 Chris Christie gets shot to prove he's not just a Soprano's look-a-like wit
RNC 2012
Chris Christie gets shot to prove he's not just a Soprano's look-a-like with keynote GOP convention speech
TAMPA — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will deliver the most important speech of his surging political career Tuesday night, giving the Republican National Convention’s keynote address as the nation braces for another potential tragedy in the Gulf.
As America nervously watches Tropical Storm Isaac roar on its deadly path to New Orleans, one of the Republican Party’s loudest voices will step into the national spotlight to promote Mitt Romney — and his own White House aspirations four years from now.
VIDEO: WHAT WILL GOV. CHRISTIE SAY?
“He’s a big personality, he’s pushing hard, he’s becoming a hero of the right and a hero for Republicans across the country,” said veteran GOP consultant Ed Rollins. “They will get to see his fire and brimstone, which he does pretty well.”
The keynote address is the high-profile convention slot that famously launched President Obama’s career. It’s Christie’s chance to have voters across the country see him as more than a Sopranos look-alike who recently got into a shouting match over ice cream on the Jersey Shore.
Big, brash, outspoken and often contentious, Christie caused some excitement late last year when he agreed to reconsider a run for President after he was approached by a number of big-name Republicans, including former First Lady Nancy Reagan. He ultimately decided it wasn’t the time and opted to stay in Trenton. But he became a fierce advocate for Romney.
Christie, who has made no secret of his ambitions to make it to the White House, denied a new report that questioned his feelings about the presumed nominee, saying he he passed up the second spot on the ticket because he doubted Romney’s ability to win. In an interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Monday, Christie slammed the report as “incredibly shoddy reporting.”
Christie’s speech is eagerly awaited by local delegates who traveled to Tampa.
“He talks straight,” said Brooklyn Republican Chairman Craig Eaton. “He says what’s on his mind, and he holds nothing back. That’s the kind of leadership we need at all levels of government."
Christie, who set off a media frenzy when he took an unannounced tour of the convention floor Monday, is planning to devote much of his speech to pounding President Obama, according to GOP insiders.
“We’re not going to need a pep talk after Christie finishes — he’ll wake up the echoes,” a senior Romney adviser said. “He’s not a shrinking violet.”
But Christie will likely be asked to muffle his roar if Isaac pummels New Orleans with anywhere near the ferocity of Hurricane Katrina seven years ago.
“He’s not going to rattle cages as much if people are sitting on the top of roofs,” said the senior adviser. “We will not be tone-deaf (about the storm). If there's a major disaster, there will be a different tone and level of energy.”
Monday’s convention slate was largely canceled, though the official proceedings were briefly called to order only to be adjourned to Tuesday.
The procedural move did allow the GOP to start a giant debt clock that will track the increase in the nation’s deficit during the convention — though far more Republican eyes were trained toward the Gulf of Mexico.
Convention officials reiterated that they plan to forge ahead with the condensed three-day schedule that will culminate in Romney’s acceptance speech Thursday night.
However, if Isaac slams New Orleans, it may be difficult for the GOP to feature images of cheering delegates at the convention juxtaposed with suffering storm victims — especially with Obama directing the federal response to those in need.
"We have a 'wait-and-see' attitude with what happens in the storm," said Romney advisor Russ Schriefer, who notably did not rule out pushing back some events to Friday.
Romney, still in New Hampshire, seemed to dismiss rumors swirling around Tampa that the convention could be canceled entirely if the Gulf Coast is devastated by the storm. “Got a great convention ahead,” Romney simply replied before pointing to his wife, Ann, who was also practicing her RNC speech. “She’s terrific.”
Ann Romney will precede Christie to the stage Tuesday night and the candidate’s wife is expected to introduce a different side of her spouse of 43 years. Her husband plans to fly to Tampa in time for her speech, his campaign said. Then he’ll head out to stump in Indianapolis the following day, returning for his acceptance speech.
Ann Romney, who consistently outpolls her husband, has become an effective weapon on the campaign trail, as her warmth serves to humanize the candidate, who often struggles to connect with voters.
"Ann Romney has the same problem that her husband does in that she's an elite woman - rich, and certainly could be accused of being out of touch," said Prof. Catherine Allgor of the University of California-Riverside who has written books about first ladies.
"But what she has as an advantage," Allgor said, "and she's used it, is this common ground of wife and motherhood, and so she's going to be more successful at bridging this approachability gap."
Meanwhile, Charlie Crist, who was elected governor of Florida as a Republican, announced Monday that he will speaking at the Democratic Convention in Charlotte next week. Crist changed his voter registration to “no party affiliation” after he lost in the 2010 Republican Senate Primary and many speculate he will run for governor again in 2014 as a Democrat.
With Kenneth Lovett, Erin Durkin and Thomas M. DeFrank
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EvanVanVan5 minutes ago
He's such an a$$hole, and people confuse it with charm...
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billhill23 minutes ago
The Ree-pubs are all excited about a Bobby Baccala impersonator. That should give you an idea of the really think of Mittens.
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Thin Ice35 minutes ago
I`m thinking about Old Ironside,Perry Mason,William Burr.Get your expleted deleted ready!Will he have a sandwhich or two while givin` the Speech?
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xtrh1 hour ago
Anyone who feels or breathes can not vote obama he is a anti american clown thats a proven fact by his useless term.Obama the clown just see the movie 2016 funny the so called NYC freeloades dont haveit on all the buses and more than ONE theater yea real fair thinkers clowns
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nlohu111 hour ago
If you vote democrat you get a liftetime supply of abortions and birth control....With the GOP people have a chance of jobs and a future for their kids...and reducing our debt, including the 6 trillion Obama has added....
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MELLOCA11 hour ago
With Willard Robmey as President the Middle Class Dream will definitely die as he will be focusing on making billionaires and millionaires richer while under his tax plan he raises taxes on working people. As far as reducing the debt if Nhlou11 believes this then I am selling him the Brooklyn Bridge for a 1.00. Like Willard Stated if you want to go to College ask your parents to pay for College forget about getting pell and tap as we will eliminate that to pay for tax cuts to billionaire and millionaires. If your a Future Senior under a Willard Robmey regime we have a Special for you as you get to pay up to $6,500 more out of your pocket to help pay for tax cuts billionaires and millionaires.
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nlohu1160 minutes ago
Mell....A very high percentage of middle class folks lost their wealth and homes under Obama....Life was a lot better under Bush, than now....For jobs and future for our kids...Romney 2012..
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NY60 minutes ago
Ain't Melloca smart? He calls Mitt by the name Willard. The only other person who does that is Sharpton and he's the joke of intelligent journalism. Ever listen to Al when he tries to interview without the teleprompter? He's a total know nothing without DEM talking points. But then I guess birds of a feather...................
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MELLOCA144 minutes ago
NY hey Einstein that's Mitt Romney's first name "Willard" you clown.
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MELLOCA140 minutes ago
Nhlou11 wrong again the Middle Class started losing there wealth from 2001 which is a fact for 8 years under the Bush Administration the middle class was losing there dream, however Fixed News will never tell you that. Well unlike you since your hear all day and collecting social security, medicare and public assistance since your a senior citizen I have to get ready for work
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nlohu1117 minutes ago
Mell...americans have lost 40% of their wealth...actually since Peloosi took hold of the house, starting in 07
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Anacondaman10 minutes ago
nlohu - the middle class started losing jobs during Duhbya's secretive admin... thanks to the GOPs that backed and supported the move to outsource AMERICAN jobs overseas to foreign nations, and the GOP deregulations that allowed insurance companies and banking companies AND WALL STREET INVESTORS to hoodwink the nation... Insofar as Medicare, the ONLY reason it is reported to be in trouble is because of the loss of jobs in America that are contributing less, and the fact that every time GOPs (habitually, perniciously) looted the Medicare funds, they NEVER REPLACED those funds.
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Anacondaman15 minutes ago
Nlohu - if you go away, and stay away... we won't get nonsensical bull-caca from the likes of you with your silly, ridiculous little stink bombs that contribute nothing to the topic.
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robem602 hours ago
I hope Paul Ryan doesn't start crying again when he sees the catering bill - LOL.
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bushwick123452 hours ago
O b a m a 2012
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nlohu112 hours ago
RNC will be having Cardinal Dolan blessing the convention....while the DNC will be having a 2 hour prayer by a very controversial imam....Wonder if the lefty athetists will have a problem with that imam...
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The Reader2 hours ago
I guess pedo hiding Dolan is not controversial?
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nlohu111 hour ago
Maybe dems prefer the guy that wants to get rid of our constitution and go for a caliphate....
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nlohu111 hour ago
Gay priests aren't good for our chruch, yes...
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puppetkristenalee3 hours ago
Yeah he's a bully. Telling it like it is. Libs can't handle the truth. Hey Josie, I have asked hundreds of people in Montclair if their taxes doubled since he was elected. So far you're the only one.
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Happy_Man5 hours ago
Fat bully...
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NY2 hours ago
Have to love to the libs, resorting to juvenile fat jokes is all they've got and according to them perfectly acceptable. Sad. The rest of us have entered the 21st Century. Maybe they'll decide to join us sometime.
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armecia2 hours ago
Juvenile fat jokes are not all that we ?libs" have about this more than 500 pound "wonder." It is clearly disgraceful that this man would seek to become president. without giving any thought to his health His girth would not even fit through the White House doors, and Air Force One would have to be remade so it woul not sink from his weight. Not only is he putting his health at risk, that along with his bullying while carrying an ice cream cone was really pathetic.
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nlohu1157 minutes ago
Armecia....you discriminating against fat people shows you are an idiot... What you think smoking cigarettes, pot and doing the white stuff is the way to go to become president?
