In two weeks time, Gov. Chris Christie will deliver the GOP keynote address from the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
The trajectory of Christie’s political career has seen Christie rise from Morris County freeholder to U.S. Attorney to Governor and now a national figure, in large part, on the strength of his rhetoric.
“He is the best communicator the Republican Party has had nationwide since Ronald Reagan,” said political analyst Alan Steinberg.
“My understanding is all 50 delegations that are going to be in Tampa all requested that he speak before their delegation. That’s something that happens with groups,” said Assemblyman Jon Bramnick. “And that’s probably the first time ever other than somebody like Ronald Reagan.”
WATCH VIDEO:
Careers have been born and burnished in the light of the convention keynote.
Most of the country had not heard of Barack Obama prior to his star-making appearance at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Texas Gov. Anne Richards first came to national attention as the state treasurer of Texas, when she delivered the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention, mocking George H.W. Bush’s silver spoon upbringing. New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean gave the Republican keynote that year.
Four years later, New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley gave what some saw as a disappointing keynote at the convention that first nominated Bill Clinton.
For Gov. Christie, it could be a springboard.
“It’s his first real national opportunity. It’s prime time TV. I think it’s all upside for him,” said political analyst Bob McHugh.
“Three previous presidents have started their road to the White House at a national convention. John F. Kennedy in 1956 when he made the nominating speech for Adlai Stevenson, Ronald Reagan in 1976 on the last night of the convention. He made a speech that was unforgettable,” Steinberg said. And Barack Obama when he gave the Democrat keynote speech in 2004.”
A good speech could position Christie to be the nominee in 2016 if Romney loses this fall. Paul Ryan would be another 2016 possibility.
The speech could also strengthen Christie heading into the 2013 gubernatorial race, though one Democrat thinking of challenging him doesn’t buy that.
“Whoever gives the keynote speech at the Republican convention is there to support and embrace the Republican platform, which isn’t good for New Jersey as you know,” said Sen. Barbara Buono. “I’m sure that Chris Christie will go on the attack. That is his MO. He will go on the attack attacking President Obama. But he has to embrace their far-right, radical ideology of the Romney-Ryan ticket which is to privatize Medicare, to give tax cuts to millionaires.”
McHugh said he’s not convinced giving the keynote speech will bolster Christie in his run for governor. “Political insiders will watch it but I’m not so sure it really makes any difference to the people of New Jersey,” he said.
Some keynote speeches have been quite forgettable. Does anyone remember Susan Molinari, Guy Vander Jagt or Zell Miller? But no one NJ Today spoke to is expecting that to happen with Christie.
Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron has the full story.