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Download It seems a natural assignment for Chris Christie, the bombastic, in-your-face New Jersey guy whose confrontational style as the Republican governor of a liberal state has made him a rising political star. Christie, who will give the keynote speech at the Republican convention on Tuesday, may not be used to being an opening act but he is perfectly comfortable delivering the red-meat rhetoric that fires up conservative activists. And when he lays out Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney's case for a change in leadership from President Barack Obama, he will take a big step into the national spotlight with implications for his own potential White House bid in 2016 or 2020. As a Republican in Democratic-dominated New Jersey, Christie has been forced to reach out to independents while cultivating a pugnacious style that makes him a hero to some national conservatives. Romney hopes that double-edged appeal rubs off. Criticized as cold and cautious, he has not gained ground on Obama in polls since clinching the nomination in the spring - he now runs about even or slightly behind - and he had not fired up conservatives until he chose another of their favorites, Congressman Paul Ryan, as his running mate earlier this month. "Conventions are about rallying the troops and also about presenting your opening message to the broader public, and Christie can do both," said David Redlawsk, director of the Rutgers/Eagleton poll in New Jersey. | 
