GET READY FOR A GOOD SHOW – AT 9:28 A.M. ET:  Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey has been selected as the keynote speaker for the upcoming Republican National Convention in Tampa.

For those readers who've never heard Christie speak, you're in for a treat.  Chris Christie is to Democrats what a sledgehammer is to crystal.  Nothing will be held back.  Americans will see a hefty man – the estimates are that he weighs more than 300 pounds – laying it on the line, but in an entertaining and witty manner.  From ABC News:

Chris Christie, the sometimes abrasive but always entertaining governor of New Jersey, is set to be announced Tuesday as the keynote speaker for the Republicans' national convention later this month.

Christie, who considered a 2012 presidential bid of his own before endorsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt 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.

The scheduling decision was first reported online by USA Today early Tuesday and confirmed by Republican officials directly involved in convention planning. The Republican officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the formal announcement was not planned until later Tuesday.

"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 Romney campaign said Tuesday that Florida Sen. Marco Rubio will introduce Romney at the convention. Rubio campaigned with Romney in Miami on Monday, and both Rubio and Christie were believed to be under consideration to join the GOP ticket as Romney's running mate — a role that was filled Saturday by Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.

COMMENT:  So far, so good.  There are no real surprises at conventions these days – the winning candidates are known in advance.  So putting on a good show is important. 

The more relentless the attack from the GOP, the better it is.  Romney is up against a take-no-prisoners Chicago machine.  They will say anything to win.  They must be kept on the defensive and be made to work for every vote, even in states they've taken for granted.

We've said repeatedly that the campaign on our side needs energy.  Romney has now picked a high-octane vice president and a high-octane keynote speaker.  The issue for me is whether the effects of the octane reach the top of the ticket.  I'm optimistic at this point.

August 14, 2012