Yahoo! News asked voters to share their reactions to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's keynote address at the Republican National Convention. In their own words, here are perspectives from voters across the nation.
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I like Chris Christie. I have always had an affinity for him--despite that I am a Libertarian at heart. Christie's brand of tell-it-like-it-is forthrightness and amicable openness appeals to me. His keynote speech at the RNC was no exception. It did for me what none of Mitt Romney's speeches has done thus far.
Whether Christie is sharing anecdotes from his youth or boasting of his bipartisan accomplishments, he manages to make a real connection with the people; I feel like I know and understand him better than I do Romney after months of Romney exposure in primary debates and speeches.
It was refreshing because many Americans are, as Christie himself put it, tired of being "coddled." We are ready to hear the truth, even if it isn't all blue skies ahead.
-- Kathleen Ann
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Chris Christie is known for calling things as he sees them.
The New Jersey governor's honest answers are what many Republicans love about him. His words hold weight because he speaks openly and doesn't beat around the bush or dodge questions.
However, as the keynote speaker at the RNC, I feel he should have addressed more of Mitt Romney's accomplishments rather than those of his own. He briefly touched on several issues that weigh heavy on the hearts of Americans, such as the deficit, a government that is too big and a failing education system--but related those issues to what he did as the governor of New Jersey. He failed to relate the issues to Mitt Romney's record.
-- Sarah Guiza
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Direct and plain spoken, Gov. Chris Christie is not a boring speaker, anymore than he is a man of small physical stature.
Christie called for sacrifice from all Americans: "Our problems are big, and the solutions will not be painless. We all must share in the sacrifice, and any leader that tells us differently is simply not telling the truth."
He invoked the Greatest Generation, and said that it was our turn to answer history's call, or our children would only read about American exceptionalism, not actually live it.
It was a powerfully delivered speech. I have been leaning toward Romney, based on our lethargic economy. With Christie's powerful speech, where he personally vouched for Romney, I continue to lean toward the Romney ticket.
-- Skip Griffin
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From listening to Gov. Chris Christie's speech Tuesday night, it seemed at first to be more about him than Mitt Romney. He talked about his background and his accomplishments, which made me think that it was a more of a "if Romney loses this year, think of me in 2016" speech than a real keynote address. Then, as the speech wore on, he hit the usual Republican talking points of smaller government, cutting spending and reducing the deficit and debt, and, as usual, the details were lacking. Maybe we'll hear them in Romney's speech on Thursday night?
In all, it was a good stump speech, but not what I have come to expect for a keynote address. Another thing that bothered me was massive amounts of "truth" in the speech. When someone keeps telling you he is telling you the truth, it makes you wonder whether he actually is.
-- John Hill
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Tuesday night, love him or hate him, Chris Christie deserves a little respect for his speech at the 2012 RNC convention. He relayed to the crowd his upbringing with a tough Sicilian mother and an Irish father. As Christie put it, "In the automobile of life, dad was the passenger." To me, it felt like the entire speech carried that family feeling. Christie hammered home: We need to unite and not divide.
I am no more, or less, likely to vote for Mitt Romney because of Christie's speech. Frankly, he barely mentioned Romney. Mitt was an afterthought. I am, however, more likely to vote for Christie when and if he decides to run for president.
-- Tim Bryant
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Christie's presentation, as always, had a strong edge to it. I love his strength, energy, principles and vision for the country and his state. Christie, unlike Romney, insists on respect and integrity more than political love.
It is too early to say whether Romney will do the right things or not with Democrats for the country, if elected. Christie talked more about his achievements in New Jersey instead of what Romney will do for the country, as the other governors did on Tuesday. This included balancing his budget without tax increases. I remain undecided between Romney and Johnson. Romney has failed to tell me how he will balance the budget like Christie did.
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I was very touched by his opening remarks as he recounted his upbringing and the struggles that his parents overcame. It was not lost on me that Christie's dad worked during the day and went to school at night, earning his college degree. As someone who followed the same path, I know how hard it is to balance a full-time job and education.
The governor chose a number of slogans that actually spoke to me. I was moved when he said that that "real leaders don't follow polls, real leaders change polls"--a clear indication that politicians need to do what is right and not necessarily popular.
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As a supporter of the GOP and Mitt Romney, I eagerly awaited the keynote speech at the RNC in Tampa by Chris Christie setting the tone for the convention.
I believe Christie nailed the theme of the convention--mostly. As Christie commanded the stage, it was obvious the continued Republican platform will be based on the ideas of "sacrifice" and "truth," key themes of Christie's speech. Both resonated with me.
I am left wondering how much Chris Christie is fully convinced Mitt Romney is the man to lead the country. Christie did plenty to cover the party platform and many of his own accomplishments, but it took him almost 20 minutes to mention Mitt Romney by name.
It seemed somewhat odd he choose that path.
