WASHINGTON (August 14, 2012)—New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will deliver the high-profile keynote address later this month at the Republican National Convention in Florida.

He told USA Today that he'll be offering some "very direct and hard truths to people in the country about the trouble that we're in."

Christie, who is already working on his speech, said he will describe his experiences in New Jersey as evidence that Americans are ready to "confront these problems head-on and endure some sacrifice."

It's a slot that has been a big political boost for others including Barack Obama, who was keynote speaker at the Democratic convention in 2004.

Christie considered a 2012 presidential bid of his own before endorsing Mitt Romney.

He's already a favorite among fiscal conservatives -- in part because of his sometimes-blunt speaking style.