New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will be the keynote speaker at the Republican Convention this year.  

Christie told USA Today he plans to offer some "very direct and hard truths to people in the country about the trouble that we're in."

He added that fixing the country's problems won't be easy but the "American people are ready to confront those problems head-on and endure some sacrifice."

The keynote address is the highest profile speaking slot at the convention for someone not on the presidential ticket.
 
Christie considered a 2012 presidential bid of his own before endorsing Mitt Romney. 

The GOP convention starts Aug. 27 in Tampa, Fla.