By Dave Andrusko
The news just keeps getting better and better. Pro-life New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will deliver the keynote address to open the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida. Pro-Life Florida Senator Marco Rubio will introduce pro-life presidential nominee Mitt Romney on the convention’s final night.
Both were said to be on Mr. Romney’s “short-list” of possible choices for vice president. Both are young (Christie is 49, Rubio is 41). Both are telegenic. Both are extremely articulate.
USA Today broke the news about Gov. Christie, best known to pro-lifers for his unwillingness to funnel state money to Planned Parenthood. USA Today’s Susan Page wrote that in an interview Christie said his 20-minute speech would be “emphatic” and would “focus more on making the case for electing Mitt Romney than the one against re-electing President Obama.”
As POLITICO noted in its story, “The keynote speech is the highest profile spot for someone not accepting the party’s presidential or vice presidential nominations.”
Gov. Christie is a pro-life convert. At a January 24, 2011, rally commemorating the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Christie told the audience outside the Statehouse in Trenton that he had not always been pro-life. That change came when his wife became pregnant with their daughter, who is now 14.
“It was at that moment that it became clear to me that being on the sidelines on that issue was not something that I could live with,” Christie said. “That child is a life which deserves protection.”
Gov. Christie also said, “What we need to do each and every day is to live our lives in a way that encourages everyone to understand why this cause is so important,” adding, ”To show that we respect the life of every human being, and that every human being is one of God’s creatures and deserves the love and respect that God gives to all us.” (You can watch Gov. Christie’s remarks at www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFcv9oX0xGU)
Senator Rubio will introduce Mr. Romney on the last night of the convention when Romney formally accepts his party’s nomination for president.
“We’re honored to have him introduce Governor Romney at the Republican National Convention,” said Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades. “Since the last night of the convention usually has the largest audience, it’s a great opportunity to showcase leaders who will play an important role in shaping the future of the Republican Party. Marco Rubio is that kind of leader.”
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