Christie spokeswoman Maria Comella said the governor will speak about American exceptionalism and discuss Reagan's "transformative leadership to depict how the United States' role and significance in the world is defined by who we are at home."

For several days now, there has been a renewed interest in whether Christie will reverse course and jump into the GOP race for the White House. That buzz has come as Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is leading Gallup and other national polls on the race, stumbled in last week's debate in Orlando and lost the Florida straw poll to Herman Cain.

Former New Jersey governor Thomas Kean, who has known Christie since he was a teenager, told the National Review that Christie is "very seriously" thinking about running and is getting entreaties from "major figures around the country."

Other people close to Christie have said in recent days that the governor hasn't changed his mind.

Christie, known for his bluntness, has gained wide acclaim in the Republican Party for his handling of the state's budget woes. He earned kudos earlier this year for his work with Democrats and labor unions to get an agreement from state workers to pay more for their pension benefits -- negotiations that Christie said should be a model for President Obama and Congress.

But Christie, a former federal prosecutor who defeated incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine in 2009, has said he doesn't feel ready to be president. His wife, Mary Pat, is said to be against the idea of a national campaign. And Christie has jokingly said that if he were picked to be a running mate then the GOP nominee would have to be "sedated" for choosing him.

Christie speaks at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif. The library has livestream video available on its website

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