(CNN) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie built his keynote address to the Republican National Convention on the theme of telling tough truths to the nation. "We have become paralyzed by our desire to be loved," announced Christie, showing off the gruff, no-nonsense style that catapulted him into the governor's mansion. It's only fair to mention some tough truths about his speech, his tenure as governor and the state of the Republican campaign for president. The most striking truth (as Democrats pointed out even before the address) is that New Jersey under Christie has suffered from a severely troubled economy and soaring costs of government: the very things that Republicans like Christie blame on Democrats.
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Chris Christie built his keynote address to RNC on theme of telling tough truths to America
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Errol Louis says the New Jersey governor has to face the tough truths about his own state
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New Jersey's unemployment rate is high, and there are questions about finances, he says
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Louis: Christie's speech went over well, but he didn't mention Romney until late in his talk
No wonder Christie omitted "@placeholder Comeback" from his keynote address.