The Hill News

New Jersey GOP Gov. Chris Christie used his State of the State address Tuesday to claim that his state has become a "national model" under his austerity regime. 

Christie -- who has become a nationally-known political figure for his tough talk -- said that the Garden State has made a sharp turnaround during his first year in office, but reiterated that more work has to be done to erase a massive long-term budget deficit and repair the state's woefully underfunded pension system.

{mosads}"In one year, New Jersey has gone from being a basket case to being a national model," he told an audience of lawmakers and others public officials gathered at the state capitol in Trenton. "So make no mistake:  Other states are watching what we do here.

The governor's bold words are likely to fuel further speculation that he could seek higher office in 2012, when President Obama will run for reelection.

Some pundits have named Christie as a potentia! l presidential candidate or vice presidential nominee, though Christie has said he is not interested in running for the White House. 

A series of YouTube videos in which Christie has confronted political opponents and his proposals to balance the state's budget while not raising taxes has earned accolades from national Republicans. 

Christie harped on some of those same ideas in his speech, urging the state legislature to continue those policies heading into the new year.

Christie touted his property tax cap and pushed for additional cuts to popular programs to bring down the budget deficit. He said he wanted to pass a comprehensive tax reform plan and make more headway in making the state's pension and health benefits account solvent. 

During his push for education reform, Christie also showed his national reach: Former Washington, D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, who also has a nationwide profile, was in attendance to listen to his ! address and he praised her as an exemplar for school reform.

The sometimes-brash governor also displayed the rhetorical style that made him popular with Republicans.

"We are showing other states that sometimes, to create real change, you’ve got to go all in and show a little Jersey attitude," he said.

Christie defeated incumbent Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine in the November 2009 gubernatorial election in a race political observers labeled a bellwether for the 2010 midterm elections, when Republicans made large gains on Democrats around the country.

But Christie has suffered some political setbacks this year despite his claims of overall success. His approval ratings dipped before the end of the year. 

He also also received heavy flak from opponents for canceling a long-planned rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York City, his efforts to change the makeup of the state's Supreme Court and his decision to remain on vacat! ion while New Jersey was blanketed with a late December blizzard that paralyzed much of the state.

New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Wisniewski blasted out a rebuttal of Christie's policies before his address, saying that his cuts have gutted the state's ability to create jobs, rebuild the state's infrastructure and improve failing schools. 

"Governor, New Jersey residents are struggling to get by day to day. They don’t want to hear you talk about how good things are and how we’re moving forward," he said. "They just don’t believe it and neither do their neighbors who say stay the course? Are you kidding?"