>> some in political life are captives of a money special interest that bullies and thugs its way through the hallways of my state house to get whatever it wants. >> reporter: under christie's reforms teachers as well as cops, firefighters, judges, prosecutors and all other state workers now pay more for their own pensions and health benefits. >> you're creating a bit of a firestorm, governor, they say you are being unfair. >> if the stakes are too high and the consequences are too real, so new jersey, whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me. >> reporter: one thing governor christie didn't mention in his speech last night was new jersey's unemployment rate for the month of july which stood at 9.8%, significantly higher than the national average, higher than when christie took office two and a half years ago. make no mistake about it, with his speech last night governor christie has officially arrived as a major voice in the republican party and a strong person to lead it in election cycles to come. martha: that was a big night