LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "Mitt Romney will tell us the hard truths we need to hear to put us back on the path to growth and create good paying private sector jobs again in America," Christie declared to cheers at the convention.

Born and raised in Newark, Christie has never shied away from either praise or criticism. "I am pro-life, I believe in exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. That's my position, take it or leave it," he once said.

Bob Ingle, senior political columnist for New Jersey Press Media and the co-author of "Chris Christie: The Insider Story of His Rise to Power" says that Christie is a pragmatist who grew up with a Democrat for a mother and a Republican for a father.

"He had to weave his way through their views. Nationally, Christie is a moderate. But at home he is the most conservative governor New Jersey ever had," Ingle says.

Elected a member of the county legislator, called "freeholders" in New Jersey) in 1995, he held the office until 1998.

Christie earned his law degree from Seton Hall University and Christie became New Jersey's district attorney in 2002. When he resigned in 2008, to make room for U.S. President Barack Obama's appointment to the office, he was seen as "one to watch."

Beating incumbent Jon Corzine in 2009, it was such a bruising fight that Ingle opines it may have been the reason Christie, considered a potential presidential nominee, stayed out of this year's contest.

"Corzine, a Democrat, threw $30 million at him trying to destroy his credibility and he may not have looked forward to that on a national scale," Ingle said.

Christie distinguished himself as a federal prosecutor by being tough on corruption, targeting public officials. "[Christie] is their best communicator, and he's proven that he can win support from independent voters.

"That makes him very appealing on a national stage."

Christie has been criticized for awarding some questionable contracts during his term.

Christie gave David N Kelley, a former U.S. lawyer, a no-bid contract in 2007. Kelley had chosen not to prosecute Christie's brother, Todd, in a 2005 fraud case.

Christie also gave a consulting firm belonging to his ex-boss, the former U.S. attorney general John Ashcroft, a contract worth as much as $52 million in 2007 for monitoring a medical supply company.

"The no-bid contracts did not hurt him much ...The people who got them were Republicans so it certainly would not have hurt him with the GOP," Ingle says.

"In New Jersey, no-bid contracts are a way of life." Many are certain that Christie's ultimate goal is a bid for the White House.

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