NJ Gov. Christie Gets "Lincoln Day" Award In Philly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - New Jersey governor Chris Christie crossed the Delaware River today to accept the annual Lincoln Day award from the Union League of Philadelphia.

Christie told the Union League crowd that he's focusing on three big things: discipline in spending, reining in the costs of state pensions and health benefits, and reforming education by creating consequences for bad teachers.

Christie admitted he was preaching to the choir, telling the largely GOP gathering that they have an opportunity to change the course of their states and their country.

"We must remind ourselves all the time as Republicans that if we stand firmly and resolutely for our principles that we will win," he said.  "Because we're right."

Christie said leaders in government need to have the guts to say no -- as he did to the proposed tunnel between Secaucus and Manhattan.

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio 1060.