The Republican National Convention keynote speaker takes the podium Tuesday night, calling for stronger White House leadership.

In his speech, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie shared his own background with the delegates, and he focused on what he said is a lack of leadership in the oval office.

He said it’s time to end the “era of absentee leadership” in Washington, pointing to his own experience in New Jersey as he cut taxes, balanced the budget and took on unions.

People are willing to share in the sacrifice, he said, when faced with hard choices.

Christie assured the delegation that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have the leadership to make America great once again.

"Tonight, we choose the path that has always defined our nation's history. Tonight, we finally and firmly answer the call that so many generations have had the courage to answer before us. Tonight, we stand up for Mitt Romney as the next President of the United States," said Christie.

The governor told the crowd –-and voters in the TV audience-- that there are tough choices to be made and the solutions to our problems will not be painless.

Romney's wife, Ann, also addressed the convention, painting a personal picture of her husband rarely seen on the campaign trail.