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RICHMOND
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will deliver the Republican response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address tonight.
The designation tags McDonnell as a rising star in his party after winning back the governor's office for the GOP the home state of Obama's hand-picked Democratic National Committee chairman, Timothy M. Kaine. The State of the Union speech is scheduled for 9 p.m.
McDonnell's blowout victory over Democratic state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds and a GOP victory in New Jersey's gubernatorial race signaled a turnaround for the party after a Democratic sweep just one year earlier. Republican Scott Brown continued the momentum last week with his shocking special election victory in heavily Democratic Massachusetts to fill the seat of Sen. Ted Kennedy.
Republican leaders in Congress announced the decision earlier this month in a statement, saying that McDonnell "understands that the American people are more interested in shrinking unemployment than expanding government."
McDonnell was inaugurated on the 16th.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio asked McDonnell to deliver the party's response, the governor's office said.
It reprises a role that Kaine used in his first month as Virginia's governor four years ago to thrust himself on his party's national stage. Kaine delivered the Democratic response to then-President George W. Bush's State of the Union address.
One year later, Kaine became the first governor outside of Obama's home state of Illinois to endorse his newly launched presidential bid, and Obama last year became the first Democrat in 44 years to carry Virginia in a presidential race.
But delivering the out-of-power party's rebuttal carries risks.
Last year, another rising Republican star, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, earned less-than-rave reviews as he criticized the stimulus program a still-popular Obama had prescribed for a fearful country in a grim economy.
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McDonnell is for those that make over $150,000
He's not for the regular "Joe the Plumber" type. And it was obvious when he stated that we have the best healthcare system in the world. It only works best for those that make the kind of money he and his staff make, and all fellow lawyers.
It will be Interesting
It will be interesting to listen to Bob McD since so far, all I've heard from him is more spending, more fees and more tax increases. That is exactly what the voters rejected on Election Day.
Can't wait to see what he has to say. Maybe he'll just keep it short and simple. Maybe it will sound something like this:"Just like the President said and I'm with him!"
I haven't heard the word "tax cut" out of Bob's mouth since inauguration day.
It doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter who speaks or who doesn't speak. Both the president and the governor could just stay home and everyone watch a television show, the end results would be the same.
The government is going to do whatever the wealth oligarchy dictates and come Nov. 2010 we will vote on candidates selected by the oligarchy and we will feel all warm and fuzzy that we are electing change, but there is no change, because there is no real difference between the parties, Except for a few social and moral issues, such as abortion, which are simply used as wedges to divide the public, they are exactly the same. Partisans and pundits stand on their stumps and preach about how one party or other is good or bad, but its just a show. They are the same. Its all a big game played for the power to control the wealth of this nation. What does a millionaire have in common with the working class? Absolutely nothing. Do you really think they are concerned about you and your family? We are just props they use in their power struggle to control the wealth.
Well said open
It's easy to get caught up in the left-right paradigm. It has happened to me often, because I'm passionate about my beliefs. But I know it is more like you portray here. These guys are using our passions against us to keep us divided and maintain the status quo.
Governor McDonnell has Virginia affairs on his plate ...
... Why is he beginning his Administration with a foray into national politics? Republicans complained that Kaine could not be a full-time governor and still head-up the Democratic Party, Why are they in turn, doing what they criticize???
Knee-jerk opposition
The practice of following immediately, a Presidential Address with an opposing speech by people who can only be Knee-Jerks is dumb when this is not a political campaign season nor do the Knee-Jerks have time for a thoughtful consideration of the Presidential remarks.
I'm angry about political stuff taking-over my leisure time.
Using the Virginia governor is a mistake
Why on earth would the Republicans have another southerner speak? The Republicans already have nearly the whole south locked up, and what they need to do is help sway independents from the northern states that crossed over and voted for Obama. They should have picked some experienced midwestern or western senator or governor, to remind people that the opposition to Obama isn't just who you'd expect -- white southerners!!
Another Bobby Flames Out
Last year Bobby Jindal (a former rising star in the Republican constellation) flamed out in his response to Pres. Obama's state-of-the-union meesage. This year it will be Bobby M's turn.
little bobby a rising star???????
Little smirk face Bobby McD is certainly not a rising star in the political arena. 4 years as Governor will be the end of his political career.
Therapy, get some
Wow, you really hate Republicans. Especially your new governor. Am I right in assuming that he will do absolutely nothing right (according to you) during his term?