Research Briefing

The American Spectator’s Quin Hillyer: “I never wrote this in advance, but I had thought it was a bad idea to have Gov. McDonnell give the SOTU response. Well, I was wrong. That was by far the most effective SOTU response I have EVER heard in 30 years of listening to these things.” (Quin Hillyer, “McDonnell Was Great,” The American Spectator, 1/27/10)

The Associated Press’s Jennifer Loven: “[I]n the Republican response, Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia showed no sign of his party capitulating to Obama.

• Loven: “In fact, the choice of McDonnell to represent Republicans was symbolic, meant to showcase recent GOP election victories by him and others.”
• Loven: “McDonnell reflected the anti-big government sentiment that helped lead to their wins, saying in excerpts from his own post-speech remarks that Americans want good health care they can afford, just not by turning over ‘the best medical care system in the world to the federal government.’” (Jennifer Loven, “Obama: Government Faces 'Deficit Of Trust',” The Associated Press, 1/27/10)

AP’s Stephen Ohlemacher: “McDonnell told a cheering crowd of supporters in Richmond, Va., that Democratic policies are resulting in an unsustainable level of debt. He said Americans want affordable health care, but they don't want the government to run it.” (Stephen Ohlemacher, “Republicans Say Nation Can't Afford Dem Policies,” The Associated Press, 1/27/10)

• Ohlemacher: “McDonnell said that all Americans want affordable, high-quality health care. But, he added, ‘Most Americans do not want to turn over the best medical care system in the world to the federal government.’” (Stephen Ohlemacher, “Republicans Say Nation Can't Afford Dem Policies,” The Associated Press, 1/27/10)

Los Angeles Times: McDonnell hit efforts by Democrats to jump start the economy -- efforts he called lacking…” (“Republican Response: Gov. Bob Mcdonnell Invokes Jefferson,” Los Angeles Times’ “Top of the Ticket” Blog, 1/27/10)

• LAT: “The staging allowed for applause and, in some instances, humor.” (“Republican Response: Gov. Bob Mcdonnell Invokes Jefferson,” Los Angeles Times’ “Top of the Ticket” Blog, 1/27/10)

The [Hampton Roads] Daily Press: “[T]he Republican took substantive shots at Obama and Democratic initiatives, including the $787 billion federal stimulus, defense priorities, energy policy and health-care reform …” (Kimball Payne, “Gov. Bob Mcdonnell: Democrats 'Trying To Do Too Much',” The Daily Press, 1/27/10)

DP: “The national spotlight allowed McDonnell to introduce himself to millions of voters unfamiliar with Virginia politics.” (Kimball Payne, “Gov. Bob Mcdonnell: Democrats 'Trying To Do Too Much',” The Daily Press, 1/27/10)

• DP: McDonnell gave “the Republican Party a merry, pro-business face and staying true to the focal point of his campaign pitch — job creation.” (Kimball Payne, “Gov. Bob Mcdonnell: Democrats 'Trying To Do Too Much',” The Daily Press, 1/27/10)
• DP: “McDonnell criticized ballooning federal debt and said it's vital to cultivate entrepreneurship.” (Kimball Payne, “Gov. Bob Mcdonnell: Democrats 'Trying To Do Too Much',” The Daily Press, 1/27/10)
• DP: “McDonnell said it is counterproductive to extend the legal rights of a U.S. citizen to the bomber who attempted to blow up a plane over Detroit on Christmas Day…” (Kimball Payne, “Gov. Bob Mcdonnell: Democrats 'Trying To Do Too Much',” The Daily Press, 1/27/10)