Democratic Party of Virginia: IT'S TIME FOR GOV. MCDONNELL TO START ACTING
- DPVA Chair Cranwell: 'McDonnell should take care of business for the people of Virginia, instead of for the Republicans in Washington'

From the Office of the Democratic Party of Virginia

January 27, 2010

CONTACT: Leigh Anne Collier, 804-644-1966 x225

C. Richard Cranwell, the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, issued the following statement Wednesday on Bob McDonnell's State of The Union response:

"As an American, I was proud tonight to watch President Obama lay out a positive vision for our future and spell out his action plan to create jobs. And, as a Virginian, I was proud to see our Commonwealth represented again tonight, for the third time in the last five State of the Union responses.

"However, I question the wisdom of Governor McDonnell's decision to deliver this intensely political speech tonight, when he hasn't even managed to submit a budget plan in Richmond.

"Bob McDonnell ran as a governor who would provide leadership for Virginia's economy and transportation. But he has punted on transportation and become the first incoming governor in modern Virginia history to fail to put his stamp on the budget.

"Bob McDonnell ran as a bipartisan leader for Virginia. But when Washington Republicans came calling, he delivered a political speech in the people's chamber of the oldest legislature in the Western Hemisphere.

"Instead of engaging in more Washington politics, Bob McDonnell ought to be devoting his time and his talents to telling us what he's going to do to fix Virginia's $4 billion budget shortfall. It's time for Governor McDonnell to get back to taking care of business for the people of Virginia, instead of for the Republicans in Washington.

"Tonight, Bob McDonnell said Americans 'want government leaders to listen and act on the issues most important to them.'

"I couldn't agree more. Now, it's time for Governor McDonnell to start acting."

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