Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) has learned a lesson from awkward State of the Union responses in years past, and tonight will offer his rebuttal to President Obama’s speech in front of 300 people in the House of Delegates chamber.
McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin told TPMDC that the newly inaugurated governor will speak surrounded by family, supporters, government officials and lawmakers who will be seated on chairs on the risers behind him.
That image – and likely applause – will be a stark contrast to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s response to the Obama speech (not officially a State of the Union since he’d just taken office) last year and to the two other Virginians tasked with the response during George W. Bush’s presidency.
The McDonnell speech will be live and will start a few minutes after Obama’s speech to the joint session of Congress concludes, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Jindal (R-LA) was widely mocked following his response, and both then-Gov. Tim Kaine (D) and Sen. Jim Webb (D) were criticized for their style of delivery. All of the responses have been direct to the camera, featuring the politician in their office or official residence.
The Times-Dispatch said the $30,000 cost for the McDonnell staging will be paid by the Republican Governor’s Association; McDonnell’s political action committee, Opportunity Virginia; and the Leadership PAC of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
