Republican Response

GOP: Gov’t Trying to Do Too Much

McDonnell: Federal spending "simply unsustainable."

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell gave the Republican response to President Obama's State of the Union address. McDonnell said the GOP was also worried about the unemployment rate, and instead of adding more taxes and regulation, his party favors policies that spur entrepreneurship and innovation. "Today, the federal government is simply trying to do too much," McDonnell said, adding that federal deficit spending is “simply unsustainable." McDonnell addressed health care, saying Republicans agreed it was time for compromise, but Americans do not want to hand over their health care to the federal government. He asked for citizens to offer their ideas for improving the health-care system via Twitter and Facebook. While he applauded Obama's Afghanistan surge, he criticized his response to the Christmas Day bomber. Closing his speech, McDonnell reemphasized the limited role his party envisions for government: “Government should have this clear goal: Where opportunity is absent, we must create it. Where opportunity is limited, we must expand it. Where opportunity is unequal, we must make it open to everyone."