RICHMOND (Legal Newsline) - Republicans are turning to Bob McDonnell, the former attorney general of Virginia, to deliver the response to President Barack Obama's coming State of the Union address.

McDonnell was sworn in as Virginia's governor this week and was selected by House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

McDonnell served as attorney general from 2006-2009. He resigned his post in February to concentrate on his gubernatorial campaign.

"As the American people continue to ask, 'Where are the jobs,' Gov. McDonnell has offered common-sense economic policies in stark contrast to Washington Democrats' job-killing agenda," Boehner said in a release.

"We don't need a government takeover of health care or a 'cap-and-trade' national energy tax - we need a common-sense plan to help middle-class families and small businesses and allow them to keep more of what they earn so they can save, invest, and hire."

Obama will address the country on Wednesday, and McDonnell will follow him.

McDonnell also spent 13 years in the Virginia legislature and is a former lieutenant colonel in the Army.

From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at jobrienwv@gmail.com.