Romney surrogate McDonnell says Obama stimulus plan helped Virginia

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) wandered off script somewhat Sunday as a surrogate for the Mitt Romney presidential campaign, conceding that President Obamas stimulus measures helped his state weather the economic crisis.

McDonnell, a potential vice presidential candidate who has sought to walk a tightrope between conservatives and moderates, acknowledged on CNNs “State of the Union that federal assistance aided Virginia in balancing its budget, but said it had no positive long-term impact.