Virginia lawmakers react to Obama speech

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Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va.
On stabilizing the credit markets:
"While nobody likes the idea of continuing to prop up some of the banks, if the banks freeze up additional credit, then this economy is going to go even further down."

On Obama's plan to stabilize the housing market:
"I think the president laid out what was a good framework of a plan. We've got to make sure we don't reward speculators, but those folks who are upside down on their mortgagees, let's ... give them a little more time ... and get this housing market stabilized."

Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va.
On Obama's plan to stabilize the housing market:
"What we do will depend on the will of the Congress. I'm not going to sign off on anything that comes over from the administration, just because it's been proposed.

On the Obama administration's economic agenda overshadowing foreign affairs:
"I'm very concerned that we also need to be addressing the foreign policy area... It seems to me that foreign policy right now is just continuing along the momentum of the Bush administration without a lot of real changes and we need to step up and refocus our strategy in that area too."

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st:
"I strongly agree that we need to cut the budget deficit and that is something we need to accomplish today, without waiting for future budgets."

Rep. Glenn Nye, D-2nd:
"The first step to rebuilding our economy is investing in jobs and cutting taxes for small businesses and middle class families. Now we must make a real plan to reestablish fiscal responsibility and cut the deficit and we must start today."

Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-3rd:
"We have to make the investment in the future... and he's going to do it in a fiscally responsible manner. The first step is to get us out of the mess we're in."

Rep. Randy Forbes, R-4th:
"Some place their hope for [protecting jobs and homes] in Washington; I will continue to place mine in the commonsense of the American people who realize we cannot borrow and spend our way to the American Dream - we must earn it."

Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th, did not attend the speech due to a family emergency, according to his spokeswoman.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-6th:
"The American people are not looking for just any solutions. They are looking for the right solution ... We don't want to increase our dependence on government. I think we ought to freeze spending."

Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th:
On Obama's housing plan:
"We ought to help people if at all possible stay in their homes. I'm a little concerned if we're using taxpayer dollars to help people stay in a mortgage that they may not be able to pay."

"There is justifiable outrage right now that somehow we are taking taxpayer dollars and taking money from those who are playing by the rules and helping others [who may have a mortgage they can't afford.]"

"We've got to be about results. We can't afford to go borrow more money at this point and not have a program that works."

Rep. James P. Moran, D-8th:
"He's wonderful at talking the talk. He's going to have to be even better at walking the walk."

Rep. Rick Boucher, D-9th:
"It is ultimately to the benefit of everyone, including homeowners who are responsibly paying their mortgages, and ... the broad national economy, if we take steps to stem the rate of foreclosures, and that is what the president's program is designed to do."

Rep. Frank Wolf, R-10th, declined to comment.

Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D-11th:
On Obama's housing plan:
"We have to do something. This can't be a survival of the fittest mentality. That's what the past administration was doing. That's what the other side is offering."

"My preference is that we help people who have made a good faith effort to keep their mortgage commitments. I don't think we ought to help clear deadbeats or investors who made a bad decision."

"I come down on the side of extraordinary intervention to help homeowners."