Bob McDonnell says President Obama called to congratulate him

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia’s Republican Gov.-elect, Bob McDonnell, said he got a friendly congratulatory phone call from President Barack Obama after Tuesday’s victory.

    In a Wednesday news conference to outline top leaders to his gubernatorial transition team, McDonnell said the Democratic president called him about 11 a.m. Wednesday.

    He said the president praised him for a good campaign and he complimented Obama for his ideas on merit pay for teachers and charter schools.

    McDonnell said party affiliation would not disqualify people from service in his administration, but said he had not yet considered specific cabinet posts.

    McDonnell named his campaign manager, Phil Cox, to direct his transition team, and his campaign spokesman, Tucker Martin, as communications director.