Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said Saturday the recent elections reflected U.S. citizens' concern with the direction the U.S. government is headed.

The Republican governor, providing the party's response to President Barack Obama's weekly address to the nation, applauded the election of Republican candidates to governorships in Virginia and New Jersey this week, saying the wins reflect concerns about Democrats' political goals.

"The results made clear the American people don't like where the Democrats are trying to take our country," he said.

Tuesday's elections ended with gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell winning in Virginia, while fellow Republican Chris Christie defeated New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, a Democrat.

Barbour said U.S. voters have failed to see positive results from the surge in federal spending Democratic President Barack Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress have marshaled through this year to combat the financial markets crisis and ongoing recession.

"Americans think economic growth and job creation are priorities 1, 2, 3 and 4. Despite all the trillions of dollars in spending by this administration and Congress, voters see little progress on jobs," the Mississippi official said.