State of the Union: How Did Obama Do? Reactions and Commentary
Obama reached for the center, as Congress' "prom night" seating chart led to a civil, if subdued, reception. Will it help the Dems? Did Paul Ryan break through? Mark McKinnon, Meghan McCain, Eliza Griswold, and other Daily Beast contributors weigh in. PLUS: Watch video of the speech.
Plus, watch video of the speech and read full transcript.
A Triumphantly Unmemorable AddressBy Tunku Varadarajan
Obama’s speech shows he is a man newly aware of his limitations. Tunku Varadarajan on why that’s a good thing.
Obama Tries Out Bill Clinton's MessageBy Peter Beinart
Facing a Republican majority, the president had to drop his campaign-era themes for this State of the Union and pick up Clinton’s—talking about “winning the future” to underscore his energy and youth. And it worked.
A Grownup Speech to Please Folks at Home, Not PunditsBy Howard Kurtz
President Obama offered the GOP an olive branch on health care and Reagan-style optimism in an address that didn’t satisfy the talking heads—but will be seen by many Americans as common sense.
Longing for Partisanship!By Eleanor Clift
Obama’s speech was calm, pro-business, and devoid of big ideas. Eleanor Clift on why the State of the Union failed to inspire.
Ducking the Tough IssuesBy Mark McKinnon
Obama admirably talked up tort reform and a spending freeze. But the speech was flat, and the ideas fell short of the kind of change America needs.
Lawmakers ReactBy Benjamin Sarlin
Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Kristi Noem and more lawmakers from every part of the political spectrum share their takes on Obama’s speech with Benjamin Sarlin.
Obama’s Speech from the FutureBy Jeremy McCarter
With a unifying message and an audience integrated along party lines, Jeremy McCarter says Obama’s speech delivered on his campaign promise and showed, however briefly, that lawmakers are human.
Fixing What Needs to Be FixedBy Eliza Griswold
President Obama’s speech touched on the terrible state of America’s infrastructure. Eliza Griswold on what repairing it will cost—and where he fell short.
President Obama Seizes the CenterBy John Avlon
Channeling Reagan and Clinton, the president set about establishing a tone and a direction for the next two years—restoring America's economic competitiveness writes John Avlon.
Nice Rhetoric, but Need Real ResultsBy Meghan McCain
Meghan McCain says President Obama struck high notes on civility but failed to get concrete and show how he’ll make his promises actually happen.
Photos: The State of the Union