Some Early Reax To Obama Speech

A sampling of reaction to President Obama's address to Congress:

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.): "President Obama's speech showed he recognizes the seriousness of our economic problems and the need to work together to put ourselves on the road to recovery. I was pleased that the president made clear that he is committed to cutting our massive debt during his first term, while also working to reform health care, improve our children's education and move us closer to energy independence."

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine): "I commend the president's call for fiscal discipline to help return our nation to a sound financial footing. I believe now is the time for both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue to commit to pay-as-you-go rules for both revenues and spending -- and reform the tax system to include pro-growth policies."

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.): "The president inherited a large deficit and an economy that already was sliding. While we haven't stopped the hemorrhaging yet, like an overwhelming majority of Americans, I am confident that President Obama is leading us in the right direction toward a recovery. It will be difficult and it will take time, but we will succeed."

Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), the House minority leader: "Republicans want to be partners with the president in finding responsible solutions to the challenges facing our nation, but thus far congressional leaders in the president's own party have stood in the way. That's why Republicans take seriously our responsibility to offer better solutions to address the concerns of the American people."

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.), a key Blue Dog Democrat: "After eight years of reckless fiscal policies and misleading budget gimmickry, it is refreshing to hear President Obama's clear and honest talk about the state of affairs as it pertains to our economic and fiscal outlook. We are in a deep fiscal hole. However, with the right tools ... we can reverse this dangerous trend and begin to put the country back on a fiscally sustainable path."

Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.): "President Obama's delivery of the state of our union was confident, but I am not confident that his agenda is the right approach for America. While I support efforts to eliminate wasteful spending and reduce the growth of government in order to reduce the deficit, adding a tax burden on small-business owners and employers is no way to increase jobs or grow the economy. Unfortunately, the confidence and trust in Washington has been lost, and borrowing more money or wildly spending will not help restore the essential confidence that consumers and entrepreneurs require."

Rep. Walt Minnick (D-Idaho), a freshman who voted against the stimulus package: "I join the president in a commitment to work together. These times are too tough and there is too much to be done to linger over the points where we differ. Instead, we must look to the areas where we agree: Our veterans need better care. Our children need more opportunities to create their own successful future. Our grandchildren should not have to worry about the burden of paying off our debts."

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R): "There is opportunity in every crisis, and President Obama is right to seize our global economic emergency as a time to lay a more solid foundation for our nation's growth. ... The path out of our economic crisis is to first stop the situation from getting worse, then to create jobs and then to nurture the industries that will lead our recovery. Through those steps, I'm confident that America will emerge stronger and primed for economic growth."

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee: "I have full confidence that he will make the investments and choices necessary to put us on the path to fiscal responsibility and keep the American Dream alive."

Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee: "Republicans are eager to work with President Obama on the challenges he discussed, especially restoring fiscal responsibility and growing our economy. ... The Democratic leadership in Congress must be willing to work with Republicans to stop out-of-control spending, promote the creation of jobs and to keep our troops properly funded. Now would be a good time for this young administration to ask the Democrat leaders in Congress to actually consider working in a bipartisan way to solve the real problems Americans are facing."

Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters: "President Obama made history. His speech marked the first time a president has called on Congress to pass a cap on global warming pollution in an address to both houses. President Obama knows that such a bill is the single most important step we can take to create jobs in clean energy, improve our energy security and protect our planet."