Todd Purdum: "Of course, most of Obama's putatively serious proposals were purest claptrap. But, as a statement of national aspiration, Obama's speech was serious and purposeful and even bracing. He managed to strike a blow for nerds everywhere by insisting that the nation should applaud not only the Super Bowl players but the science-fair winners -- and he was rewarded with a standing ovation. If he accomplishes nothing else in his life in politics, Obama might just yet make it not only acceptable, but actually cool, to be smart."