How Obama’s Speech Is Playing

New York Times: “Confident and at times cocky, the president used the pageantry of the prime-time speech for a defense of an activist federal government.”

Associated Press: “This was not a speech uttered in retreat. Instead, he brashly wagged his finger at his critics.”

Reuters: “Obama appeared liberated.”

Los Angeles Times: “At times boastful, confident and even cocky, Obama appeared unfazed by his party’s electoral pounding in the midterm election less than three months ago or his year of slouching approval ratings.”