Obama Verdict: More Fizzle Than Sizzle

It wasn't a disaster, but even his allies say, "meh"

A surprisingly long parade of Democrats and media commentators who didn't think much of the speech described it less as a failure than a fizzle—an oddly missed opportunity to frame his presidency or the nation's choice in a fresh or inspirational light.

Even those who liked the speech generally went no further than saying that Obama was effective in doing a job that needed to be done, in a tough-minded if prosaic style.