(Thumbnail image: The White House)

“We don’t quit. I don’t quit. Let’s seize this moment to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more.” (President Barack Obama)

After President Obama’s first State of the Union speech Wednesday, reaction is mixed.

The President’s nearly 70-minute speech focused mainly on the economy, but he also touched on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, gays in the military, and health care among others.

We’re looking at the flurry of reaction in the aftermath of the speech, as pundits and political commentators ask—how effective was it?

Many news outlets report the president made a notable shift in focus toward jobs and the economy.

ABC'S GEORGE STEPHANOPOLOUS: “That speech, the president clearly defiant, clearly signaling that he wanted to go forward with his agenda, and he did not leave much on the cutting room floor.”

CNN'S ED HENRY: “You can already hear the president’s critics on the Republican side say this is a speech that maybe should have been delivered months ago. Basically jobs, jobs, jobs ...”

FOX NEWS' CARL CAMERON: “Last night was supposed to be something of a Clinton ‘I feel your pain’ empathy speech, but the Democratic members of Congress don’t have a path out of the pain.”

Others are turning focus to the tone of the speech. And depending on whom you ask, the President was either strong and defiant, or weak and pleading.

MSNBC'S CHUCK TODD: “You know what? It almost sounded like a retreat to be honest, when you think about it. That wasn't a defiant tone on health care. It was alsmot saying, 'Please give me health care. We’re so close. Please, let’s do it.'”

MICHAEL COHEN ON CNN: “What was effective about the speech was it set a tone. It sort of reflected a note of confidence and optimism, which he needed to do. It also kind of made it clear that he’s sort of became the guy inside of Washington looking out for the middle class.”

FMR. NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR JOHN SUNUNU ON CNBC: “Really last night’s speech was purely about Obama. I couldn’t believe the whining tone in it. He still continues to blame the last eight years, the last decade, his predecessor."

AL HUNT ON PBS: “It is a rallying cry to a large extent, to his base, his party. He succeeded in doing that. I don’t think he persuaded a single Republican in the chamber, but I don’t think he had much of a chance to do it going in.”

NPR: “Compelling, but familiar. If the president had ideas of how to make it happen, it escaped my ears. ‘Let's get it done’ and ‘take another look’ don't exactly sound like a game plan to me.”

What did you think of President Obama’s State of the Union address? Did the President take a strong stance, or did it fall flat? And now that the speech is over, what now?

Writer: Christina Hartman