Gergan just called tonight "a classic and shrewd use

[Still Sensible]

of presidential power." He said he's set Washington up for the major Presidential victory that will be declared when he passes the Recovery Act. And he sets the stage for showing more strength and gaining more victories down the road.

Pretty strong endorsement from someone who should know.

[Kahuna]

1. Obama has been on a tear since his address at the Democratic retreat last

week. Obama is showing great political skill in the way he's fighting back after the repukes reframed the debate to their advantage. The ball is now back in Obama' court.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. Gergen knows

He's seen it all, from both sides.

I loved how PRESIDENT OBAMA kept repeating how the people who are being obstructionist about the stimulus bill are the same ones who got us into this mess. He did it over and over, and I loved it.

He took no prisoners tonight. I love him.

[Still Sensible]

5. He was pretty shrewd in the way he finessed

his attempts to invite GOP input, while making it clear that he wasn't willing to entertain the same lame tax cut that haven't worked time and again.

The CNN poll, which has his approval at 76%, shows that 75% believe he is being bipartisan. Only 39% believe that the republicans are. He is winning the PR battle in a big way.

[aquart]

8. AND, he deftly claimed credits for the tax cuts that are in the bill.

And made the Republicans, ever so politely, look like whiny sore losers who didn't propose one damn thing worth doing.

I appreciated that.

[malaise]

9. It was excellent

I really enjoyed that.

[JerseygirlCT]

3. I think anyone who underestimates Obama's strategic and political

ability is bound to be disappointed.

He's so smart, and thinks so strategically. Everything said or done is said or done for a reason. What's especially refreshing to me is that he's thinking about it while he's answering - he's not reading canned soundbites his staff has prepared for him to inject into some question. He's thinking on his feet. A man with a brain as president. Imagine that.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

6. Like JFK,

only smarter.

[elleng]

4. Sensible, please STOP BANGING YOUR HEAD!

This is GOOD NEWS!

[Still Sensible]

7. You bet it is

the trouble with the head thing is that the naysaying republicans won't shut up. Every time they open their mouths lately I want to scream. McCain earlier today said he didn't want to burden his grandchildren with this new debt. Excuuuuuuuuse me! I guess the much larger debt from two wars and from malfeasance that McCain supported regulatory law changes brought about is okay though? Shit like that is why the bangin' goes on!

[Lint Head]

10. We are about to witness the biggest economic recovery in the history

of the America.
:dem:

[Joe Fields]

11. I would agree, and he used it well, I thought.

He stated his case very well, and in the process showed what real leaders do.