UPDATE: Tom Shales writes...
Afterward, the speech was pronounced "remarkable" by ABC commentator George Stephanopoulos, who also found it to be Obama's "most emotional" speech so far, more passionate than even his inaugural address. Reporters and analysts on other networks seemed basically to concur. The speech was workmanlike and, as always, proficiently delivered, but it could well be argued than in its closing moments -- after a dramatic pause in which he switched rhetorical gears one more time -- it achieved a certain greatness, or at least an admirable eloquence and fervor.
[...]
Whatever one might think about particulars of the plan or its various details, Obama seemed to try to present his side of the debate as evenhanded and levelheaded, and his motives and those of those supporting reform as pure and noble.
He was positioning himself as the bright, ambitious young president up against the stodgy old defenders of a corrupt status quo. He was like a presidential version of Jefferson Smith attempting to survive the slings and arrows of crass politicians acting on orders from big business. Such was the image that emerged from the speech, and it's hard to think of another living politician who could have put it over with more oomph or elegance.
UPDATE #2: Check out John McCain on South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson's "totally disrespectful" outburst last night. Wilson has apologized, after a flood of complaints apparently crashed the House website. Now, what about censure?
