Here’s the beginning of my quick take on the SOTU in the New York Post this morning (noted in Web Briefing):

Judging by last night, President Obama may have taken away only one thing from his recent vacation reading about President Ronald Reagan: the importance of optimism about America.
His speech was as upbeat as a Richard Simmons workout, as syrupy sweet as a Coca-Cola commercial and as positive as a Joel Osteen sermon. He sounded like he was trying out for head cheerleader on the “Go America!” squad, albeit in front of a congressional audience that was notably less rambunctious than usual.
Thematically, it’s hard to believe that the speech won’t go over well: What’s not to like in an extended celebration of the American idea, the American spirit and the American people? It’s as if President Obama were saying to critics who accuse him of not believing in American exceptionalism, “Oh, yeah? I’ll see you, and raise you.”
The question is whether the near-giddiness credibly meets the moment and is justified by Obama’s program…