Rep. Phil Roe (R., Tenn.) says of all the president’s speeches he’s listened to, tonight’s is by far the “least inspiring.”

“It’s hard to get excited for a speech,” Roe tells National Review Online. “People around this country are concerned. I ask the question at every town hall meeting: Do you think this recession is over? Not one hand has gone up yet.”

In terms of substance, Roe characterized the policies Obama recommended as “stimulus two, and the first one didn’t work.”

Even so, the congressman believes there is a way forward on a potential jobs package. “As ugly as the debt ceiling vote was, it was a bipartisan vote,” he says. “A number of Democrats and a number of Republicans passed it. I think both parties understand that the American people are tired of the bickering up here. They want us to work together.”