U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) issued a statement that said she shares the President's "vision of a strong America.''
"And as I listened to the President talk about the values of our citizens, I thought about the resilient families in northern Ohio who faced up to tough challenges without flinching and without running away," Miss Kaptur said. "Working together, we will redeem the American Dream and then pass it on to the next generation."
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She applauded the President's proposals to establish a special-crimes unit in the Department of Justice to prosecute financial crimes that brought about the collapse of Wall Street and the nation's devastating recession.
U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green) said the President's words about domestic energy expansion are at odds with his actions.
"He killed the Keystone pipeline. That's 20,000 jobs," Mr. Latta said, adding that he wasn't reassured that the President intends to reduce the regulations that he says are stifling economic growth.
"The No. 1 thing manufacturers talk about is the regulations coming out of this administration. I did not hear the President say what he was going to repeal," he said.
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R., Urbana) declared that "the President missed a great opportunity tonight to put the campaign rhetoric aside and commit to supporting common sense solutions that will help get our economy back on track.
"Instead, President Obama is pledging to double down on his failed plan of more government, more job-killing regulations, more borrowing, more debt, and higher taxes," Mr. Jordan said.
Rep. John Dingell (D., Dearborn), applauded the speech.
"The President discussed important points tonight and outlined a clear blueprint for future success: increase American manufacturing, expand American alternative energy development, improve American workers' skills, and renew American values. This will not only move America forward but also strengthen our economy to remain competitive globally," he said.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio), said the President's speech gave manufacturing the attention it deserved. "The next step is a national manufacturing strategy that enforces trade law, encourages clean-energy innovation, and trains workers for emerging industries. Tonight's speech helped lay the blueprint for a national manufacturing agenda that Democrats and Republicans can unite behind," he said.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D., Cleveland), said he was pleased that the President alluded to the strength of the auto industry in two places in northern Ohio: Toledo and Parma. And Mr. Kucinich also cited the President's reference to the Dream Act, a proposed law that Mr. Kucinich supported to allow the children of illegal immigrants to attend college.
"The President made a strong statement about American manufacturing," Mr. Kucinich said.
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio), said he had hoped "to hear President Obama lay out an alternative vision to the same failed policies of expanded government and more spending."
Instead, Mr. Portman said, "He seems to view individual tax reform as just another vehicle for higher taxes on job creators. On corporate taxes, I was pleased to hear the President express the need for reform. The right approach to make America more competitive requires lower rates, ending loopholes and preferences, and a territorial system that puts U.S. workers and businesses on a level playing field."
Jon Stainbrook, chairman of the Lucas County Republican Party, said the speech consisted of "political rhetoric and empty promises that Barack Obama has shown time and again that he can't deliver." He said the address was "a campaign stump speech."
In Toledo last night, Barbara and Eddie Rome hosted an event to listen to the President's speech.
Mrs. Rome said she agreed to host the party after she attended a meeting of Obama supporters in June.
"I like his issues, I like what he stands for," said Mrs. Rome, 66, a local federal government employee.
Contact Tom Troy at tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058.