Left: Obama Finally Steps Up

Barack Obama delivered the speech many on the left were waiting for. Will it be enough? Here’s what they’re saying.

• Obama seemed to shed his inner Adlai Stevenson, and discover “a new role model in the fighting Harry Truman,” writes EJ Dionne of the Washington Post. “For the cause of health care reform, it was about time.”

• It was the best speech of Obama’s presidency, and maybe since January of 2008, writes Noab Scheiber of the New Republic. “This one really soared and inspired,” and its invocation of Ted Kennedy was “pitch perfect.”
• Paul Begala was thrilled because Obama “called a lie a lie, and pledged to call out the right-wing thugs if (well, when) they continue lying.” He also argued for—but didn’t demand—a public option. “He plainly wants to maintain maximum flexibility to do as much good for as many people as he can.”