Connecticut Reacts to Obama's State of the Union Speech [POLL]

Originally published on Darien Patch.

Here's how Connecticut's top elected leaders reacted to President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech. Tell us what you think in the poll and in the comments:

• U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, a Greenwich Democrat representing Darien and other towns in the Fourth District (who spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives earlier on Wednesday—see attached video): “I was pleased by two things the President said tonight and one thing he did. First, he reminded us of the absolute importance of educating every one of our children, every one of our people, so that they can be competitive and help lead our shared effort to rebuild a nation that provides opportunity for everyone.  We can’t expect to offer the American Dream if we don’t equip our young people with the capabilities and talents they need. Second, he called on us to make sure that we lead, not follow, on a clean energy future. Finally, the President struck an important—and needed—tone of optimism. At this moment when many Americans are discouraged and doubtful, he reminded us that our nation can accomplish anything if we work together.”
• U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, an Independent from Stamford who caucuses with the Democrats (according to a Hartford Courant article): "Now that we have heard the President’s State of the Union message, Congress should not let this year pass without taking serious action on the greatest threat to our nation’s economic  recovery—the ever-growing deficit,'' Lieberman said in a statement. "For at least  a few months, we should put partisanship aside and lay the groundwork for a serious reduction in the nation’s deficit, which is our best hope to help our economy and create jobs. I would also hope that we can pass legislation that has broad bipartisan support such as the cyber-security bill.  Although this is an election year, the people’s business cannot be neglected and that is why I believe it is essential to make progress on some of the critical issues facing our country.”
• U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Greenwich: "This evening the President outlined a clear roadmap for our country’s success as we continue to grow our economy. The President’s proposals to support American manufacturing and small business, who are the heart of our economic recovery, reinforce much of what I hear as I meet with students and working people in Connecticut. What’s most encouraging and important about the President’s message is that it supports what we’re doing in Connecticut—building a trained workforce, doing skill education in our technical schools and our community colleges, which I have visited throughout the state. Putting people back to work has to be what we make a priority, and reinforcing our values of fairness and rewarding hard work and responsibility are key to our continued success as a nation."
• Gov. Dannel Malloy issued the most verbose statement of the lot, so here's an excerpt (you can read the rest on the governor's website): "He called on Congress to end its partisan bickering and obstruction and pass meaningful legislation to bolster our recovery and accelerate economic growth. I couldn’t agree more. The President and I share a common vision for a strong and thriving economy—an economy that creates jobs and grows our middle class. [...] The President is right, now is the time to rebuild our nation’s aging infrastructure. Now is the time to restore the United States as the best nation in the world for advanced and precision manufacturing. Now is the time to once again make our education system the envy of the world through long overdue reforms."

Editor's note: Here's who various lawmakers in the Connecticut delegation took to the State of the Union, according to the Hartford Courant.