The State of the Union address gave President Obama an opportunity to reach out to the American people and try to restart the change agenda that swept him into office. Much of the speech focused on economic and financial issues, with a decidedly populist tone. He continued an emphasis on trying to remake Washington.

Many progressives were pleased that he urged Congress not to abandon health reform. “Do not walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close.”

Read more from Jonathan Cohn in The New Republic.

He also pleased many in the LGBT community by pledging to seek the end of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ for service members. He called the effort “The right thing to do.”

Read more from Julian Barnes and Kate Linthicum in the Los Angeles Times.

And the DNC was quick to make the most of Republican passive resistance to the speech. Quickly afterward, video was send to reporters showing GOP members of Congress sitting motionless as President Obama proposed popular reforms.

See coverage at Talking Points Memo.

More overviews and commentary after the jump…

The White House summary and video
“Putting Washington at the Service of the Middle Class”

Ezra Klein’s highlights, by topic
Ezra Klein’s commentary
Ezra Klein at The Washington Post, January 27, 2010

Obama’s State of the Focus Group speech
Ariana Huffington at Huffington Post, January 28, 2010

ANALYSIS: Judging success of Obama’s speech will require two yardsticks
Dan Balz in the Politics and Policy blog at The Washington Post, January 28, 2010

ANALYSIS: A dose of reality, a bid to restore magic
The New York Times, January 28, 2010

Obama’s first State of the Union: Jobs must be Congress’ No. 1 focus
The Hill, January 28, 2010

Obama’s speech a mixed bag for San Diego leaders
San Diego News Network, January 28, 2010