decide the process. the translation is i reserve the right. >> wolf, president obama came, as expected, masterful, he's very good at this. i think what was unexpected is how robust the republican response has been. they have met him at his level and taken him on. and i think it's a pretty even score now in terms of the debating points. lamar alexander animated, forceful. tom coburn directly to the point. the other democrats are sort of fading here. it's really president obama now taking on the republicans and it's a fascinating conversation. >> so far not really responding in substance. >> it's sort of same old, same old from the democratic side. the republicans kind of shook things up a little bit by putting lamar alexander out there. i think that he's a folksy, different voice that people hear, and i think president obama is really carrying the load here for the democratic party right now.