Washtenaw County's two representatives in the U.S. House had different reactions to Barack Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night.
U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, released a short statement after the president's speech, expressing some disappointment in what he heard.
President Barack Obama, flanked by Vice President John Biden and House Speaker John Boehner, smiles as he gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013.
AP Photo
"We need to build a healthy economy to help hardworking taxpayers by making government live within its means and pursuing tax reform to encourage small business job creation and bring jobs back to America."
U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, released a much longer statement, saying Obama spoke to core principles that will help build the middle class and grow the economy.
"As we prepare to address once again the fiscal cliff, we must be wise in cutting spending, but must also invest in the areas that will keep us on pace with the rest of the world," Dingell said.
"I believe that those who have the most among us must pay their fair share. Tax reform that is fair and balanced will reduce the burdens on our working folks and help provide revenue to cut our deficit and fund government programs that work."
What did you think? Which parts of the president's speech did you or didn't you agree with? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Take our poll, too.
And just in case you missed it, here's the speech.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.