Minnesota delegation reacts to Obama' speech

Members of Minnesota's congressional delegation react to President Barack Obama's speech on the economic crisis:

-Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Democrat: "President Obama believes in hope and he believes, like I do, that we can come out of this economic crisis, but it's going to take hard work and it's going to take America coming together."

-Rep. Jim Oberstar, Democrat: "He's not had much of an upbeat tone in his conversation with the public and with the Congress about the future of our economy. Tonight he offered that optimism. This is what Franklin Roosevelt did with such great success in the depths of the Depression."

-Rep. Betty McCollum, Democrat: "I think the president made it very, very clear that people are going to be held fully accountable and responsible for how American taxpayers' dollars are going to be used in this, and they're going to be used to stabilize the system, not for personal gain."

-Rep. Tim Walz, Democrat: "President Obama was honest about the terrible economic mess we've inherited and how difficult it is going to be to get out of it. But he also showed confidence that we can get out of this mess and that our best days lie ahead of us."

-Rep. John Kline, Republican: "I am encouraged by President Obama's overtures toward bipartisan cooperation, but actions must speak louder than words. Unfortunately, what we have seen so far this year from congressional leadership is ineffective legislation that favors the creation of new government programs over new jobs."

-Rep. Erik Paulsen, Republican: "What really troubles me the most is the amount of spending that has been going on in Congress recently. Driving up the size of the federal budget deficit continues to be a big problem, and I'm worried about the long-term effects that's going to have on the economy."

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)