Bennett added, "I was impressed by the amount of time and detail that the president spent in outlining the reasons why we went to Iraq and why we are still there now. It was essential to do that because the drumbeat against him in the Democratic primaries has been on that issue. I think he did a stellar job in making it clear we are there because of America's values, and not political motivations."

Cannon added, "He repeatedly said America has a divine mission."

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, said — like the others — that "It will always be harder in an election year to pass his proposals. But he clearly understands the needs the country faces, and he outlined an aggressive program to achieve them. We'll give it a try and see how it goes."

Hatch, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said election year politics will make it difficult to pass in his committee such issues as immigration reform and a constitutional amendment to prevent recognizing homosexual marriage.

"Democrats want amnesty (for illegal aliens) and Republicans don't. It will be tough to pass anything. But I think his proposals are good," Hatch said. "It also may be impossible to pass a constitutional amendment that defines marriage — but it may be possible to pass one to ensure that states cannot define it for each other."

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