NBC analysts call President Obama's State of the Union address an optimistic take on the year ahead and say the president also used it as an opportunity to respond to Republican attacks.

The speech centered around the idea that post-Iraq War America can mirror the United States after World War II, with a nationwide focus on higher education and job creation.

"Think about the America within reach. A country that leads the world in educating its people. An America that attracts a new generation of manufacturing and high-paying jobs. A future where we're in control of our own energy, and our stability and security are not so tied down to unstable parts of the world. An economy built to last, where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded. We can do this," Obama says.

But Republican Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, offering his response to the speech, says the president is all talk and no action.

"President Obama is talented at giving a good speech, but his actions speak far louder than his words. He says he wants to create jobs, invest in shovel ready infrastructure projects, and reduce America’s dependence on Middle East oil. But then he kills the Keystone XL pipeline, and the 20,000 jobs and $20 billion of private sector infrastructure spending that died with it," Johnson says.

After outlining blueprints for education, immigration and tax reform, Obama reached out to conservatives and liberals on the issue of division in Washington.

"I recognize that people watching at home tonight have differing views about taxes, debt, energy and healthcare. But no matter what party they belong to, I bet most Americans are thinking the same thing right about now - nothing will get done in Washington this year. Or next year, or maybe even the year after that. Because Washington is broken," Obama says.

In a speech that many consider a first step on the campaign trail for Obama, Senator Johnson urges voters to make a different choice this November.

“In the year ahead, Americans will have a choice. Do we want to follow President Obama down his path of bigger government, unsustainable debt, higher taxes and energy costs, a government takeover of healthcare, and anemic economic growth? Or, do we want to put our nation on a path toward true prosperity and economic security?" Johnson says.

Obama's audience included Steve Jobs's widow and Warren Buffett's secretary.

Analysts say applause was more bipartisan than past speeches. They speculate that might be because Senator Gabriel Giffords, who recently resigned, was in the audience.

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