OBAMA'S SPEECH PRAISED

Obama "sounded confident -- promising that the nation will rebuild and 'emerge stronger than before' -- without minimizing the grave problems that must first be surmounted," a New York Times editorial said.

President Barack Obama's debut speech to Congress was praised by leading US news media. They describing it as confident and setting a reassuring tone as he addressed a battered nation.

His address dominated front pages big and small with banner headlines ranging from "We Will Recover" to "We Hope He's Right."

The Washington Post, noted that Obama was "striking an optimistic tone that has been absent from his speeches in recent weeks."

The Wall Street Journal said the president "tried to put a hard stop to what he portrayed as a ruinous decade and to assure listeners that with shared sacrifice and a new sense of responsibility, Americans can emerge stronger than ever."

"Not since Franklin Roosevelt delivered his first fireside chat, eight days into his presidency, have Americans been more hungry -- and more desperate -- for economic leadership. And not since FDR has there been an economic agenda as bold or ambitious, or as likely to reshape American capitalism."

Obama "doesn't seem capable of bad speeches," added Post columnist Tom Shales.

"With his speech to Congress ... Obama tried to navigate shoals that have challenged other presidents serving during times of economic crisis: how to balance warnings of dire circumstances against the need to inspire confidence," read the main Los Angeles Times story.