The non-partisan's analysis of the SOTU.

Words/phrases on Putz's blog used to describe President Bush's speech:

Overall tonight's SOTU was Bush's best.
I thought President Bush was back on his game tonight.
It was a good night for President Bush.
...an inspiring, confidence-renewing performance.
Bush's supporters needed that about now.
He does a good job of spelling out the consequences of losing in Iraq.
Best line: "Whatever you voted for, you did not vote for failure."
...this was one of his better speeches.

Words/phrases used to describe Jim Webb's speech.

Comes across as stiff and awkward...
What, are there no Democratic Presidents Webb admires?
Maybe he should get a speechwriter.
I just don't think he did a very good job at all (contrary to the Fox panel's collective opinion).
But it was, I thought, something of a mess.

Yep. This is what 28% of America sounds like.

UPDATE:

Meanwhile, here's what Jonathan Alter (h/t Aravosis) of the reality-based community said about Bush v. Webb.

Something unprecedented happened tonight, beyond the doorkeeper announcing, "Madame Speaker." For the first time ever, the response to the State of the Union Message overshadowed the president's big speech. Virginia Sen. James Webb, in office only three weeks, managed to convey a muscular liberalism—with personal touches—that left President Bush's ordinary address in the dust.

I imagine they'll be a lot more reviews like this one.

UPDATED AGAIN:

Conservative Andrew Sullivan also gives Webb a thumbs-up.

It was, I think, the most effective Democratic response in the Bush years. He managed to bridge economic populism with military service and pride: a very potent combination. He did so with a sense of responsibility. The message, in short: "Lead us toward responsible redeployment in Iraq - or get out of the way." And he said it with testosterone and authority - more authority than this president now has.