Many eyes were on President Barack Obama as he delivered the annual State of the Union address last night. But how did the speech play with area residents?

The Observer asked readers to weigh in on the president’s address using the Public Insight Network, a group of readers that offer knowledge and insight for stories. Responses were edited for brevity and clarity.

Want to offer an opinion? Click here for details.

Here is a look at some responses received so far:

Ben Cook, Charlotte

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Democratic
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: B
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: The president's tone and temper was on point to push the contrast between the extremes and efforts of the GOP. My only suggestion would have been a stronger analogy regarding that no man is an island unto himself. Regardless of how success a private business can become, it still uses the same infrastructure and services provided by the public. He should've really strengthened the point on this issue!

Doug Roberts, Huntersville

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Republican
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: C
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: Obama continues to try and “socialize” America. I’m sick of the class and race warfare along with his attempt at redistribution of wealth. He proclaimed he was going to unite Americans, but this is the most divisive I've seen America in decades. Last night was just more hot air and false promises. Abraham Lincoln once said “You can't make the weak strong by making the strong weak.” Unfortunately, that's exactly what Obama is trying to do.

Drew Simms, Charlotte

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Independent
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: D
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: The government is not always the solution, but rather the problem. Throughout the entire speech and every proposal offered, my only thought was "more government." "More government" is more expensive and we cannot afford what we have now. To hear someone suggest raising taxes to help pay for the deficit while at the same proposing new layers of expensive bureaucracy is mind blowing

Mike Charles, Charlotte

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Independent
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: F
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: He just does not seem sincere with what he says. Instead of being a uniter, he is a divider. Instead of being the Commander in Chief, he is the Finger Pointer in Chief. He instills absolute zero confidence in me that he has a clue how to turn around this country.

Mary Kielland, Indian Trail

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Democratic
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: B
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: I believe he means well and has tried to do his best but the Republicans have not allowed him to do it. I really feel it is all about race.

Gary R, Charlotte

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Republican
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: D
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: It was typical rhetoric with no real solutions given. As a capitalist democracy (thus far), our government cannot “make” jobs unless the ever-shrinking tax base pays for them. Our economy depends on new and current businesses growing and being invested in by others. Taxing the wealthy more aggressively reduces the potential of private-sector investment and hands more capital to a government who has never known how to responsibly use these precious tax dollars. The current administration has spent an un-imaginable amount of money that we do not have (our grandchildren's problem I suppose) to absolutely NO benefit to the real problem we have here. And he wants even more.

Howard Federal, Charlotte

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Independent
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: A
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: He showed again that with just a small bit of cooperation his centrist approach is correct He has offered to compromise but his extended hand has been slapped away repeatedly. Pure ideology never works, which, in my opinion, is what the Tea Party-elected officials represent.

James Anderson, Arden

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Democratic
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: A
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: I think the president has done a remarkable job when you consider he has had no help from the right side of the aisle.

JT Smith, Matthews

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Libertarian
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: D
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: It was nothing more than re-election ploy.

Dana C, Weddington

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Independent
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: D
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: While he did a lot of patting himself on the back, President Obama failed to recognize or acknowledge the true 'State of the Union' which is that of insecurity about the economy, a continued spike in unemployment and failed initiatives (Solyndra, bailouts, declining Keystone which would create tens of thousands of jobs). This was basically a campaign speech, which is not what we need. In 2012, we need action. And to continuously blame Congress - Congress's inaction has actually prevented further destruction of our economy by stalling legislation that would continue to add to our skyrocketing debt.

  I want real answers. I am tired of class warfare being pushed by this President. His change was NOT what I signed up for.

Wayne Wallace, Oriental, NC

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Democratic
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: F
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: He does nothing he says he going to do. He lies, his czars are the ones who run this country. Why is there no agreement with Brazil for oil? Or Canada?

Doug Narg, Huntersville

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Independent
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: F
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: It was the same old campaign speech, which is very tiring.

Lachavia Alexander, Martinsville, VA

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Democratic
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: A
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: I agree with the president on his direction for this country. He's facing the crises head on, asking for support and unity between both parties. I'm not pulling the race card, nor will I offer my two cents about it. However, his determination to put the "US" back in USA needs to be commended. My children will have a brighter future with him at the helm of this country. But if we remain divisive, closed minded, and so politically correct we will continue to down spiral. It's time to move from TRADITION to values!

Jason Habbal, Lake Wylie

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Democratic
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: A
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: He clearly has a plan to turn this country around but the Republicans are more concerned with tearing his administration down rather than working for Main Street.

Scott Osmond, Charlotte

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Independent
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: F
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: The speech was about the same old class warfare. The Constitution offers us equal opportunity, not equal outcomes. Nothing but socialism from this guy.

Mike Bush, Belmont

• What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely? Democratic
• Grade President Obama on his State of the Union Address: A
• Tell us more about why you gave him that grade: Message was positive, about moving forward, not wanting past to set our future.