The Best State of the Union Reactions From the Hill

The State of the Union isn't just a big night out for President Obama. It's a shot for the hundreds of members of Congress who are at the Capitol for the speech to mingle with the swarm of reporters who are there and give them their best possible sound-bites. Or, well, at least try.

We'll be updating this story with coverage from our Hill team Tuesday night on what exactly's going on on the Hill, and how the Democrats and Republicans in attendance are trying to make the most of it.

- Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., after being asked what his favorite line was from the speech: "The last one."

- Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, after being asked to describe the speech in three words: "Well he spoke for an hour 15 minutes, so maybe two words would do: Nice try." Gohmert also spoke out on Obama's talk about race in his speech, calling it divisive. "When America elected the first African American president, I thought at least we had that issue behind us. "

- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on his main impressions: "He mentioned trade and I think expanding free trade will be an area of agreement. His problem is his own party," Cruz said. The speech "was filled with divisive language. He had rhetoric calling for unity while repeatedly attacking the United States congress." Lastly: "The president said not a word about his unconstitutional executive amnesty"

- Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on whether Obama effectively reached out to Republicans: "It got pretty partisan about, what, 60 percent of the way through? I though 'ooh, he could've kept from saying that.' I just think we need to be more conciliatory."

- Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, with notes in hand: "Surely we can agree that the right to vote is sacred... he was talking about illegal aliens"

- Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., on whether he saw any olive branches from the president: "That he's not running again."

- Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., on Obama's discussion of race: "I don't think he could avoid it nor should he. It's an important issue facing America,  and as the first African American president he's expected to address it and I thought he did it in a thoughtful and responsible way."

- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas: "I thought it was maybe more appropriate for the first State of the Union, not the seventh. He's got a record that's not totally square with the rhetoric." Cornyn also listed several areas the president outlined for which he could receive congressional support including trade, criminal justice reform and cyber security.

- Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.: "I think Democrats feel really reinvigorated by this speech and in a positive, optimistic forward-thinking way." On Obama's "won twice" line: "He's quick. He's very quick. Don't mess with the president."

- Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., on what needs to happen now: "We have to zero in on the middle class," he said Tuesday night. "I thought his proposals in so many ways, whether it's child care, whether it's community college, whether it's equal pay for equal work, all of this relates to the middle class of this country."

- Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., on what will and won't change after the speech: "State of the Union never changes the minds of the people in the chamber," he said. "It's meant to be an articulation of the presidents priorities and goals."

- Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.: "I think his whole tax approach is the biggest eye roll for me."

Sarah Mimms, Fawn Johnson, Rachel Roubein, Lauren Fox and Dan Newhauser contributed to this article.