It's best to break it down to intended purpose v. result.
The intended purpose was to grease the wheels for passage of a health care bill, yet to be determined, that had enough reform to appease congressional liberals and progressives. Just enough so they could vote for the eventual conference bill even if it was the very least thing legislatively that could be accomplished. Coming into the speech I was 100 percent sure Obama was going to jettison the idea of a govt run option for some sort of co-op or trigger thereby selling true reform down the river for a stop-gap that wouldn't change much nor help too many people. Well, the playing field has changed thanks to the teabagging antics of my former congressional Rep. Joe Wilson "representing" South Carolina's second congressional district.
Since Joe "lies" Wilson decided to try and shout down our 44th commander and chief nearly 2 million dollars have been raised for democrats. One million through the DNC and over 750,000 and counting for Joe's challenger next year, Rob Miller. Despite the intended result of the speech, the overall outcome is encouraging. Not only has the left been re-energized after a long month of August where democrats really lost the message war, the polls appear to be shifting as well. Positive movement for the President's favorability and handling of the health care issue can be seen in a new CBS Poll, an AARP poll and the Research 2000 poll.
Speaking of polls, PPP has one out this morning showing Rob Miller leading Joe Wilson in next years election, an election he lost last year by a 54-46 margin.
In summary, yes the President's speech was great. He is an exceptional orator, we all knew the speech would be great. However the outcome of the speech is greater than the actual speech itself. The outcome being regained momentum for comprehensive health care reform, favorability ticking upwards again for the President and a fundraising boon for Democrats. Not to mention the movement of a congressional race next year from safely Republican to toss up status. I'd pretty much give Obama an A.