Rep. Todd Akin, who represents Missouri’s Second District (North of St. Louis), gives his response to Pres. Obama’s address to Congress and the nation on healthcare reform legislation.

Akin says Obama started out by "kicking Republicans in the teeth" about inheriting a huge deficit, but says that’s a moot point considering how much Obama’s plans have tacked on trillions more to the debt.

Akin says his proposal was "so grandiose" it almost invited skepticism and says Obama’s going to have a tough time pushing this through. He says Democrats are gun shy after hearing from constituents who are furious about their votes on environmental legislation previously. However, he says, "We’re going to have to wait and see," adding that it’s too early to tell if enough legislators will give the measure a yes vote.

"I don’t think his speech moved him forward in what he’s trying to accomplish," Akin said.

To hear all of Akin’s comments on the speech and the legislation, click the audio link below.

Northeast Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO9) has weighed in on the speech, as well.  He didn’t think much of President Obama’s speech to Congress. Luetkemeyer says the speech was lengthy but lacked substance.

"Normally, you get handed out about ten minutes before the speech takes place, a copy of the speech," said Luetkemeyer in an interview with the Missourinet. "Last night we got a card – a laminated card – with talking points, the highlights of his speech on it, which to me, summarized his whole speech: Long on talking points but short on details."

Luetkemeyer says that while the President tossed Republicans a couple of bones, including talk of tort reform to lower medical malpractice claims, he was short on particulars.

Listen below for Luetkemeyer’s conversation with Missourinet’s Steve Walsh.

Jessica Machetta interviews Rep. Todd Aiken [Download/listen Mp3 - 13:13]
Download/Listen: Steve Walsh interviews Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (9:00 MP3)