President Obama's speech was memorable [1] for a number of reasons: he validated how overqualified Hillary Clinton [2] is to serve as president, but he also provided a foil to the bleak portrait of America that Donald Trump has painted. During parts of his speech, it seemed that Obama could have easily been addressing a Republican crowd — he even referenced the revered Republican icon Ronald Reagan. GOP commentators and #NeverTrump supporters were quick to notice Obama's optimistic and hopeful speech, and they were disappointed that their nominee couldn't convey the same sanguine message.

Take a look at some of the Republicans' responses below.

The GOP offered a vision of doom, despair, and division. Tonight the President I think divides us offered optimism. I hate this year.

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) July 28, 2016 [3]

Take about five paragraphs out of that Obama speech and it could have been a Reagan speech. Trust me. I know.

— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) July 28, 2016 [4]

American exceptionalism and greatness, shining city on hill, founding documents, etc--they're trying to take all our stuff

— Rich Lowry (@RichLowry) July 28, 2016 [5]

Will a Trump apologist explain to me why an 18 yo watching the conventions would want to be a Republican? We're giving away a generation

— Tim Miller (@Timodc) July 28, 2016 [6]

Text just now from a senior House Republican who gave me permission to tweet this: "We were supposed to make that sort of speech."

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) July 28, 2016 [7]

Still stunned. Feel like I'm in the twilight zone. Obama just defended America & conservative values from attacks by the Republican nominee.

— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) July 28, 2016 [8]

I am sure hearing a lot more about God and faith at the DNC than the RNC.

— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) July 28, 2016 [9]