(CNN) -- The tone of tweets on Twitter and posts on Facebook in reaction to President Obama's State of the Union speech Wednesday night were in contrast to the optimistic comments on his speeches to Congress in September and during his inauguration. Social media users showed more frustration compared with the more hopeful tones in the past, with many saying they hoped the president's rhetoric would lead to more action. Their frustrations with the lingering economic doldrums, high jobless rates and the battle over health care are reflected in Obama's approval ratings. They have dropped from 76 percent to 49 percent since February. Social media comments echoed those sentiments.
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CNN monitored Tweets, Facebook posts by Americans, politicians during speech
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Users divided over whether Obama's words will amount to action or remain just rhetoric
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Some questioned talk of curbing spending while announcing new initiatives
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Others wondered if Obama spent too much time insinuating blame on past administration
With his 1st #@placeholder, I know he's just empty rhetoric and I've gone nothing but skepticism."
"Listening to Obama talk about cutting spending is like listening to a fat kid talk about dieting while eating cake #sotu" -- @placeholder user franklazaro