President Obama delivers his fifth State of the Union address tonight, but it's only his second post-election address -- a speech that sets the tone for an entire term. How will tonight's speech differ from the one he gave in 2009?
Four years ago, Obama technically didn't give a State of the Union address. Just a few days after taking office, he addressed the nation and the terrible economic collapse he had inherited.
While the speech was ostensibly about the economy, he outlined a vision for a more progressive America, though his rhetoric was tempered by gentle attempts at bipartisanship. His campaign had been fueled by talk of "change" and "hope" and new ways of doing business in Washington, and the new president did not yet know that his attempts at compromise would be thwarted so thoroughly.
The county was in the middle of a crisis, so Obama called for economic stimulus, and outlined what would become the Affordable Care Act -- Obamacare.
This time around, Obama has no reelection to worry about, and no doubts about the Republicans' willingness to go down with the ship. He will mention bipartisanship, but he will plow ahead with his own agenda.
That will include new gun control measures and immigration reform, both of which fell to the wayside during his first term, amid economic concerns.
Of course, the economy is still in poor shape, and Obama can no longer point to his predecessor's mistakes, though he is saddled with a recalcitrant Congress.
Obama will call for targeted spending cuts in entitlement programs, but he will also insist that the wealthy must pay more to keep the nation afloat, a proposal Republicans claim will hurt economic growth.
Still, Obama has his reelection and high approval ratings buoying him. If there is a time for him to make bold proposals, this is it.