US President Barack Obama is expected to set out an assertive agenda in his annual state of the union address.
Buoyed by improving economic indicators, the American leader will push policies that he feels will help the middle class.
In doing so, he's setting up further confrontations with the Republican-controlled legislature.
Malcolm Brown has this preview.
IN: "With unemployment...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 46 seconds
ALT: Republicans are already attacking and contradicting points that President Obama is expected to raise in his speech.
They say, for instance, that while unemployment is down, so is the level of participation in the labour force.
For his part, Mr Obama - who has issued a number of threats to veto Republican-backed legislation- says he will work with his political opponents where he can.
IN: "Our job...
OUT: …American people"
DUR: 23 seconds