Tallahassee, FL - With the President's job approval rating at just 43%, Barack Obama has a huge job ahead of him for tonight's State of the Union address.
"One of the greatest powers a president has is the power to set the agenda," said veteran Democratic strategist Paul Begala, a close adviser to former President Bill Clinton.
"He (Obama) will use that power to great effect in the State of the Union address."
The State of the Union is a policy address and a chance for the President to lay out his wish list to the Congress and the American people. But it is always a political stage as well, a dramatic nationally televised theater for the President to frame his argument.
ABC 27 had the chance to speak with FSU Political Science Professor Professor Dr. Charles Barrilleaux. He said that he didn't think that the speech would be particularly important.
"This speech is important for the President because he can improve his situation and get his message out, which he hasn't done extremely well", said Barrilleaux.
The full interview with the professor is below.
Live coverage of the State of the Union Address is tonight from 9 to 10:30 pm. ABC 27 will also be live tweeting about the address.
