In final State of Union, Obama aims to define his presidency

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Sunday, January 10, 2016
This undated image shows President Barack Obama in Washington D.C.
This undated image shows President Barack Obama in Washington D.C.
kgo-AP

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is out of time to push a new legislative agenda, so for his final State of the Union address, he'll look past Congress and look to the American people.

His aim is to define his presidency and legacy before others can do it for him.

Obama's prime-time speech Tuesday won't include the traditional list of proposals, new policies and appeals for new laws.

READ: The special guests invited to President Obama's final State of the Union Address

Instead, he'll offer a broad overview of what he's accomplished and what's undone.

Aides say Obama will give his assessment of what the country looks like in 2016 and the direction he hopes it'll take the next five, 10, 15 years into the future.

He'll also try to give a burst of energy to initiatives he's hoping to push past the finish line.