2013 was not kind to the President.

There were revelations about the NSA surveillance programs, dithering on military action in Syria, and the botched rollout of the Affordable Care Act.

The annual State of the Union address last night served as an opportunity for the president to refocus his message and persuade Congress and the American people to support his proposals.

Early in the speech, President Obama expressed his belief that 2014 can be a “breakthrough year” for America. He then outlined actions, many familiar, to boost employment and growth, reduce income and opportunity inequality, and secure American interests abroad.

But the question on our minds here at USDemocrazy is this: with a divided Congress that has struggled to even keep the federal government open for business, can we expect any major action from Washington this year?

Whether on bipartisan priorities like overhauling the tax code or reforming immigration, or more contentious issues like raising the minimum wage, Republicans in the House have shown little enthusiasm for acting on the president’s proposals.

And Senate Democrats have been unwilling to consider Republican ideas on reforming Medicare and constraining welfare spending.

Sounds like a formula for inaction to us.

Such gridlock likely fueled the president’s pledges last night to take unilateral executive action where possible to advance his administration’s priorities.

But in the end, President Obama’s greatest power may be the “Bully Pulpit”… the country stops to listen to him when he speaks.

Though major policy changes are unlikely in this Congress, the president’s highlighting of the important issue of income inequality will hopefully shape the national debate this year and influence the agenda of future Congresses and the next president.

But don’t expect many of the president’s ideas to be adopted this year. His record from last year’s address was underwhelming to say the least.

Check out the full speech, or read over the transcript.