'Competitive' Theme Expected In Obama Address

Expect President Obama tonight to talk a lot about being "competitive" during his State of the Union address. White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod says the address will be heavy on themes like the economy and education competitiveness more than a list of specific proposals. "The research and development and the ability to dominate the growth industries of the future, industries like clean renewable energy," Axelrod said. "And our ability to lead the world in the growth industries of the future will rely on us having the best educated work force, so he's gonna talk about that." Axelrod is leaving the White House this week to work on President Obama's re-election campaign in Chicago. He declined to give any hint of the president's preference for the Democratic National Convention. He would only say that both Charlotte and St. Louis have a lot to offer. NPR coverage of the president's State of the Union address begins tonight 9 p.m. on WFAE.