In an era of presidential tweeting and daily briefing, the unique role of the State of the Union is easy to miss. From a speech that was originally meant to "recommend to Congress¹s consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient," the event has now become an opportunity for the president to make the case on the national stage that his vision for the country has been and will continue to be the best response to the issues of our time.

The nature of State of the Union varies in relation to the election cycle, and in a year with the incumbent seeking reelection, we are more likely to see a stump speech than a substantive political agenda. But a stump speech can still be useful to the president, the Congress and the American people. This year, for instance, in the midst of the continuing effects of the Great Recession and a noisy Republican primary, President Obama will have an unparalleled opportunity to share with the entire country his definition of American values and how his America would respond to our increasing economic inequality, unsustainable health care costs, failing consumer protections and changing role in the world.

As with most political events, the role of the State of the Union depends heavily on the challenges we face as a nation and our proximity to elections. Regardless of its timing, however, it is a unique chance for the president, with the nation¹s eyes upon him or her, to convince us that we are on the right track to a more prosperous tomorrow.