President Obama, flanked by Vice President Biden and Speaker of the House John Boehner, delivers his State of the Union speech Tuesday in Washington.

The president began by saying the U.S. economy is improving, and he left no doubt as to his intention to keep it that way.

"As long as I'm president," he said, "I will work with anyone in this chamber. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place."

The president also promoted comprehensive immigration reform.

"That's why my administration has put more boots on the border than ever before," the president said. "That's why there are fewer illegal crossings than when I took office. The opponents of action are running out of excuses. We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now."

And he emphasized the country's need to rely less on foreign oil by pursuing alternative energy resources.

"With 2% of the world's oil reserves," he said, "oil isn't enough. This country needs an all-out, all of the above strategy, that develops every available source of American energy."

The president also said he wants all states to require children stay in school until they graduate, or turn 18. And he said the wealthy should pay their fair share in taxes, arguing that anyone who makes more than $1 million should pay a minimum tax rate of at least 30 percent.