NBC News: “The 2024 presidential race looms large over Biden’s State of the Union address, even though he has yet to announce whether he’s running for re-election. With a captive audience that traditionally assembles once a year, he isn’t about to pass up the chance to explain why voters should give him a second term.”

“Biden will use the speech to reach a wider audience that may have only a passing interest in politics and policy, and assure its members that he’s enacted plans that will make their daily commutes shorter and their prescription drug bills lower, a person close to the White House said.”

The Hill: Five things Biden is likely to say and not say in the State of the Union.

“President Biden and former president Donald Trump may have each drawn a record number of votes in 2020, but at this early stage in the 2024 election cycle, Americans show little enthusiasm for a rematch between the two well-known yet unpopular leaders,” according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.

“Neither Biden nor Trump generate broad excitement within their own party, and most Americans overall say they would feel dissatisfied or angry if either wins the general election.”

Also important: “Financially, more Americans say they are not as well off since Biden became president than those who say they are better off (41 percent to 16 percent). Another 42 percent say their financial situation is about the same under Biden as it was before he was sworn in.”

“Democrats are unfazed, even giddy about a possible 2024 rematch between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But the prospect of facing upstart Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is prompting whispers of angst within Democratic circles,” Bloomberg reports.

“While Biden advisers and allies haven’t yet settled on a strategy to thwart DeSantis, the White House hasn’t missed an opportunity to knock him in an effort to weaken him before he can announce a presidential bid.”

“DeSantis is a near daily fixture in Democratic National Committee attack emails, slamming his positions and policy moves. Biden advisers and allies are seeking to call into question the governor’s leadership, putting the two camps on a collision course over hot-button issues like abortion, taxes and education.”

“The Democratic National Committee is expected Saturday to approve the most significant changes in the party’s presidential nominating process in nearly two decades, ending the tradition of starting in Iowa and instead awarding that prize to South Carolina,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The changes would also reduce the importance of New Hampshire, which has traditionally hosted the first primary following Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses. The shifts would give greater early influence to Black and union voters, while reducing the clout of rural ones.”

“Iowa and New Hampshire have said they would hold unapproved contests, although the DNC has the authority to strip 2024 national convention delegates, as well as access to debates and voter databases, from candidates who campaign in unsanctioned elections. States that break the rules also can lose seats at the convention.”