Obama tests his sway against a GOP-run Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama this week will test whether he still has the sway to keep Washington focused on his own priorities, even as a new Republican-run Congress descends on the Capitol eager to take him on. Fresh off a two-week vacation, Obama immediately began ramping up for his State of the Union address - his best chance to set the agenda for 2015 on his own terms. Obama will roll out new executive steps and proposals for Congress this week on home ownership, higher education and manufacturing jobs - a similar menu to the one Obama has offered in years past.