Obama put on a defiant show in front of Rupublican-controlled congress

If US President Barack Obama wanted to show Republicans he hopes to work with them this year, his aggressive body language and off-the-cuff gibes ensured the mood was anything but conciliatory.

Pumping his arms, waving his index finger and gesturing with his hands, the president argued his policies had made the country stronger during his hour-long annual State of the Union address.

Although he admitted having flaws and promised to seek Republican ideas, he deliberately avoided giving the impression that the balance of power in Washington had shifted away from the Oval Office that he will occupy for two more years.

"I have no more campaigns to run," he said, causing a smattering of Republican applause, followed by laughter.

That did not sit well with the competitive president, who immediately ad-libbed a zinger that drew even bigger laughs: "I know 'cause I won both of 'em."

He even gave his opponents a wink.