he did propose a raise in the federal minimum wage. $9 an hour would be the new amount. abc s jonathan karl takes a look at what type of difference that would make for the average american. reporter: the president took his state of the union message on the road to asheville, north carolina, touting his most controversial new proposal, raising the minimum wage. it s time for an increase in the minimum wage, because if you work full-time, you shouldn t be in poverty. reporter: lucas case of anderson county, north carolina is a high school grad who couldn t afford college. he makes the minimum wage washing dishes. it s not fun living paycheck to paycheck. reporter: working 30 hours a week, he earns just $217, a raise to $9 an hour would mean $52 a week more in his paycheck. what would he do with the extra money? be able to do more things. have a better life. reporter: the raise would be enough to raise some out of poverty. a full-time minimum wage worker