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Subscribe to RSSNBC's Domenico Montanaro looks at the day in politics. The focus is President Obama's speech on America's use of drones. But there's some campaign news, too, with Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis., in Iowa and ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., making his first campaign stop in his bid for mayor of New York.
VIDEO: First Read Minute: Reality check: 'Charm offensives' are overrated
President Obama heads to Capitol Hill to meet with House Republicans, but perhaps too much is made of so-called "charm offensives." The structure and numbers of divided government are far more important. NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss.VIDEO: First Read Minute: Big budget battles
The budget debate continues as President Obama heads to Capitol Hill this week to meet with lawmakers as House Republicans and Senate Democrats are expected to unveil their budgets.VIDEO: First Read Minute: All eyes on CPAC
NBC's Mark Murray reports all political eyes will be fixed on the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) next week. This year's notable speakers include many potential 2016 candidates and past presidential candidates. However, there is one popular Republican leader who was not invited to address the conference: Chris Christie.
Video edited by NBC's Natalie Cucchiara.
VIDEO: First Read Minute: What's the deal?
As NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss, it seems as if President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner are closer to a deal to avert the fiscal cliff, but will they be able to sell it to their respective parties?
VIDEO: First Read Minute: Fiscal cliff crunch time
NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss the fiscal cliff deadline and President Obama's motives behind his trip to Michigan today.
VIDEO: First Read Minute: The CW turns on 'fiscal cliff'
In the ongoing fiscal cliff negotiations, some Republicans are starting to think the way forward is to give in to President Obama's demands. And as NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss, Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Paul Ryan sparked 2016 presidential speculation during speeches in Washington last night.
VIDEO: First Read Minute: Leverage
One month away from the fiscal cliff, NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss what the White House is offering in the negotiations including $1.6 trillion in tax increases and $400 billion in cuts to entitlements. Republicans have rejected the proposal, but negotiations continue.
VIDEO: First Read Minute: Let's do lunch, and a campaign reality check
NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss President Obama and Mitt Romney's lunch at The White House today and how Romney adviser Stuart Stevens may not be as ready to bury the hatchet as the former candidate appears to be.
VIDEO: First Read Minute: Cole, Durbin, Rice
NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss the ongoing fiscal cliff negotiations and how Grover Norquist's no-tax-increase pledge plays into the discussion. Plus, what happened when Susan Rice made a visit to The Hill.
Edited by NBC's Jordan Frasier.
VIDEO: First Read Minute: Obama's 'outside game' on fiscal cliff; Rice meets McCain
As the fiscal cliff negotiations continue, NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss President Obama planned to Philadelphia to advocate for his plan. And on Capitol Hill, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice met with Republican critics who may oppose her if Obama nominates her to be Secretary of State.
VIDEO: First Read Minute: Introspection
NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss the electoral challenges faced by the GOP in the wake of last week's election.