• Rubio's 2016 ambitions on the line ahead of SOTU response
  The Washington Times (2/10)     

• Obama could use executive powers on refinance effort, cybersecurity
  The Washington Post (2/10)     

• This week's poll: The drone debate
  The use of unmanned aircraft has been common on the modern battlefield for 20 years or more. Long used for reconnaissance, drones have been upgraded to carry weapons. A program started during the Bush administration and expanded in the Obama administration gives the CIA authority to use drones to find and kill suspected terrorist leaders. Human rights groups decry the practice, citing the collateral deaths of civilians and the lack of due process when American terrorists are the target. The Obama administration says the program is legal and justified in the unconventional war we are fighting against terrorists. Today's question: Should the drone program be continued, expanded, reduced or canceled? We will publish the results Friday. As always, if you care to share your views in more detail, send them to us via this link. Use "Content Feedback" for the category.

The CIA's drone program should be expanded

The CIA's drone program should be continued at present levels

The CIA's drone program should be reduced

The CIA's drone program should be terminated

Neutral/no opinion

None of the above/other

• White House outlines likely cuts ahead of sequester deadline
  The Washington Times (2/10)     

• Sen. Graham looks to stall Hagel, Brennan confirmations
  The Wall Street Journal (2/10)     

• Ex-Sen. Judd Gregg: Sequester row could be a big win for the GOP
  The Hill (2/11)     

• Professor Larry Summers: A 4-point plan for economic renewal
  The Washington Post (2/11)     

• Sen. Rand Paul: Why I support immigration reform
  The Washington Times (2/11)     

Top five news stories selected by SmartBrief on Business & Politics readers in the past week.

• Chart shows the real problem with the U.S. economy (Time.com)

• U.S. Postal Service bypasses Congress, suspends Saturday deliveries (The Washington Post)

• How will the changing demographics of the U.S. affect your business? (SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Finance)

• Photo finish? Not for "skeetgate" (New York magazine)

• Obama takes to the road, leaves Dems at home (Politico (Washington, D.C.))

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Whatever my individual desires were to be free, I was not alone. There were many others who felt the same way." --Rosa Parks, civil rights activist