Hardball Briefing for Wednesday, December 15

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Coming up on Hardball

Tonight on Hardball—Remember the hot debate surrounding the tax bill? The Senate passed it today, and the latest NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll shows that Americans approve of the bill, too. Next stop: the House. We'll talk about it with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA). Plus—For all the talk of Pres. Obama losing his base, our new poll shows that Americans have positive feelings toward the President. NBC News Chief White House Correspondent and Political Director Chuck Todd will help us break down the numbers.

Next up—Education Nation. American students trail those in Asia and Europe in standardized test scores. We'll talk with Michelle Rhee, Former D.C. Schools Chancellor and Founder and CEO of "Students First,�? about the long road ahead and how to get back on track.

Then—The Crying Game. Incoming House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) isn't afraid to shed a tear or two in public, and neither is the Republican leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell. So what does it mean when politicians cry—and does everyone play by the same rules? And on tonight's Sideshow: Republicans went to the mat over banning earmarks—but the new spending bill is loaded with pork for the party's pet projects! Don't miss this story.

Erin Delmore wrote the "Hardball Briefing" from Washington, D.C.

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