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February 5, 2013 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF Share | Sign up | Archive | Advertise National Pulse  Where does the GOP go from here?    Reuters House Majority Leader Eric Cantor presented a vision for a gentler, kinder Republican Party in a major policy speech today, arguing that the GOP needs to do a better job of explaining how fiscal discipline can improve the lot of regular Americans. Cantor's plan is more of a rebranding exercise than a call for major legislative or policy reforms, but could pave the way for more bipartisanship in the House. "It's having a conversation on different terms," he says. "If we start talking about people, maybe we can all come together." The Washington Times (2/5) , National Journal (2/5)      Kansas could be model for GOP's revival:   The national GOP should look to Kansas and other GOP-led states to showcase the potential of its small-government philosophy, says Gov. Sam Brownback. That "red-state model" could help prove the GOP's claim that low taxes and spending lead to economic renewal, Brownback argues. The Wall Street Journal (2/4)      Paul Ryan sees himself as a power broker not a future president Politico (Washington, D.C.) (2/5)      Agenda Items  Ohio signs up for Medicaid expansion    Reuters Ohio will expand its Medicaid program under the framework established by President Barack Obama's health care reforms, Gov. John Kasich has announced. That's potentially a big deal: Other Republican governors have also signed up, but Kasich is a tea-party favorite who has spent much of his career arguing for smaller government. Kasich said he is not a fan of the new law, but this move "makes great sense for Ohio." The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) (2/5) , The Week (2/5)      McCain says GOP shouldn't filibuster Hagel nomination The Hill/DEFCON Hill blog (2/5)      Big Labor throws its weight behind immigration reform effort The Wall Street Journal (2/4)      White House calls on lawmakers to streamline voting process The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (2/4)      Data Points  Chart shows the real problem with the U.S. economy A single chart shows the real problem with modern America, writes Michael Scherer. While GDP and productivity have skyrocketed since 1992, household income plateaued in 2000 and hasn't risen since -- a sign that despite corporate gains, "frustration and stagnation" is the economic reality for many American workers. "The most important chart in American politics can no longer be ignored," Scherer argues. Time.com/Swampland blog (2/4)      The Conversation  Columnist Philip Klein: Kasich's conservative flip-flop The Examiner (Washington, D.C.) (2/5)      BCG adviser Michele Flournoy: Think big to fix defense spending The Wall Street Journal (2/4)      Columnist Nancy Cook: It's time to put an end to crisis economics National Journal (2/5)      Analyst Stuart Rothenberg: Can Dems keep control of the Senate in 2014? Roll Call (free content) (2/4)      Daily Chuckle  Republicans get a taste for frijoles Republicans are jumping on the immigration "mariachi bandwagon," says Stephen Colbert -- and why not? With their social conservatism, patriotism and love of God, "Hispanics and Republicans go together like beans and very, very white rice," Colbert argues. Comedy Central (2/4)      SmartQuote  The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society. The central liberal truth is that politics can change a culture and save it from itself." --Daniel Patrick Moynihan, former U.S. senator        SmartBrief delivers need-to-know news in over 100 targeted email newsletters to over 3 million readers. All our industry briefings are FREE and open to everyone—sign up today! Accounting Advertising Automotive Aviation & Aerospace Biotechnology Business Chemicals Construction & Real Estate Consumer Packaged Goods Distribution Education Energy Finance Food Service Health Care Insurance Legal Manufacturing Media & Entertainment Nonprofit Retail Technology Telecommunications Travel & Hospitality   Subscriber Tools SIGNUP   SEND FEEDBACK   E-MAIL THIS BRIEF Today's Brief - Permalink  | Print friendly format  | Web version  | Privacy policy Advertise Sr. National Account Director:   Jim Pataki 212-450-1682   SmartBrief Community: Most Clicked Facebook LinkedIn Get this RSS Feed Search Archive About Download a SmartBrief Mobile app today     Recent SmartBrief on Business & Politics Issues: Monday, February 04, 2013 Friday, February 01, 2013 Thursday, January 31, 2013 Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Tuesday, January 29, 2013     Lead Editor: Jim Berard     Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004     © 1999-2013 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information