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January 9, 2013 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF Share | Sign up | Archive | Advertise National Pulse  Welcome to Fight Club   Obama, Hagel/Reuters President Barack Obama has sharply shifted his leadership style as he prepares for his second term, and he appears willing and even eager to pick bruising, bare-knuckle fights with Republicans, observers say. Buoyed by positive approval ratings, Obama hopes his adversarial approach will allow him to swiftly push through key Cabinet appointments and take action on key policy issues. "He's got his sea legs now, [and he is] sending a strong message that he has the support of the American people behind him, and he's basically saying, 'Deal with it,' " says political scientist Martin Sweet. Politico (Washington, D.C.) (1/9) , The Hill (1/9)      Agenda Items  The tricky legacy of Richard Nixon    Nixon/Reuters Richard Nixon would have turned 100 today, prompting soul-searching over the flawed former president's political legacy. Nixon's courage and self-belief made him a truly historic president, even if his self-wrought downfall was nothing short of operatic, pundits say -- and his intelligent pragmatism might offer a model for GOP leaders hoping to resolve their party's current identity crisis. "Nixon also did his best to court conservatives, but his instinct was always to anchor himself in the rhetorical center," notes historian Timothy Stanley. The Atlantic online (1/9) , FoxNews.com (1/9) , CNN (1/9)      Wal-Mart reverses, agrees to participate in gun summit CNNMoney (1/9)      Scrapping corporate tax-deferral would raise $114B, says CBO National Journal (1/9)      Va. eyes ending gas tax, adding sales tax for road and rail projects The Washington Post (1/8)      Survey: Congress is now less popular than cockroaches, root canals Time.com (1/8)      Data Points  Breathing easier: Clean Air Act gets results    Face the Facts USA The federal government credits the Clean Air Act with significant decreases in air pollutants -- and measurable health benefits for Americans. The government credits the Clean Air Act with bringing atmospheric lead levels down 83%; sulfur dioxide down 75%; and carbon monoxide down 73%. Face the Facts USA (1/8)      The Conversation  Columnist Thomas Friedman: It's time to talk about a carbon tax The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (1/8)      Professor Steven Hayward: Turn the EPA into a bipartisan commission The Wall Street Journal (1/8)      Editorial: Ill. legislature chickens out on pension reform Chicago Tribune (tiered subscription model) (1/9)      Daily Chuckle  AIG to America: Thanks and see you in court    Reuters At the same time insurance giant American International Group is running TV ads thanking America for the 2008 bailout, the company is pondering a lawsuit against the government, claiming the Feds' terms were too harsh. As Americans collectively slap their foreheads and ask, "What are they thinking?" columnist Andy Borowitz imagines the company's position as delivered in a letter to the taxpayers. The New Yorker (free content)/The Borowitz Report blog (1/8)      SmartQuote  Every society, all government and every kind of civil compact therefore, is or ought to be, calculated for the general good and safety of the community." --George Mason, American statesman        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: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 Monday, January 07, 2013 Friday, January 04, 2013 Thursday, January 03, 2013 Wednesday, January 02, 2013     Lead Editor: Jim Berard     Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004     © 1999-2013 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information