The Note's Must-Reads for Tuesday, January 8, 2012 INAUGURATION ABC News" Mathew Lartonda: "Oops: Ticketmaster Mixup Sells Out Obama Inaugural Ball Early" After an inadvertent early sale of tickets to events surrounding President Obama's second inauguration, some of the celebration festivities sold out even before they were supposed to go on sale. BRENNAN The Wall Street Journal's Siobhan Gorman: "A Trusted Adviser on Terror" In choosing Brennan to be the next CIA director, Obama is turning to a trusted deputy and architect of the administration's war against radical adversaries. In choosing John Brennan to be the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency, President Barack Obama is turning to a trusted deputy and architect of the administration's unconventional, covert war against radical adversaries. CHUCK HAGEL The Hills" Jeremy Herb: "Obama nominates Hagel for Pentagon, picking fight with GOP" President Obama on Monday nominated former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) to be the nation's next Defense secretary despite warnings of a tough confirmation fight from some Senate Republicans. "Chuck Hagel is the leader that our troops deserve," Obama said from the White House. He is an American patriot. The Washington Times" Shaun Waterman: "Bipartisan blows stand between Brennan and post at helm of CIA" Republicans are suspicious of John O. Brennan's refusal to link the words "Islamic" and "terrorism" in the same breath as President Obama's chief counterterrorism adviser. Democrats complain that he supported torture against suspected terrorists when he served in the CIA during the George w. Bush administration. The Boston Globe's Bryan Bender: "In Chuck Hagel and John Kerry, a wariness of war" President Obama's nomination of Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense, coupled with his pick of Senator John F. Kerry for secretary of state, puts two Vietnam veterans known for their deeply cautious approach to the use of military force at the helm of American defense and foreign policy, providing a window into a world view that would be a centerpiece of the next four years. The Washington Post's Tom Hamburger and Peter Wallsten: "Chuck Hagel nomination creates rare partisan fight over Pentagon post" The nomination of former senator Chuck Hagel to lead the Pentagon has set in motion a highly unusual campaign-style brawl over a Cabinet post long considered above politics. Supporters and opponents are raising money and building political organizations in anticipation of a grueling and contentious Senate confirmation process. HILLARY CLINTON The Los Angeles Times" Morgan Little: "Clinton returns to work, plans to testify on Benghazi attack" Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton returned to work Monday, following a lengthy absence caused by a series of health-related concerns. Clinton will be leaving her post shortly, with Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) expected to take her place. DEBT-CEILING The New York Daily News" Kristen A. Lee: "Trillion-dollar coin could let President Obama bypass debt-ceiling impasse" Could another standoff over the nation's debt ceiling be avoided with some loose change? Advocates for a new trillion dollar platinum coin don't find that idea so outlandish. New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler is the most prominent politician arguing that minting a trillion dollar coin to pay some of the nation's debt is a better option than another fight over raising the U.S. debt ceiling that could result in default. JOHN BRENNAN Politico's Josh Gerstein: "Brennan pick revives leaks dispute" The bitter election-year battle over alleged White House leaks of national security secrets is heating up again - this time fueled by President Barack Obama's pick for CIA director. Obama's nomination of counterterrorism adviser John Brennan to lead the CIA is reviving long-simmering claims that the president's aides leaked classified information to bolster his reelection chances. OTHER / A.I.G. The New York Times" Ben Protess and Michael J. De La Merced: "Rescued by a Bailout, A.I.G. May Sue Its Savior" Fresh from paying back a $182 billion bailout, the American International Group has been running a nationwide advertising campaign with the tagline "Thank you America." Behind the scenes, the restored insurance company is weighing whether to tell the government agencies that rescued it during the financial crisis: thanks, but you cheated our shareholders.