The Midday Brief: Aug. 3, 2011

Your afternoon reading:

• "To a sizable slice of the Republican base, Rick Perry looks like the conservative, charismatic presidential candidate they have been waiting for in the 2012 campaign. To many GOP elites, however, the Texan looks more like a general election flop in the making." — GOP ponders a Rick Perry 2012 candidacy, Politico

• "Whether he wants it to be or not, it will become truly about his probable candidacy for president. Perhaps with that in mind, event organizers this week sent out a list of rules aimed at toning down the politics among attendees." — Politics at 'The Response'? That's against the rules, Austin American-Statesman

• "Gov. Rick Perry is getting closer and closer to running for president, but he’s not done building up his state campaign account. Perry sent a fundraising letter, dated Monday, to small-dollar donors, asking for up to $100." — Perry still raising money for gubernatorial campaign, Postcards

• "U.S. Rep. Ron Paul‘s Iowa campaign announced Wednesday that they will begin a national outreach campaign into the nation’s agricultural sector, entitled the 'Farmers for Ron Paul' coalition." — Ron Paul’s campaign reaches out to Iowa farmers, The Texas Independent

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "Comptroller Susan Combs has switched her position on abortion rights, which she now opposes, she said in an interview with the Texas Tribune this morning." — Combs Switches, Says She Opposes Abortion

• "Higher education leaders in Texas have been pushing for more pathways to college degees for Texas. Today, Gov. Rick Perry, along with higher education committee chairs Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, announced a new one: Western Governors University Texas." — Perry Announces Creation of New Online Texas University

• "Christi Craddick, daughter of former House Speaker Tom Craddick, says she'll run for the Republican nomination for the Texas Railroad Commission next year — for the seat now held by Republican Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones." — Christi Craddick Will Run for Railroad Commissioner