The Evening Brief: Aug. 27, 2012

Culled:

•   At Convention, 2 Disruptions: Tropical Storm and Ron Paul (The New York Times): "Mitt Romney’s hopes for a highly disciplined and scripted nominating convention continued to fray Monday morning as a tropical storm barreled toward New Orleans and was expected to strengthen into a hurricane. Mr. Romney’s convention organizers were also warily keeping an eye on some restive delegates, including supporters of Representative Ron Paul of Texas, who were poised to challenge parts of the convention’s rules and platform when it begins Tuesday afternoon. Broadcast and cable networks on Monday began shifting some of their resources toward the hurricane-threatened Gulf Coast after it became clear that the storm’s impact on the Tampa area was minimal, as Republicans continued preparations to open their convention a day late."

•   Paul Ryan seeks comfort of Ron Paul fans (Politico): "Paul Ryan said Monday he expects Ron Paul supporters will come around to the Republican ticket and 'should be very comfortable with us.' Ryan told Fox News that he and Paul 'see eye to eye on a lot of issues,' adding that he doesn’t feel there is any tension with Paul — who held his own rally in Tampa on Sunday and did not endorse Romney — or the Texas congressman’s supporters."

•   Lt. Gov. Dewhurst Tampa-bound, after all (San Antonio Express-News): "Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who hadn’t planned to attend the Republican National Convention in Tampa, is headed there, after all, said spokesman Matt Hirsch. It will be a quick trip. Dewhurst plans to arrive early Monday evening and return Wednesday, Hirsch said. He plans to speak to a Tuesday delegation breakfast. … Dewhurst plans to attend Tuesday’s convention session that includes Cruz’s speech."

•   ‘Quico’ Canseco feels heat on immigration issue (Houston Chronicle): "Texas U.S. Rep. Francisco 'Quico' Canseco, R-23, co-hosted, with former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu, the daily Hispanic press briefing Monday morning at the GOP Convention in Tampa. It was an orchestrated effort to push forward the Republicans’ outreach to Latinos, with smiles, abrazos and lots of references to the American Dream, but it wasn’t long before the questions became pointed."

•   Cornyn says the other ‘R’ word, not just Ryan; jokes about Texans’ prayers helping turn storm west of Florida (The Dallas Morning News): "Sen. John Cornyn has set what may be a record this year for invoking Mitt Romney’s name in front of diehard Texas Republicans. In a pep talk to the state’s delegation to the GOP national convention on Monday, Cornyn mentioned Romney three times in 11 minutes."

New in The Texas Tribune:

•   Michael Williams to Head Texas Education Agency: "Gov. Rick Perry is slated to name Michael Williams the new commissioner of the Texas Education Agency, a source close to the governor said Monday."

•   Texas GOP Delegation Cheers Cruz, Jeers National Proposal: "The Texas delegation kicked off the first day of the Republican National Convention with a standing ovation for its newest rock star, U.S. Senate hopeful Ted Cruz — and a swipe at a proposed rules change on national delegates."

•   At RNC, Cruz Calls for Conservative Leadership: "Texas’ 300-plus delegates and alternates at the Republican National Convention heard from U.S. Senate candidate and former Solicitor General Ted Cruz on Monday."