The Midday Brief: Aug. 17, 2010

Your afternoon reading:

"The election campaign season doesn’t usually begin until after Labor Day, but this year’s ongoing smackdown between Governor Rick Perry and Democratic challenger Bill White has been a summer-long event. Until now, with one exception, you have been spared the barrage of TV commercials that will soon relentlessly intrude themselves into your home on an hourly basis." — Anti-Perry ads may have more impact down ballot, News 8 Austin

"Rick Perry has worked to tie Democrat Bill White to Barack Obama. But in the case of the mosque near Ground Zero, it's Perry and Obama whose comments have more in common. Both cite local sensitivies, religious freedom and local control. The difference? The president won't discuss the "wisdom" of the decision. Perry will, and says he'd prefer the mosque be built elsewhere." — Obama, Perry and the mosque near Ground Zero, Trail Blazers

"Congressman Chet Edwards, D-Waco, is the latest Democratic member of Congress to say they oppose the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero in New York." — Democrats going different ways on Ground Zero mosque, PoliTex

"IBM’s failure to fix a slew of problems with Texas’ $863 million data center consolidation project prompted state officials on Tuesday to begin the search for new companies to do the work." — Texas to re-bid IBM data center contract, Postcards

New in The Texas Tribune:

"Rio Grande Valley officials are fighting to hold a special election in November to fill a seat on the Hidalgo County Commissioners' Court — even though the secretary of state and a district judge say they have no legal authority to do so." — Hidalgo County Presses Ahead With Disputed Election

"The day that universities have been waiting for — some eagerly, others with a healthy dose of dread — is finally here. The 2011 edition of U.S. News & World Report's influential (and often controversial) college rankings have finally been released." — How Did Texas Fare in U.S. News College Rankings?

"The Department of Information Resources appears to be giving up on IBM — once and for all." — DIR Rebidding State Contract With IBM