The Brief: Sept. 28, 2010

THE BIG CONVERSATION:

Here with your morning jolt: National Democrats are jumping into the governor's race. Here. In Texas.

The Washington Post reports that in a surprise move, the Democratic Governors Association is descending on Texas with plans to air an attack ad against Gov. Rick Perry in light of recent polling that has shown the governor with a solid but not insurmountable lead over Democrat Bill White. 

Despite the toxic national environment for Democrats, the race has been called the their best shot at taking back the Governor's Mansion in 20 years.

The ad, posted here, hits Perry for backing a cervical cancer vaccine mandate in 2007 and the Trans-Texas Corridor, two issues on which U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison tried to engage the governor in their primary fight earlier this year before Perry trounced her.

A recent newspaper poll showed Perry leading in Dallas, where the association hopes the ad will cut into Perry's lead.

The Post reports that the group will spend $650,000 to $700,000 a week on the TV spot, adding to the $2 million it's already contributed to White.

CULLED:

• Meanwhile, The Dallas Morning News reports that Gov. Rick Perry, "apparently emboldened by signs that he's cruising to another re-election in Texas," has his sights set not on commander in chief (which he admits having considered), but rather something more along the lines of yell leader in chief.
  

• After the debate debate, which saw Perry declining to participate unless Bill White released certain tax returns, invitations for the Oct. 19 event have now been extended to all four gubernatorial candidates, including Libertarian Kathie Glass and Green Party nominee Deb Shafto.

• Cameron Todd Willingham, executed in 2004 for murdering his three children by arson in 1991, will get another day in court next week, an Austin district judge announced Monday. 

• The Morning News has a look at the 30th Congressional District, where Sarah Palin-approved Stephen Broden is taking on longtime Democratic incumbent Eddie Bernice Johnson, now embroiled in a nepotism scandal. In CD-30, the Morning News notes, Broden, a Republican with Tea Party leanings, faces the task of trying to woo one of the most Democratic districts in the nation.

"When this is over, it will be clear that I broke no rules." — U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson to the Morning News' editorial board on the recent scholarship flap

MUST-READ:

• Violence is killing mayors in Mexico, Houston Chronicle
• Tea Party group divides in two in Abilene, Abilene Reporter-News
• Drug shortage delays some executions, but not in Texas, Houston Chronicle
• Americans don't want farm work, The Associated Press
• Many Choosing Jail Time Over Probation, The Texas Tribune

Countdown to the start of early voting: 20 days. Last day to register to vote: Oct. 4