The Midday Brief: Jan. 3, 2012

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday fired up his 'Texas strike force,' a politically connected band of lobbyists, lawmakers and volunteers who are fanning across Iowa to talk up the Texas governor when Iowans begin voting Tuesday night. But an air of uncertainty is hanging over Perry's presidential campaign ahead of the Iowa caucuses." — Perry Rallies Troops Ahead of Caucus 

• "In a closing-argument ad replete with dramatic music, quick cuts of fresh-faced Iowans and a couple of clear nods to religion, Gov. Rick Perry asks caucus goers to answer America's call." — New Perry Ad: "Today is Your Calling, Iowa"

• "Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's U.S. Senate campaign has posted a new online ad promoting comments by Gov. Rick Perry that signal support for his bid to succeed Kay Bailey Hutchison but stop short of a full-throated endorsement." — In New Online Ad, Dewhurst Touts Perry Praise

• "The bellwether conservative group Club for Growth, which endorsed former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz last summer in his bid to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, has bought advertising time on cable systems across Texas to attack Cruz's chief opponent in the GOP primary, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst." — Club for Growth Hits Dewhurst as "Moderate"

• "The State Bar of Texas has dismissed a grievance filed against Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley in the  case of Michael Morton, whose wrongful conviction for murder was reversed last year." — State Bar Dismisses Bradley Misconduct Grievance

Your afternoon reading:

• "Hours before Iowa caucuses, the Ron Paul campaign has launched its sharpest anti-Romney attack ad yet, a one-minute radio spot calling the former Massachusetts governor a 'liberal' who has supported government bailouts, healthcare mandates and big government." — Last-day Ron Paul ad is his sharpest anti-Romney attack yet, CNN

• "The candidate on the ballot Tuesday night is Ron Paul, but the candidate more and more people here are talking about now is his son, Rand Paul. A tea party hero from the moment he announced his winning 2010 Kentucky Senate campaign, the younger Paul’s back on the trail with his father in his latest deployment by his father’s campaign. That’s only increased the sense that he’s the likely heir to his father’s movement — and a natural to carry the torch into the 2016 presidential race." — Ron Paul’s closing argument is son’s opening, Politico

• "'Does anyone know the name Kelly Clarkson?' asked Ron Paul, the libertarian Texas congressman whose appeal will be tested Tuesday night as Iowans become the first to make their preferences known in the 2012 presidential contest." — Ron Paul cites Kelly Clarkson in bid for Iowa caucus vote, Los Angeles Times