The Midday Brief: Feb. 2, 2012

Your afternoon reading:

• "Republican Senate hopeful Craig James appears to be taking a much softer approach to the issue of gay marriage — in tone, at least — than most of his rivals in the GOP primary. In an interview with radio show host Scott Braddock on Houston radio station News 92 FM, James was asked Thursday to react to news that Washington state appears headed toward rapid approval of legislation that would legalize gay marriage. If so, it would join six other states and the District of Columbia in recognizing same-sex nuptials. 'In this country, everyone has the ability to pick and choose exactly what they do,' James said in his opening response. 'I don't judge people. That's their ability.'" — Craig James on gay marriage: libertarian, sort of?, The Dallas Morning News

• "Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, who has spent the last few days campaigning in Nevada, sat down with Jon Ralston of 'Face to Face with Jon Ralston' Wednesday and defended former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s recent gaffe about the poor. 'There is very little I agree with him on economic policy, but I don’t agree that Mitt Romney doesn’t care about the poor,' Mr. Paul posited." — Ron Paul: Mitt Romney cares about the poor, The State Column

• "A quarter of the Republican Party membership in Clark County — which includes Las Vegas — are now Paul backers, estimates Tim Williams, the county party’s political director. Four of Nevada’s 17 county Republican chairmen are also supporters, according to Mr. Bunce. And Robert List, the state’s Republican national committeeman and a former governor, says four or five members of the state party’s 12-member executive board are backing Mr. Paul." — Among These Republicans, Paul Supporters Go From Outsiders to Vanguard, The New York Times
  

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "Susan G. Komen for the Cure CEO and founder Nancy G. Brinker is responding to the barrage of criticism over the organization's decision to stop granting breast cancer screening funds to certain clinics, while Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards is asking Komen to reconsider their partnership." — Komen, Planned Parenthood CEOs Speak Out in Interviews

• "A judge's expected ruling forcing the state to find room to treat mentally ill inmates is sending officials in search of space at already-full mental hospitals." — State Seeking Room for Mentally Ill Inmates

• "The new president of the University of Houston-Victoria on whether the institution will remain in the UH System, its plans to play a major role in the state's higher education landscape and its response to Texas' workforce needs." — Philip Castille: The TT Interview