The Brief: Kaine Decries Trump's Second Amendment Comment

The Big Conversation

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine was in Austin on Tuesday, where he weighed in on comments by GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump that some interpreted as a threat against Hillary Clinton, his Democratic rival for the White House.

Speaking with reporters, Kaine said, "I think Donald Trump revealed again ... a complete temperamental misfit with the character that's required to do the job." Earlier in the day, Trump told supporters that a Clinton presidency would threaten gun rights through her judicial appointments, saying “if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.”

In an appearance before campaign volunteers, Kaine also had a message for Texas Democrats: he and Clinton "are serious about Texas ... Texas Democrats know tough. This is not a territory where it’s always smooth sailing."

Kaine also stopped at a Mexican restaurant on the east side of Austin where he displayed his fluent Spanish skills with both diners and employees. The candidate, the Tribune's Patrick Svitek reported, "made a point of meeting the workers behind the counter — and waving through a window to a cook in the kitchen, who smiled and nodded."

Trib Must Reads

Inside the University of Houston's Political Push to Join The Big 12, by Matthew Watkins — The University of Houston has been burned before when it comes to the politics of college sports realignment. This time, its supporters are lobbying the state's top politicians for some help winning an invitation to the Big 12.

Analysis: Donald Trump’s Trickle-Down Effect on Texas Politics, by Ross Ramsey — Donald Trump and everyone’s reaction to him might turn out to be unimportant in the next couple of election cycles. If the Republican wins the presidency, he’ll be a factor in the 2018 mid-term elections. If he doesn’t, he’ll be a memory.

State Bar Won't Sanction Paxton over Same-Sex Marriage Opinion, by Khorri Atkinson — Attorney General Ken Paxton telling county clerks they do not have to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples is not a sign of "professional misconduct," according to the State Bar of Texas.

Texas Capitol Entrance Open: Keep Calm and Carry On, Y’all, by Madeline Conway — The main entrance to the Texas Capitol is open and bustling again, a few weeks after the state Department of Public Safety temporarily closed it citing security concerns.

Rural Texas County Tries to Derail High-Speed Train, by Madeline Conway — In a rebuke of a private firm’s plans to build a bullet train between Houston and Dallas, local officials in rural southeastern Texas moved Tuesday to restrict high-speed rail development in their corner part of the state.

Baby Girl's Death is First Zika-Related Fatality in Texas, by Edgar Walters — A baby has died in Harris County from complications related to the Zika virus, local public health officials said Tuesday. The death is the first known fatality in Texas linked to the virus.

News From Home

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Elsewhere

(Links below lead to outside websites; content might be behind paywall)

Herman: Can Trump deliver Texas for Democrats?, Austin American-Statesman

PR giant Burson-Marsteller helping Texas design voter ID outreach plan, San Antonio Express-News

Not expanding Medicaid hurts Texas, but will state officials be swayed by studies?, The Dallas Morning News

Attorney: Amarillo jailed disabled residents unable to pay tickets, Amarillo Globe-News

Justice Department orders additional ethics training for Civil Division attorneys, San Antonio Express-News

A $110 billion bill looming for oil service companies, Houston Chronicle

Gulf Oil Spill Fraud Case: Lawyer, 6 Others Begin Defense, The Associated Press

Mexico’s Richest Man Confronts a New Foe: The State That Helped Make Him Rich, The New York Times

Quote to Note

"When she is healthy and she is in the office, she's a great district attorney. If those are inconsistent, then I think she is going to have some decisions to make."

— Former Dallas County Republican Chairman Wade Emmert on District Attorney Susan Hawk, who has sought treatment for mental illness and has worked just 66 days this year 

Today in TribTalk

A smart wireless strategy for Austin, by Kirk Wampler — If entrepreneurs and employees cannot connect, they cannot work, exposing an ironic but not uncommon situation across this tech hub.

Trib Events for the Calendar

•   A Conversation with state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa and state Reps. Terry Canales and Bobby Guerra on Aug. 26 at UT Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg

•   The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23-25 at the University of Texas at Austin

•   TribFeast: A Dinner To Support Nonprofit Journalism on Sept. 24 at the University of Texas at Austin's Etter-Harbin Alumni Center

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Four Price and John Smithee on Oct. 4 at Amarillo College in Amarillo