1. The last paragraph of Perry’s announcement speech:

I believe in America. I believe in Her purpose and Her promise. I believe Her best days have not yet been lived. I believe Her greatest deeds are reserved for the generations to come. With the help and the courage of the American people, we will get our country working again. God bless you and God bless the United States of America.

Referring to the nation as feminine and especially the capitalization strike me as a dog whistle to…somebody. Can anyone clarify?

2. re: #168 ralphieboy

It’s true that Intrade has Perry’s 36% chance at the nomination as better than Romney’s 30%.

But, speaking as an independent voter, I’ve come to dislike Perry much more quickly than it typically takes me to dislike a Republican politician.

To state the obvious: barring black swans, the general election will be about the economy. If it’s okay, a Washington-Lincoln ticket wouldn’t beat Obama. If it’s bad enough, Nixon-Buchanan would win.