Rick Perry’s Debate Lapse: ‘Oops’ – Can’t Remember Department of Energy
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Rick Perry delivered his biggest fumble of the campaign to date when he failed to name the third agency he would eliminate if he were to become president during a Republican presidential debate in Rochester, Mich.
“It’s three agencies of government when I get there that are gone – Commerce, Education and the um, what’s the third one there? Let’s see. Oh five – Commerce, Education and the um, um,” Perry said.
Mitt Romney, standing two podiums to Perry’s right, offered the Environmental Protection Agency as a suggestion.
“EPA, there you go,” Perry said.
But then, the Texas governor quickly retracted his statement, saying the EPA doesn’t need to be eliminated but simply rebuilt.
Again, he tried to name the third mystery agency.
“But you can’t name the third one?” CNBC moderator John Harwood asked.
“The third agency of government I would do away with - the education, the uh, the commerce and let’s see. I can’t the third one. I can’t. Sorry Oops.”
The third agency Perry couldn’t think of was the Department of Energy, which he rails against on the stump nearly every day.
Perry finally remembered the third agency 15 minutes later after referring to his notes, saying “By the way, it was the Department of Energy I was talking about.”
Just minutes after the conclusion of the debate, Perry took to the spin room and told reporters he was embarrassed by his gaffe.
“Speaking of boots, I’m glad I had my boots on tonight because I sure stepped in it out there,” Perry joked. “I stepped in it. Man, yeah it was embarrassing. Of course it was.
“From time to time, you may forget about an agency that you are gonna zero out,” he said. “Everybody tomorrow will understand the Energy Department is one of those that needs to be done away with.”
Advisers to Perry characterized his slip up as a “human moment,” saying it was a “stumble of style not of substance.”
Rep. Michele Bachmann expressed sympathy for the Texas governor has he struggled to remember the name of the agency.
“It was a tough moment,” she said on CNBC after the debate. “All of us recognize it was something none of us would want to go through. I felt bad for him.”
Eric Fehrnstrom, asenior advisor to Mitt Romney said, “There’s nothing I could say that could darken the night Rick Perry has had.”
Sources told ABC News Romney’s green room sat in “quiet amazement” as the governor failed to answer the question.
Perry has received criticism throughout this campaign cycle for his poor debate skills, but his brain freeze Wednesday night may have been the most severe of his campaign stumbles, especially as the Texas governor has centered his job creation plan on unleashing the power of the energy industry.
Perry has previously said he believes there are too many debates this primary season, but on Wednesday night he said he would not back down from the upcoming debates.
“Absolutely not, I’ll be in South Carolina on Saturday and, hopefully, I’ll remember the Energy Department.”
Perry will continue engaging in damage control of the incident Thursday morning when he plans to appear on the major morning shows.
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I guess Rick Perry also forgot he wasn’t going to do any more debates.
Posted by: rippedpockets | November 9, 2011, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
Somehow I doubt if getting rid of the Department of Energy is his idea or he would have remembered it.
I wonder if he know what the Department of Energy actually does?
Posted by: Librarian53 | November 9, 2011, 9:57 pm 9:57 pm
His plan was just copying off of Ron Paul and that’s why he can’t remember it.
Posted by: Jim | November 9, 2011, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm
I feel embarrassed for him.
Posted by: lexingtonlady | November 9, 2011, 10:55 pm 10:55 pm
Wow, I didn’t think it was possible for Texas to give us a politician dumber than George W., but here we have Rick Perry!! Must be something in the water…?!
Posted by: DebThePlumber | November 9, 2011, 10:55 pm 10:55 pm
I actually feel bad for Rick Perry. How did he get to be Govenor of Texas? Good ol’boy? We need the smartest and most capable person we can get to be the President. Cain’s baggage just got way too heavy. Ron Paul is capable but too far right. Don’t think the contry is ready for even a very capable female President. Romney is smart and capable which his real world business experience shows. Looks like to me that Romney is the best choice.
Posted by: Earl | November 9, 2011, 11:14 pm 11:14 pm
Why are Perry and Bachmann still hanging around? It’s going to be Romney so the other guys can stop wasting our time. (As a dyed-in-the-wool liberal, I’d prefer Cain, but the GOP has sabotaged him. Too bad.)
Posted by: Cassandra | November 9, 2011, 11:18 pm 11:18 pm
The Bush lovers should really appreciate this guy. Not only is he all hat and no cattle, there’s nothing inside the hat!
Posted by: Scotty | November 9, 2011, 11:18 pm 11:18 pm
Watching the GOP debate tonight is like going to the comedy club. I have never seen such an array of buffoons before. They want to do away with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, public education and student loans, the Department of Energy, the EPA, increase taxes on the middle class, etc. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
No wonder the Democrats won big in yesterday’s election. Obama has a lock on 2012. The CNBC moderators were laughing at the fools during the debate.
Posted by: usa8888 | November 9, 2011, 11:19 pm 11:19 pm
The man is a moron.
Posted by: norasalias | November 9, 2011, 11:21 pm 11:21 pm
can he be any more Bush like? GOP , lies & fabrications don’t resonate too good in front of a crowd. It’s easier for him to govern that way in Texas, Not a very smart wit when compared to the next guy. But yeah it’s Bush all over again. Wow, 1st & foremost a president must resonate good ideas. GOP is full of hot air & it shows. How many years of sub par thinking? too many. evidently their manifesto does not resonate with God. You know tax cuts for the wealthy & pro defense. Is that what the bible teaches LOL!!!
Posted by: aplumb | November 9, 2011, 11:40 pm 11:40 pm
what a frickin bozo
Posted by: Chuck | November 9, 2011, 11:41 pm 11:41 pm
Man must be kin to George W. Bush?
Posted by: USA #1 | November 9, 2011, 11:53 pm 11:53 pm
It’s hard to stick out as the biggest clown while a circus show is going on but Rick Perry managed to do it again. Pitiful.
Posted by: Larry | November 9, 2011, 11:54 pm 11:54 pm
The longer this Republican Tea Bagging Dog and Pony Show goes on the bigger laughing stock they make of themselves. If only we had Sarah Palin and Donald Trump in the mix it truly would ba a classic. A Classic what I don’t know but a Classic just the same. If these eight Fruit of the Loom rejects is the best that the Tea Bagger Society can come up with, they should disband the party and regroup in the next century !
Posted by: Houston | November 10, 2011, 12:32 am 12:32 am
“stumble of style not of substance”
What substance? Perry is a profoundly shallow person. (Not that any of the other Republican candidates are much better.)
Posted by: ianam | November 10, 2011, 12:59 am 12:59 am
Kinda telling that the most prominent reporter’s mic at the start of the clip was labeled “Kids Press Corp.”
Sums up the whole GOP thing.
Posted by: jimbob | November 10, 2011, 1:19 am 1:19 am
When it comes to love, age is nothing. So no matter how big the age difference. If you really love her, and also she has the same the feeling, everything goes easy. I met my older guy who is 25 years older than me via my name and we enjoy this big age gap relationship. The big age gap love is really an extremely wonderful different romance.You may have a try. Good luck!
Posted by: Agemingle.com | November 10, 2011, 1:36 am 1:36 am
omg… so he forgot 1 part of 1 of hes talking points, big deal. Rick Perry seems like a good, genuine person. for those of you that say he isn’t smart, well its easy to judge someone that is in the spotlight and your in the shadows with no responsibility. but the truth is stupid people don’t get elected as Governor. I would definitely vote for him as President. altho I would prefer to see Ron Paul get the nomination.
Posted by: Joel | November 10, 2011, 2:13 am 2:13 am
Rick Perry is an embarrassment to Texas. He should bow out of the race, and return to Texas in disgrace…..and then resign as Governor. Yep, just a dream for all of us who have to put up with this idiot. Maybe those of you in other states don’t know this, but Perry has Texas up for sale. If you want to do business with Texas, just contribute a 100,000 to Perry. If you want to start a “hightech company” in texas, you can get millions of government grants, but only if you have given money to Perry’s campaingn. You really don’t have to do much, maybe create some minimum wage jobs, but there is no real oversite of what you do with the money…as long as you contribute money to Perry. Sad, but true.
Posted by: barrymtn | November 10, 2011, 2:55 am 2:55 am
@ Barrymtn, you hit the nail on the head, your description of Perry is so true. Perry is an embarrassment to Texas and really has no business running for president. He is bought and paid for.
Posted by: Beverly Swanson | November 10, 2011, 6:57 am 6:57 am
Duhhhhhh. If you cannot formulate your ideas in your own mind before stepping out onto to a debate forum, then just stay home. He may have gone to college but, he is not educated.
Posted by: Indymind | November 10, 2011, 6:59 am 6:59 am
There’s your next president folks! Think I’m kidding? I have two examples to back up my claim, Bush and Obama.
For whatever reason voters elect people that make gaffs.
Posted by: stew | November 10, 2011, 7:29 am 7:29 am
So the guy needs a teleprompter too and for all you libs and Obamabots out there…I’m no Perry fan, but when it comes to experience in governing and job growth, I’ll take a Rick Perry over a failed community organizer anyday of the week. YES! ANYONE BUT BHO!
Posted by: Gunner_1959 | November 10, 2011, 7:48 am 7:48 am
Gaff? Ha! Not until he says he needs billions for “shovel ready jobs” or that he needs nearly a trillion dollars to keep unemployment under 8%. Those are serious screw ups and they don’t even begin to scratch the surface of Mr. 57 states.
Posted by: ang | November 10, 2011, 7:59 am 7:59 am
I am no fan of Obama but these GOP guys (with an exception of Ron Paul and Gingrich) will be fried like French Fries in oil by Obama in final debates. Neither Ron Paul nor Newt Gingrich are anywhere near to win the nomination of GOP. Goodluck to GOP in winning 2012 elections. If Obama is really your enemy, then you need to know the strength of enemy – stupids.
Posted by: presr | November 10, 2011, 8:06 am 8:06 am
RON PAUL…..it is becoming clearer every day….THE BIG MONEY AND THE MEDIA WHICH WANTS YOU TO CONTINUE PAYING FOR BIG WARS AND WASTEFUL SPENDING BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE WANTS PERRY AND BACHMAN…….BUT BELIEVE ME….YOU DONT!!! RON PAUL is becoming the only play out there if you look carefully…….but you have to pass the word around….look THE MEDIA WANTS WAR WITH IRAN AND THAT’S MOSTLY BECAUSE ISRAEL DOESNT WANT THE US TO LEAVE IRAQ…AND THATS THE TRUTH THAT THE MEDIA WONT TELL YOU…..BUT LOOK HOW MUCH THIS COSTS YOU EVEN AT A MENTION….OIL 96 DOLLARS A BARREL GOING UP TO 100 AND POSSIBLY TO 200 DOLLARS A BARREL…..You have only one real alternative…..THATS RON PAUL!!!! THERE JUST ISNT ANYONE ELSE IF YOU WANT TO RECOVER….Iran can easily be taken care of with a LITTLE STICK AND CARROT see anyone talking that? NO THEY WANT MONEY SPENT ON WARS THAT DONT DO ANYTHING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SEE? RON PAUL
Posted by: Mr. Ed Bean | November 10, 2011, 8:08 am 8:08 am
MR ED BEAN
Ron Paul lives in the 18th century where the world was a larger less dangerous place. Isolationism in todays world is national suicide. We have to stay engaged.
Posted by: tmferretti | November 10, 2011, 8:42 am 8:42 am
Rick Perry reminds me so much of George Dubya it’s frightening. We do not need another one of those in the White House. Go back to Texas and stay there, you buffoon!
Posted by: Whatthewhat | November 10, 2011, 9:32 am 9:32 am
I concure; Obama is a great debater, but we need a leader. A leader who has the long term success of our nation at heart, is willing to face the hard questions and not simply spout an idealistic perspective (taxing Christmas Trees – what a crock). I get so tired of this: well if your successful you owe more mentality. Many of us are successful because we sacrificed early on and now were expected to up our support those who have been getting assistance all along because they “deserve” it, because they didn’t have the fortitude to push through and get to higher ground. I think not!
Posted by: Terry | November 10, 2011, 11:14 am 11:14 am
@ Berrymtn & Beverly: Keep talking about Perry, but I see what your Illinois boy did… increased the national debt, defrayed the current national debt over the next 10 generations to come while he creates government agencies and taxes the public to promote the Christmas Tree industry. What the…? He is so out of touch with the typical taxpayer it is unconscionable. And be careful if you seek to besmirch Texas, we might Secede and leave you without any natural gas or oil to warm your foreclosed homes. And speeking of places or origin…
Posted by: Terry | November 10, 2011, 11:28 am 11:28 am
I wish the moderator would have asked Perry why he is eliminating 3 agencies. I’ll be he has no idea other than, “Government is too big.” The Dixie Chicks said it about Bush and I say it about Perry: I’m embarrassed to be a Texan.
Posted by: BayouBilly | November 10, 2011, 11:32 am 11:32 am
We don’t need another George W. Bush—PLEASE!
Posted by: indigotime | November 10, 2011, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
bye, bye, Gov. You’re done.
Posted by: Joe | November 10, 2011, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
George Bush Lite!
OMG! LOL!
Posted by: Wanugee | November 10, 2011, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
It is sad when a person believes that it does not mean anything that he messed up during a debate amongst his peers. What if he becomes president and this was an important meeting with foreign delegates whom would probably see a mistake like that as a weakness. America needs strong leaders not drunks and absent minded wannabes. In addition, why are all the programs these candidates are trying to abolish are the helpful ones. I can understand a revamp to make them more productive but abolishing only hurts the middle class and below and allows big business to wreak more havoc on our environment without fear of punishment.
Posted by: Adair | November 10, 2011, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
Haha, wow this guy is such a joke.
Posted by: Daniel | November 10, 2011, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
No where near as stupid as Owebama’s “I’ve been in 57 states” flub-a-dub-dub!
Posted by: Wayne | November 10, 2011, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
The Bush Bashers exemplified by many of these comments have no where near the character and intellect of the man, as he continues to prove. There are no apparent intellects in the national Democrat spotlight, and few with character.
Posted by: Jaime | November 10, 2011, 11:41 pm 11:41 pm
There is not one of you who has not had a momentary lapse of memory when under pressure. Those of you who are putting him down for a human mistake just proves how powerful of a candidate Rick Perry is. Perry is going to be our next President, and all you bleeding heart liberals are raising a fuss over nothing. Cry all you want, but Perry is going to be elected in 2012. Tell your Negro to pack his bags. Obama has failed.
Posted by: Charles | November 11, 2011, 1:45 am 1:45 am
Hey Charles, I feel certain that your comment about Obama is totally based on his performance in office and has nothing to do with racism. LOL.
Posted by: Bayoubilly | November 11, 2011, 11:03 am 11:03 am
I believe this only shows that the man is human, and doesn’t insist on relying on teleprompters as the man currently in the WHite House does.
Posted by: Di | November 11, 2011, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
How did he become governor of Texas in the first place? Simple..Southern state, home to many Evangelical fruitcakes . They just elect their number one fruitcake.
Posted by: MikeLu | November 11, 2011, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
Well, sounded like a classic” brain fart “we are all guilty of, at some point in our lives. The Jim Cramer is a dead ringer for Vladimir Lenin. His name should be Vlad Cramer.
Posted by: Jack Flash | November 11, 2011, 11:31 pm 11:31 pm
Does anyone in the audience realize that these departments are vital for our society? The National Department of Education’s main function is to distribute Stafford Student loans, which almost everyone needs these days to go to college. The EPA puts restrictions to protect YOU from getting things like CANCER from tainted water supplies.
Do Republicans realize how vital these departments are?
Posted by: Patrick Wells | November 12, 2011, 5:58 am 5:58 am
Perry is like a professional clown who is trying to actually ac and say things that are stupid. Too bad the man was blessed with decent looks but possesses a brain less capable than that of a Parrot.
Posted by: Ralph Law | November 29, 2011, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm