Rick Perry's 'epic' debate disaster: Is his campaign over?

The Texas governor draws a humiliating blank when listing federal agencies he would scrap — perhaps the most painful gaffe in any modern presidential debate

During Wednesday night's critical GOP debate, Texas Gov. Rick Perry tried for about 45 painful seconds to remember the names of three federal departments he wants to scrap, but came up with o
(Image credit: REUTERS/Mark Blinch)

Former Republican presidential frontrunner Rick Perry was hoping to revive his declining campaign in Wednesday's debate in Michigan. Instead, he suffered an "epic" memory meltdown that only fueled doubts about whether he is really capable of handling the presidency. After vowing to eliminate three cabinet departments, Perry could name only two, fumbling awkwardly for several seconds as his rivals offered suggestions. Debate co-moderator John Harwood pushed Perry to name the third federal department. "The third agency of government I would do away with," Perry said. "Education, the, uh, Commerce, and let's see. I can't. The third one. I can't. Sorry. Oops." (Watch the video below.) Later in the debate, Perry remembered No. 3 — the Energy Department — but the damage had been done. Even some Perry donors instantly told reporters the Texas governor could not recover from such a historic mistake. Perry says the gaffe simply humanized him, and he has no intention to quit. But is it curtains for Perry?

Yes. Perry is finished: No wonder Rick Perry wants to skip future debates, says Nolan Finley at The Detroit News. "He's the worst debater since Dan Quayle." This meltdown was "stunning" to watch and impossible to forget. Perry can't recover from this — it's time for him to just give up.

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