Rick Perry 'Oops' Moment: Newt Gingrich Jokes About GOP Candidate

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, at a town hall meeting at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport Hotel on Thursday, joked about Texas Gov. Rick Perry's gaff.

Perry had a painful 55 seconds -- which seemed like forever -- Wednesday night during CNBC's Republican presidential debate. "It's three government agencies when I get there that are gone: Commerce, Education and the um, what's the third one there. Let's see," he said. Finally, after turning to his rivals and the moderator, he said, "I would do away with the education, the um, Commerce, and let's see. I can't think of the third one. I can't. Sorry. Oops."

Answering a question about cabinet-level reform on Thursday, Gingrich said, "I have several departments in mind." He added, "I've forgotten some of them," according to Slate's Dave Weigel. "I think the place to start is the Department of Energy," he said, referring to the cabinet agency Perry forgot when he was discussing the three agencies of government he would do away with.

Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said on Wednesday night, "There's nothing I could say that could darken the night Rick Perry had." Rep. Michele Bachmann said on Wednesday, "All of us felt really bad for him [Perry] tonight."

A new Super PAC also was launched today supporting Gingrich called Solutions 2012; it mimics the name of his now-shuttered PAC, American Solutions. A web video launched by the group attacks the other candidates for attacking each other -- Bachmann attacking Cain, Perry attacking Romney and Romney attacking Perry.

During the town hall, Gingrich reportedly compared the fact that the iPhone is updated once per year to the slowness of developing new weapons systems as proof of government inefficiency.

Comments

[Querent]

06:18 AM on 11/12/2011

So, the Governor of the Oil State wants to abolish the Department of Energy, but he can't remember that in a debate. So just what IS important enough for him to remember?

[paid trawler]

10:52 AM on 11/11/2011

newticle thinks that we've forgotten that he was run out of town by his own party. we HAVE NOT!

[WryAwry]

10:18 PM on 11/10/2011

When I'm finally elected King of the Universe, the first thing I'll eliminate is the Department of Redundancy Department first.

[mydoghasfleas]

02:55 PM on 11/10/2011

Rep. Michele Bachmann said on Wednesday, "All of us felt really bad for him [Perry] tonight."

I'm shocked, shocked to hear Michele can feel compassion for anyone.

[diamonds61]

02:26 PM on 11/10/2011

When Bill White ran against Rick Perry for governor, Perry said no to any debate. Now we know why, White would have won hands down and Perry would have been "whatever he stepped in"!!!
I am sure that Perry's financial backers are trying to bury their heads in the sand or hay or whatever. If Perry is really so dumb, then his backers must be dumber. Sad but true "birds of a feather flock together". No wonder the state of Texas is in such shambles. Hundreds of thousands uninsured, teachers salaries at their lowest, drastic cuts in the firefighting agencies, high drop out rate and school budgets slashed damaging the future of children and if Perry has been so negligent and irresponsible performing in his duties as governor, why does anyone think he would be a good president????

[ethiopia1a]

02:22 PM on 11/10/2011

Is Newt going to be the next flavor of the month?

[Feesister]

02:21 PM on 11/10/2011

Let's take a moment to imagine what would have happened if Obama couldn't remember a list of three items, then followed it with "oops."

[fireblazin]

02:41 PM on 11/10/2011

For real.......he would never hear the end of it. Rick Perry put himself in a pickle with that one..... it was so funny. LOL

[tj101]

05:50 PM on 11/10/2011

Brilliant point!

[thomasdep]

02:09 PM on 11/10/2011

This from TIFFANY GINGRICH?

[Mi4Peace]

02:23 PM on 11/10/2011

Cool drag name.

[Maria Pellio]

02:01 PM on 11/10/2011

I loved how he looked to Ron Paul for help, at least he was looking in the right direction.

[Paul Peete]

02:12 PM on 11/10/2011

Yeah, the zany right!

[Maria Pellio]

02:21 PM on 11/10/2011

actually the only man on that stage that understands the depth of this economic crisis.

[cocolola]

01:59 PM on 11/10/2011

Speaking is not his strong suit.

[A Meat Beetle]

02:00 PM on 11/10/2011

He made the "oops moment" a joke? Well, why should it be any different than any other moment of his life?

[phantom power]

01:59 PM on 11/10/2011

well, if that isn't the pot calling the kettle worthless...

[sitdownANDlisten]

01:53 PM on 11/10/2011

He should of just said there are so many pointless agencies I cant remember where to start.

LESS GOVERNMENT!!!

[Mi4Peace]

02:08 PM on 11/10/2011

No thanks, more government regulations are needed and tax rates raised. Your less government fantasy would do to much harm to the nation.