Rick Perry's 'Country Solynda' Gaffe: GOP Candidate Mispronounces Solar Company's Name, Calls It A Country

Hours after Saturday's presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa, GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry continued his string of memorable campaign gaffes.

CNN Political Ticker reports that Perry campaigned in the Hawkeye State, stopping in Ames. He focused on energy, taking shots at the Obama administration's handling of government spending.

"No greater example of it than this administration sending millions of dollars into the solar industry, and we lost that money," Perry said. "I want to say it was over $500 million that went to the country Solynda."

Perry was on target with his loan estimate, as the Department Of Energy issued a $535 million guarantee back in 2009. The only problem with his remark: the funding went to an energy company named Solyndra.

The Texas governor's lineup of laughs has grown over the course of his 2012 campaign. Back in November, he made headlines with his "oops" moment at a GOP debate, failing to name three federal agencies that he would eliminate. In New Hampshire, Perry got the voting age wrong as well as the date of the 2012 election. Two days ago, Perry had a judicial fail in an interview with the Des Moines Register forgetting the name of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Perry defended his gaffes in a sit-down with Fox News Sunday, telling viewers that voters "aren't looking for a robot."

Back in 2010, Obama touted Solyndra as an exemplary company within the green economy. But by August 2011, that praise wilted to problems, with the company announcing its plans to file for bankruptcy. That began a chain of events, including CEO Brian Harrison's resignation, a Republican-driven subpoena for documents related to the company and an ensuing rejection by the Obama administration. By mid-November, Energy Secretary Steven Chu was taking responsibility for the failed loan.

Here are some of Perry's other memorable mistakes:

Comments

[real sista]

09:42 AM on 12/20/2011

Perry, notepad honey notepad always with you.

[mopsy1]

06:34 PM on 12/19/2011

I truly thought GWB was the penultimate pratfall president, but Rick Perry completely eclipses Bush's confusion and absence of knowledge.

[chance1946]

05:02 PM on 01/25/2012

Well I did not know there were 57 Islamic states until Obama was electedPresident. He is a great Professor of Islam. I bet he can quote the Koran too.

[Steven Schwartz2012]

06:25 PM on 12/15/2011

as if America would elect another empty hat from Texas.

[chance1946]

05:05 PM on 01/25/2012

Won't happen but you can goole it. Like shovel ready jobs are not really shovel ready. Who would have guessed.

[honormatters2012]

09:35 PM on 12/13/2011

When will HuffPost comment on Obama's gaffs?

[kgilgenberg]

01:06 AM on 12/14/2011

When he has them

[HTLautrec]

11:46 AM on 12/15/2011

Everybody gaffes. But few gaffe EVERY. SINGLE. TIME they open their mouth.
You can count Obama's on one hand.
Perry's, like your queen, Sarah, could fill a book.

[mopsy1]

06:35 PM on 12/19/2011

Imagine Perry/Palin as president and vice president--we would need interpreters.

[chance1946]

05:16 PM on 01/25/2012

5. What language is that? In April 2009, on one of his many foreign trips, President Obama mused, “I don’t know what the term is in Austrian” for “wheeling and dealing.” Oops, Mr. President. There is no Austrian language.

6. Twister casualties: After a devastating tornado hit Kansas, Obama discussed the tragedy without help from a teleprompter, saying, ''In case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died—an entire town destroyed.'' He was only off by 9,988 as the twister killed 12 people.

[keramos]

08:11 PM on 12/13/2011

The title of this article reads like one of those from The Onion.

[Steven Schwartz2012]

06:29 PM on 12/15/2011

This just in "Perry is endorsed by The Onion, for President 2102"

[TheDuke75]

07:36 PM on 12/13/2011

Rufus T. Firefly wants to know when Solynda is going to invade Freedonia? That way he can have the Duck Soup ready.

[wwhatever747]

05:22 PM on 12/13/2011

Photo #1 He's requesting a government paid personal "Headjobs" to clear up his messed up head.

Photo # 2 He's pointing at his own "mental illness" in forgetfulness.

[etspirit]

05:07 PM on 12/13/2011

Rick Perry is the best man for the difficult job of being the next President of this United States. He is an honest, good man, who will stand his ground to do what is needed to turn this nation around and reestablish the principles that this nation was built upon. We must stop kidding ourselves, what we have been doing for the past 30 + years is not working. Hard working, God trusting, good people built America to be the great nation we once had the honor of being. We are not that nation now.

We must go back to what worked. Rick Perry will stand his ground and fight the enemys of America, those that are inside or out outside of our nation. We can not afford to elect another business as usual Republician to the office of President or to any office in Washington. This election will deturmine the direction our nation will take. We need a strong, honest, good President that is intuch with the people - RICK PERRY is that man.

[Steven Schwartz2012]

06:31 PM on 12/15/2011

Grandma Perry, what are you doing on my laptop

[paulmeat]

04:16 PM on 12/13/2011

i was wondering if obama is going to visit all 57 states again during his re-election campaign.

[JustMyWords]

08:16 PM on 12/18/2011

I wonder if any of the pinheads that like to repeat that 'gaffe' will ever knowledge that that isn't exactly what he said. He started to say he'd campaigned in all 50 states, realized he hadn't yet, and tried to say 47 states, which was correct.

But let's not let reality get in the way of a good story, right?

Of course, some of us also find it telling that when the subject of gaffes comes up, they can be listed by the bucketload for such Republican shining lights as Bush, Palin, and Perry, while the only thing the 'other side' seems to be able to find to yammer about is the supposed 57 states comment.

[chance1946]

05:18 PM on 01/25/2012

Hero soldier mix-up: While commending troops at Fort Drum, N.Y., for their completed deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, President Obama said, “A comrade of yours, Jared Monti, was the first person who I was able to award the Medal of Honor to who actually came back and wasn't receiving it posthumously." Wrong hero. Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti was killed in action, another soldier, Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta, was the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor that fought in Afghanistan.

What year is it? During a trip to London’s Westminster Abbey, President Obama signed the guest book and dated it 24 May 2008. Oops. It was 2011. (Maybe he was wistfully dreaming about his 2008 election campaign at the time.)

[real sista]

09:41 AM on 12/20/2011

lol

[thecastermaster]

04:02 PM on 12/13/2011

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[chance1946]

05:19 PM on 01/25/2012

Special Olympics insensitivity: The President called and apologized to the head of the Special Olympics, after making this insensitive comment following a game of bowling: “No, no. I have been practicing. ... I bowled a 129. It's like—it was like Special Olympics, or something.'' Maybe he should have also apologized to bowlers for his feeble effort.

Faith confusion: No wonder so many Americans are unsure of the President’s faith, as he seems to be confused himself. During the 2008 campaign, during an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Obama said, “What I was suggesting—you're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith,” before Stephanopoulos jumped in to help, saying ''your Christian faith.”

[Z trufflesniffer]

02:19 PM on 12/13/2011

Dear Rickie, it only takes two little words and they shouldn't be too hard for you. They are, now listen carefully, they are "I" got that one? The next one is "quit'. Got it! It's very simple and you can stop making a fool of yourself. I QUIT. Practice if necessary in front of the mirror.

[vbookish7]

01:17 PM on 12/13/2011

And Rick.....BP is a country that screwed up the Gulf. When will the US make them pay?

[manuman]

12:20 PM on 12/14/2011

BP did pay. All the politicians. This is the best government money can buy !

[68Namvet]

12:23 PM on 12/13/2011

Just what this country needs - another "dumb as a post" Texas politician as President - geez - didn't we learn anything from 8 years of bush (the lessor)?

[Z trufflesniffer]

02:20 PM on 12/13/2011

Did they guy really go to school? I know many Texans who speak perfect English.

[reste0123]

03:30 PM on 12/13/2011

Now we know why the IDIOT Newtster is leading. With Tea Bag candidates like Perry & Bachmann. Just imagine if Palin was in the race, Newt be leading by 50%. Tea Baggers, wow, They are now hanging election posters of Newt all over the White House..Should be more of a landslide then when McCain/Palin ran...Where's Rush when YOU baggers NEED him most?? LOL

[honormatters2012]

11:20 PM on 12/13/2011

It's easy to identify those with below average intellect or inadequate knowledge of an issue, they invariably resort to tired sarcasm or a mocking response.

[iuyt7890]

12:15 PM on 12/13/2011

He doesn't like Solynda because they are threatening the bordering country of Ubeki-beki-beki-stan-stan.

[ACarole]

10:22 AM on 12/13/2011

For the first time, I am beginning to appreciate G.W., whom I totally disliked (past & present). Perhaps all of these potential candidates can be the first passengers on the commercial space ship launching soon. They could play "last man standing" game until they get to where ever they are going. This situation would be funny if it were so tragic.

[heraldi]

04:29 PM on 12/14/2011

Hope you are kidding...about those hellish 8 years.

[chance1946]

05:22 PM on 01/25/2012

Ya, we had gas at 1.67 a gallon, Housing prices were higher and unemployment averaged 5.3 with Bush . Ya terriable times.