Posted on 11/09/2011 8:56:20 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
ROCHESTER, Mich. With under two months before the first votes are cast in the Republican presidential primary, the GOP candidates gathered for a debate in a state that has suffered gravely during the nations economic recession but what stole the show were the varying fortunes of the two candidates that pose the biggest threat to Mitt Romneys chances of securing the nomination: Herman Cain and Rick Perry.
While the former has surged in the polls and continues to enjoy support despite new allegations of sexual harassment, the latter has plunged in recent months, even falling outside the top three in polls. Those trends were on full display here at Oakland University as the crowd voiced their strong support for Cain despite the allegations against and sat silently - stunned - as Perry flailed away, unable to name the third federal agency that he said he would eliminate as president.
Its three agencies of government when I get there that are gone - Commerce, Education and the um, whats the third one there? Perry said. Lets see. Oh five Commerce, Education and the um, um.
EPA? suggested his rival, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.
EPA, there you go, replied Perry, before correcting himself.
No sir, he said, we were talking about the agencies of government [that should be cut]. The EPA needs to be rebuilt.
But you cant name the third one? asked CNBC moderator John Harwood of Perry.
The third agency of government I would do away with - the Education, the uh, the Commerce and lets see, I cant the third one, Perry admitted. I cant.
The cringe-worthy moment was so bad that the Texas governor then sighed and said simply, Oops.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Fixed that for ya.
Honestly, while I wanted Perry out, I am hurting for his supporters. Last night was simply humiliating.
I want to take a moment of prayer and thank God this morning that Rick Perry is not a horse.
Now I feel better - cheers!
I think some of Perry’s support might go to Newt.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.