This is how the leftists in the media and liberal Republicans innoculate Romney against Cain, Perry, Gingrich, etc.
You see, when the next attack is launched against Romney by one of the other candidates, it will be because he is Mormon, not because of the issues.
Make no mistake, folks.......the left wants Romney bad because they know he will not turn back as much of liberalism as the others will turn back.
...and, to their discredit the other candidates will buy into this ploy by, as we have seen, jumping on the bandwagon blaming Perry for someone else's comment.