November 11th, 2011
06:20 PM ET

Oops! Share your stories of Rick Perry-style brain freeze

Let's face it. We've all had our flubs or gaffes or "stepped in it" before. But when you're running for president of the United States, it just seems a whole lot worse.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has been the butt of just a few jokes since his failed attempt Wednesday night to name three federal agencies he'd like to get rid of. His last word on the matter has been dubbed "the 'oops' heard round the world."

Sure, many a politician before him has frozen in front of the camera, from Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to former President George Bush, who stared into space in a fruitless effort to name his "biggest mistake." There's even a scientific explanation for it: a "retrieval failure" in a moment exacerbated by stress, according to The Washington Post.

Now in damage control overdrive, Perry has been trying to make people laugh with him as he smiles and jokes his way through interviews, culminating in an appearance Thursday on the Tonight Show with David Letterman.

His campaign even sought to do some fund-raising off the gaffe, encouraging supporters to send $5 for every government agency they "would like to forget."

How about you? What's been your most embarrassing pregnant pause? We promise not to tell!

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Filed under: Rick Perry
soundoff (207 Responses)
  1. PriceMaster

    Jon Huntsman struck me as smart and honest. Frankly it seemed like he was the only one that knew what was going on.

    November 11, 2011 at 11:26 pm | Report abuse |
  2. PriceMaster

    There was only one candidate that understood all of the issues and that was Jon Huntsman. And he speaks Chinese.

    November 11, 2011 at 11:27 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Jay C

    I'm happy if they know how many states we have, and that a Corpsman is not a deceased person.

    November 11, 2011 at 11:27 pm | Report abuse |
  4. banasy©

    I'm making ice. I've got to get the tray, fill it with water...and...um...er...what temperature do I set the oven at again?

    November 11, 2011 at 11:27 pm | Report abuse |
  5. banasy©

    Or that ketchup isn't a vegetable...

    November 11, 2011 at 11:28 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Another OopsMoment

    Hey, here's another great Perry Oops! moment. Before he continues bragging about all the jobs he has created in Texas, etc. here's the Real Scoop! And you heard it from the horse's mouth! http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/18/news/economy/poverty_perry_texas/index.htm?iid=HP_LN&hpt=hp_c1

    November 11, 2011 at 11:33 pm | Report abuse |
    • UmYeah

      Isn't this Obama's economy?

      November 12, 2011 at 11:00 am | Report abuse |
  7. Karen

    It's about the future president of the most powerful country of the world, nevertheless media make a joke about this. Why worry about Euro Zone?

    November 11, 2011 at 11:35 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Jane

    Any man can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error.

    November 11, 2011 at 11:52 pm | Report abuse |
  9. bobcat (in a hat)

    Who said that ?

    November 12, 2011 at 12:08 am | Report abuse |
  10. banasy©

    That's a great quote, Jane.

    November 12, 2011 at 12:10 am | Report abuse |
  11. hellish

    everyone oops once in awhile,no big deal the main objective is to get rid of obama before he destroy's america

    November 12, 2011 at 12:19 am | Report abuse |
    • Msichana

      YES! Because Obama got into power when the country was in such great shape. PLEASE!!! he has done more for this country in his short term than that guy who was there before him what's his name? Bush, yes that very intelligent man.

      November 12, 2011 at 12:47 am | Report abuse |
    • Ancient Texan

      True! The only people having a problem with this are the far left that aren't going to vote for for anyone but Obama and the totally BIASED Media. Everyone has these moments at one time or another. Any one of the GOP candidates on his worst day is better than Obama on his best day!.

      November 12, 2011 at 10:04 am | Report abuse |
  12. oscar r

    appearing on letterman, obvious part of damage control plan. too late mr. perry, you have shown the world your true self. you are either in the early stages of alzheimers or (more likely), you're just plain dumb. either way, not acceptable for the SERIOUS responsibilities of the presidency.

    November 12, 2011 at 12:19 am | Report abuse |
  13. Allen

    Perry is cool, smart and confident. Look at his resume and record.

    November 12, 2011 at 12:22 am | Report abuse |
  14. Cap'n Rita

    Rick Perry had a thought. It died of loneliness. He wasn't able to resuscitate it. I doubt he'll be able to do any better at resuscitating the country. Next!

    November 12, 2011 at 12:26 am | Report abuse |
  15. Sam

    I like him. Perry has a personality. Nothing really will happen in D.C. An election will not change it, no one really seems to care about doing the right thing. Statesmanship is dead!
    Take Ohio for example, as flawed as it was to attempt to unilaterally curb organized labor unions in Govt, employees. The Govt., employee benefits packages are as bad as the Greek policies.

    November 12, 2011 at 12:26 am | Report abuse |
    • UmYeah

      I second that thought.

      November 12, 2011 at 11:01 am | Report abuse |
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