Perry stumbles anew in latest debate

Yet another GOP debate took place last night at Oakland University in Rochester, MI. And if one thing has become pretty apparent, it's this: If the Republican presidential aspirants are going to be on a stage together, there's a good chance Rick Perry will steal the show ­– and not in a good way for his White House hopes.

The debate focused on economic issues. The Lone Star State's governor was listing the three government agencies he wanted to eliminate: Commerce, Education, and…. and….. and…. “Um, Um... Oops.”

As we later discovered, “Um, Um” actually means the Department of Energy.

“Seriously?” asked an obviously stunned moderator, CNBC's John Harwood. “But you can't name the third one?” If he was shocked, imagine what viewers thought.

Is this the first time a White House aspirant has verbally stumbled? Of course, not. And it won't be the last. However, given the fragile psyche of the electorate, Perry's consistent snafus are not a laughing matter – try as he and his team might to make light of it.

UPDATE: Rick Perry goes into "damage control" mode appearing on morning shows and even the Late Show with David Letterman to poke fun at himself for the slip-up by performing the Top 10 excuses he couldn't remember the other federal agency he wanted to cut. Unfortunately, even Letterman looks pained at Perry's performance.