Presidential hopeful lost for words as he forgets agency he aims to scrap

Perry announced boldly that he would axe three government departments. He named the first two – commerce, education – and then got stuck.

He checked his notes, he counted on his fingers, but the third federal agency he was looking for would not come to mind. An excruciating 53 seconds went by before he looked up, and said apologetically: “The third one, I can’t. Sorry. Oops.”

It was an awkward moment broadcast live and shared almost immediately online. Yesterday the clip was being aired repeatedly on cable news channels, with most pundits suggesting that it marks the end of his race for the White House nod.

Mr Perry himself appeared determined to put the gaffe behind him. Admitting that he had “stepped in it” over the mangled attempt to recall the third government agency – he later confirmed it as the Department of Energy – he denied that it meant his campaign was effectively over.

“This ain’t a day for quitting nothing,” he said during a round of interviews aimed at limiting the damage.

But the verdict was delivered across the twittersphere was damning. “Perry response will be on highlight reels for years to come,” posted US business guru Jack Welch.

“Rick Perry just lost the debate. And the entire election,” added Tim Albrecht, a spokesman for Republican Iowa governor Terry Branstad. It was a view shared by many.

Tuesday’s mangled televised performance marked yet another nail in the coffin for Mr Perry’s campaign.

After entering the race in August on a wave of support from the religious right, the evangelical Christian has seen his popularity slide and has underperformed in a series of televised debates.

Last month, he delivered a bizarre speech in New Hampshire, gurning and making over-enthusiastic gestures as he discussed tax policy.

The address led some to wonder if he had been drinking or was on medication. Mr Perry denied both suggestions, but the speech has been a source of mockery and parody since.

The latest debate – the ninth such bringing together of the Republican candidates – was by-and-large a tepid affair compared to previous fractious encounters.

Centered on the economy, most of the candidates appeared content in focusing the attack on president Barack Obama’s record.

They also agreed that the US should not step in to help struggling economies in the eurozone.

Ahead of the debate in Michigan, most of the talk had been on the plight of Republican candidate Herman Cain.

The former pizza mogul has been the subject of a string of sexual harassment claims relating to his time as head of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s.

Mr Cain has emphatically denied any wrongdoing and in the debate it appeared that Republican support was unwavering.

As the moderator attempted to broach the subject, the partisan audience hissed and jeered.

To applause, Mr Cain said: “The American people deserve better than someone being tried in the court of public opinion based on unfounded accusations.”• Watch the YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zUA2rDVrmNg