Debate fumble shows politicians are human too

I didn't get a chance to watch the Republican debate last week, but did come across the video of Rick Perry's embarrassing debacle as he racked his brain for the three governmental agencies he wanted to scrap once he became president.

"There's three agencies that will be gone---commerce, education, and...what's the third one there?" he said, as the one-minute embarrassment began to unfold.

Perry quickly started to look cornered and confused, like a student whose mind went blank after receiving a semester exam. Hoping to cheat off one of his classmates, he quickly looked to the left at Ron Paul, as if he was trying to find the answer there.

Paul, trying to be helpful, waggled his five fingers, telling Perry there's five agencies that need to go.

That reminded me of those awful algebra tests in high school that my kind teacher would offer hints on, but sometimes you'd get more confused if you asked for help.

"Commerce, education, and... the EPA?" he squeezed out, a with bit of hopefulness in his voice.

One of the debate moderators offered him the "dumb look" before asking him if he'd thought of the third option yet. Another moderator looked like she was about to burst from withholding her laughter.

"I can't---oops," Perry replied.

Since the debate, he's probably gone off and gotten a wrist tattoo so he'll never forget those agencies again: commerce, education and energy. It's too bad L.A. Ink isn't still filming, because that would make for an interesting episode.

Republican, Independent or Democrat aside, you have to feel sorry for the guy. Embarrassing yourself is one thing, but on national TV? Like a chain e-mail, it's been spread far and wide across the internet now, too.

I've had the chance to meet both Fourth Congressional District candidates, Christie Vilsack and Steve King, twice, and I'm impressed with both of them (policies aside), because being eloquent while remembering everything you want to say has to be tough.

While I don't really care that much for politics myself, but I do have to say that I have a lot of respect for candidates and politicians who speak in front of thousands of people every year.

It's a tough job, but I guess someone has to do it.