It’s like the Dunning-Kruger effect has been weaponized.

Of course, its all Obama’s fault.

Perry’s tweet, after the debate:

Too funny, LMC. President Obama definitely won that debate. I hope they have 20 more.

I foresee Perry covered in crib notes up to his elbows in future debates.

The questioning panel was not amused. What a sideshow of clowns! Perry is just barely functioning intellectually; hell, he’s barely functioning at all!

That smug, smirky face is so much like Bush’s that I want to slap the snot out of him.

I never thought I would say this.  At least Palin could debate.  You might not have understood exactly where she was going, not sure if she knew where she was going, and cocked your head in puzzlement when she was done, but at least she could string some sentences together.  She knew how to fake it. Like you said, Perry almost makes Palin look like a brain trust.  Now I have to go wash my hands because I feel icky just writing this.

I feel your pain, Joy. It wasn’t like Palin was exactly debating—in her only go-round with VP Biden, she wisely announced up front that she was going to ignore the questions and regurgitate talking points instead. But at least she managed to, well, not exactly say anything coherent, but she strung words together that vaguely resembled spoken English. Somehow Perry managed to limbo under that bar. He must be part mole.

Ron Paul is a total crackpot, of course, but he mostly managed to communicate his crackpot ideas. The rest of them were just shameless liars and/or idiots. It really is sad that this is the best the GOP can do. I hate the Republican Party, but it is one of only two viable parties in the US, so I would appreciate it if they could set about promoting oligarchy in a reasonably sane fashion. But apparently this is too much to ask.

The Texas Democratic Party must be guilty of some astonishing political malpractice given that Perry’s been through three elections for governor and apparently nobody’s noticed until now 1) his racist pet rock, or 2) the fact that he’s barely functioning.

Was watching CNBC early this morning, where Perry’s “oops” was on an endless loop. (Almost made me long for department store Christmas muzak.) Also, you will all be relieved to know, Steve Forbes does not count Perry out, as long as Perry embraces the idea of a flat tax.

At least Palin could debate.

Palin’s tactic has ever been (1) “blind ‘em with bullshit”; (2) don’t pause or people will have a moment to get beyond the “WTF did she just say?!”; (3) keep the limo engine running, and (4) disappear into an adoring throng to exchange backslaps and give autographs, shielding you from all but the most airy questions from the media, then (5) vamoose before the analysis begins; (6) if cornered, during or after the event, cry “victim!” and recycle to (1).

The most impressive thing you could say about Palin’s “debate” and public speaking performances is that she has the breath control of a freediver.

Perry’s problem last night was precisely that he ignored (2), paused, and admitted he’d forgotten something (something you’d think was pretty key to his whole electoral platform and underpinned by good reason, but what the hey).

Given his performance a week or so ago, I’m surprised he didn’t start tapdancing with jazz hands to cover his confusion (or burst into song, like Herb Cain).

Well, but at least he didn’t use a teleprompter!

I don’t see what the big deal is - remembering two out of three departments is pretty good. The fundagelicals Repubs can usually only remember three commandments.

Call me a wishy-washy leftist if you want, but when I saw this last night, I facpalmed and almost felt bad for Perry(almost being the keyword).

I haven’t checked Free Republic or BigGubment today, but I imagine they’re saying “yeah,but Obama said he’d been to 53 states!!”.  Because 3 years later, that’s still all they’ve got.

@Betty:

Somehow Perry managed to limbo under that bar. He must be part mole.

Utterly awesome! Carve that one in stone.

At least Palin could debate.

Keep in mind that there was only one debate and she was doing so miserably in the prep for it that they whisked her off to McCain’s ranch for a couple of weeks of hardcore coaching.  She still couldn’t remember Biden’s last name so they had her spin the bit about calling him Joe. 

With similar time and resources they could probably bring Perry up a little closer to that standard but in this debate marathon the Repubs seem determined to have he’s just not standing a chance.  Fortunately.

Vis Palin’s “debating” skills, envision her giving hockey scores and you’ll probably come around to what she’s good at: performing in front of the camera with the illuminated red light. [Wink]

Debating, it’s not, but then we don’t really have debates, do we?

Even more cringe-worthy than the brain freeze is that Perry likely doesn’t have a clue what Commerce or Engery do.  Hell, he doesn’t seem too well acquainted with Education, either.

While we’re on the subject, can we retire the meme that Rick Perry is “handsome”?  To me, he looks like the manager of a Super 8 Motel in Amarillo flayed the skin off Ronald Reagan’s withered head and is wearing it as a mask, like Leatherface.

At least Palin could debate.

I wouldn’t call it debating, exactly, but she did have some command of the English language, it’s true. If this goes on, in a few years the GOP debates will be indistinguishable from the Westminster dog show.

in a few years the GOP debates will be indistinguishable from the Westminster dog show.

or the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show.

*

Probably doesn’t say much for me but I think this is one of the funniest things I’ve seen in awhile.

I’m starting a new religion around Rick Perry. Stupidity of this magnitude demands worship! I’m currently accepting donations.

in a few years the GOP debates will be indistinguishable from the Westminster dog show.

I was thinking more like the first part of the Star Wars Holiday Special (you know, the bit that’s all in Wookiee.)

The really discouraging thing is that at least 40% of people with enough intelligence to fill out a voter registration form and find their polling place will vote for one of those clowns.