A campaign gaffe by Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry has gone viral - just minutes after it occurred.
At today's Republican debate in Michigan, the former Texas governor emphatically declared that he planned to eliminate three government agencies in Washington. But as he began to explain, he could think ofonly two.
"Commerce, Education," began Perry, before pausing for a moment as he looked from side to side, counting on his fingers and flipping through his notes.
As the other candidates on stage offered suggestions, a moderator asked Perry if he could name the third agency.
Fifty-three seconds passed before Perry finally admitted he could not name the third agency.
"The third one, I can't," said Perry. "Sorry. Oops."
The gaffe may mark the end of Perry's candidacy, which has been marred by missteps.
Almost immediately afterwards, the odds of Perry winning the nomination dropped from 9 to 4 per cent while former President George W. Bush described the awkward moment as the "human equivalent of shuttle Challenger".
