'The Perry moment will be on highlight reels for years to come'

Texas Gov. Rick Perry suffered a brain freeze on national television during tonight's presidential debate among Republican candidates for president.

When trying to make a point about three federal agencies he would eliminate, Perry could only name two.

"And I will tell ya, it's three agencies of government when I get there that are gone. Commerce, Education and ... the uh, what's the third one there?" Perry asked.

Texas Congressman Ron Paul lifted up his hand with five fingers outstretched, suggesting that five agencies be given the ax.

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"Commerce, Education, and the uh ...," stammered Perry.

"EPA?" former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney suggested jokingly.

"EPA. There you go," Perry said with laughter, but then adding he would rebuild EPA, but not do away with it.

When pressed on the matter, Perry continued to stumble: "The third agency of government I would do away with: Education, Commerce, and let's see, I can't. The third one I can't. Sorry. Oops."

After the debate, reaction poured in from the likes of former General Electric CEO Jack Welch, who was said to Tweet, "The Perry moment will be on highlight reels for years to come."

"It was a tough moment," said Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. "That was something that none of us would want to go through. I think we all felt bad for him."

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Businessman Herman Cain, who has been leading in the polls recently despite allegations of sexual harassment, was asked if Perry's candidacy were over after tonight.

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"I wouldn't say that," said Cain. "The American people can be pretty forgiving."

"That was a devastating gaffe," said CNBC host Larry Kudlow . "It's a very human thing. I was cringing as it was happening."

Commenting on if Perry could recover, Kudlow said, "He's got a lot of money and there hasn't been a vote cast yet."

Perry's communications director, Ray Sullivan, tried to do damage control following the debate.

"We had a stumble of style but not substance," Sullivan said. "It's good that he was wearing his boots tonight, because he clearly stepped in it."

"Anyone who has been on television knows there are going to be times when you can't reach a word on your tongue," Sullivan continued.

"He's a real human being. He's not a robot. ... He's one of the rare breeds in politics who still speaks from the heart."

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