FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Not since Sarah Palin sat down with Katie Couric has a candidate for the nation's highest office looked as bad as Rick Perry did Wednesday night.
Here’s what the Texas governor said:
"I will tell you, it is three agencies of government when I get there that are gone. Commerce, Education, and the - what's the third one there? Let's see. OK. Commerce, Education, and the ... "
"EPA?" Mitt Romney offered.
"EPA, there you go," Perry said.
When pressed by the moderator, Perry admitted it wasn't the EPA.
Then he tried again:
"The third agency of government I would – I would do away with Education, the Commerce, and, let's see. I can't. The third one, I can't. Sorry. Oops."
Right after that debate on CNBC, Perry rushed to the spin room where he tried to make light of what he had done.
"I'm glad I had my boots on tonight. I really stepped in it."
Note to Mr. Perry: It's time to go away now. This wasn't the first time you came off as an intellectual lightweight in these debates.
This "aw shucks," grade – school stuff may play in Texas - but I, sir, don't want you anywhere near the nuclear launch codes.
We have a world on the brink of economic collapse and a Middle East on the brink of another war.
There is trouble all around, and you lay claim to being able to run the country with what amounts to half a loaf.
The saying is, "Half a loaf is better than none."
In Rick Perry's case, that's not true. Please just go away.
Here’s my question to you: Is it time for Rick Perry to withdraw from the presidential race?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.