Oops! (Again)

It's sort of a shame that Rick Perry is already toast in the Republican race -- not only because he would be easily crushed in debates against President Obama and in the general election, but also because he has been a constant source of side-splitting gaffes that could surely have kept us entertained until next November. Perry's lack of having a clue almost makes Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain look rational.

I'm sure you've all heard about Perry's big debate gaffe, where he said he would eliminate three federal departments if elected president and then couldn't remember what those three departments were. His "deer-in-the-headlights" look as he mumbled and tried vainly to remember the name of the third department will be replayed for decades -- both for laughs and as an example of what not to do in a debate.

Now he's done it again. He's pulled a gaffe that would embarrass any politician with half a brain, and has political pundits all over the country shaking their heads (and Texans wishing he would just stop humiliating the state nationwide). Yesterday he told a crowd of young Republicans at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, "Those who are going to be over 21 on November 12th, I ask for your support."

Now that may not sound too bad -- until you realize a couple of things. First, the United States Constitution through the 26th Amendment says that 18 year-olds can vote in election for national office. For a politician who regularly regales voters with tales of what the Constitution does and does not allow, Perry sure doesn't seem to know much about that document. Or maybe he just doesn't want the votes of 18, 19, and 20 year-olds.

Second, the 2012 general election is going to be held on Tuesday, November 6th -- not November 12th (which is the following Monday). I don't really mind Perry telling Republicans to wait until the 12th to vote -- maybe some of them will believe him. But you would think that someone running for political office would know when election day is.

This should tell you why a lot of us Texans think Perry is just another George Bush -- only not as smart (and that's just sad).