Tales from the Trail

Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry drew a blank at the Michigan debate while trying to make a point about cutting government waste.

Afterwards, his campaign spokesman said it was an error of style not substance. Tony Fratto, former President George W. Bush’s spokesman, tweeted: “Perry can end his campaign right now.”

The affable Texas governor said he would eliminate three government agencies if elected president — but he could only name two.

“It is three agencies of government when I get there that are gone: Commerce, Education and the, what is the third one there, let’s see,” Perry said during the debate.

Prompted by a moderator, Perry tried again. “The third agency of government I would do away with — the Education, the Commerce and let’s see. … I can’t, the third one, I can’t, sorry. Oops,” Perry said.

Republican Senator Tom Coburn has released his “Wastebook 2010″ report, a list of government spending that adds up to over $11.5 billion which he considers wasteful.

It includes burping cows, Vidalia onions, a 2,500-year-old mummy, and finding love on the Internet.

“Even those lucky enough to have jobs have had to tighten their belts.  Yet, Congress continues to find new and extravagant ways to waste tax dollars,” Coburn said in a statement.