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Rick Perry’s ‘Oops’ Campaign Ad (For Jay Leno) May Be His Most Effective Yet

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by Frances Martel | 12:06 pm, December 3rd, 2011

» 22 comments

Rick Perry parachuted himself into the 2012 Republican race as a frontrunner, but rather than taking the campaign season by storm, his need to consistently deliver lines without flubbing them has put him in a bit of a vulnerable position. In his new “campaign ad” for The Tonight Show, he takes a shot at himself by citing his now-legendary brain freeze over the three federal agencies he would shut down, and in making light of himself, Perry is at his most charming.

The “ad” actually begins with a clip of the gaffe, cutting it off well before the extended pause where Perry fumbles and fails to find an answer, as Perry interrupts himself to answer the question. “We’ve all lost our train of thought before, but not many have done it on national TV,” he jokes, adding “if you want a slick debater, I’m obviously not your guy” and outlining some of the policies he wants to see implemented under his watch, including a balanced budget amendment and a “part-time Congress.” Naturally, he forgets his last (Congressionally mandated) line: “I’m Rick Perry and I approve this message.”

Perry has been trying to scramble to the top again since that gaffe by making light of it repeatedly– most notably on The Late Show in Dave Letterman‘s Top Ten list– and by performing significantly better in the debates following the gaffe. While neither seem to have particularly helped him, that could be attributed far more accurately to the fact that the media has simply not given him the time of day; they’ve had enough on their plate with the odyssey of Herman Cain and the unexpected and pretty inexplicable rise of Newt Gingrich.

The most intelligent strategy for any candidate in the race, however, is to run against the default: Mitt Romney. Gingrich is the exception, as he has made his run one against President Obama and the media and succeeded in part, but whether that is a successful long-term strategy given the ticking time bomb nature of his resumé is yet to be determined. Romney’s greatest weakness is not that many allege he has been on both sides of every issue (that hasn’t stopped Gingrich), or that he is Mormon (religion hasn’t stopped Jon Huntsman, though other things have), or that he is an elite businessman (as Cain is). His greatest weakness is that nobody likes him, because he comes off as stiff and robotic, with little charisma or empathy.

In wielding his faults as a spear in the campaign battle, Perry positions himself to be the diametric opposite of Romney– what could be more of an empathetic experience than blanking out on the answers in the middle of the test? What is more charismatic than having the confidence to make fun of yourself, particularly in contrast with a Republican who thinks Fox News is too difficult an interview venue? The jokes serve to argue that the American people have seen the worst of Rick Perry, that he has publicly hit rock bottom. And in this sort of campaign, when it’s unclear if the number of women alleging sexual misconduct with Herman Cain will remain in the single digits and just how many lobbying gigs Gingrich took after being unceremoniously displaced in Congress, knowing the worst of a candidate is in the past is a surprisingly formidable weapon.

The fake ad via NBC/Rick Perry 2012 below:

[h/t The Week]

2012 elections, Gaffes, Jay Leno, Oops, Republicans, Rick Perry, The Tonight Show

Anonymous

That a candidate would attempt to make a virtue of his inability to communicate a key policy issue isn’t humanizing, it’s humiliating.
Anonymous

People, really? “Charming”? He’s a total grifter. A screwball who smiles his way through his mistakes. GW on meth. Come on. This is bullpucky.
http://twitter.com/Vict0riaJackson fakevictoriajackson

Only Republicans can do this. Howard Dean let out a scream at his own rally with thousands of other screaming fans and he was considered done by the media and ridiculed daily by the right.
Anonymous

No need for the religious right to find their family values candidate if they look hard enough. Excellentt comment. http://blogs.trb.com/news/opinion/chanlowe/blog/2011/12/chan_lowe_the_solution_for_val.html
Anonymous

I totally disagree. It takes a big man to be able to make light of his own failing rather than being defensive about it. It’s like not he’s making it into a virtue.
Anonymous

the “other” idiot gov from Texas is done
http://twitter.com/grimcity Neal Boyd

I agree with him that we don’t need a “slick” debater, just a good one… seeing as how Presidents often DEBATE THINGS.
http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Randal/100000535186834 James Randal

This is embarassing.
david r

He’ll be the next to go.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_IC7HRBJRXKA7IKTTZS5W3UIECQ Agent of Truth

I’m Rick Perry and I approve of this message: “America…..I’m going to date rape you!”
Anonymous

Great article on a man comfortable in his own skin. He would make a great President.

The rest of the negatives being written here are from folks who obviously read each other’s posts as gospel and then repeat them.
Anonymous

It takes a Man to own up to his mistakes, and Perry just proved he can make fun of himself, and be a great leader. Has anyone ever heard Obambi own up to any of his many, many mistakes? Never! “Pass The Buck Barry” should be Husseins nickname.
Anonymous

Lol, yes, Dean did kind of make a Fool of himself. But the Lefts say nothing if their man gets a BJ in the Oval Office from a woman who is not his wife, and the Left never said anything. So, what is worse?
Anonymous

Or, with Obama, who prefers to rape all of America, from the back!
Anonymous

It takes a Leader of People to admit to their own mistakes and gaffes, then be able to laugh at himself. I don’t think I have ever seen Obambi admit to any mistake, but I have seen him blame others all the time. His nickname should be “Pass the Buck Barry”! Perry or any of the candidates can and will do a better job than the Failed Community Agitator.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VK7U6RFTAUIPW2JR2NGPBP2IYA super

I agree 100% and its exactly like this guy is without the assistance of technology ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxxxGUeZtno

cant wait for newt to debate him :)
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VK7U6RFTAUIPW2JR2NGPBP2IYA super

actually it was the kiss of death that everyone forgets is what killed his campaign….AL Gores endorsement. :)
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VK7U6RFTAUIPW2JR2NGPBP2IYA super

Remember then Kerry didn’t want AL Gores endorsement either ;)

—–

Al Gore: Okay. Goodbye to you, then. [ hangs up phone ]

Tipper Gore: Al. Honey. Aren’t you coming to bed?

Al Gore: I’ll be right there. It’s just, the Democratic Party needs Al Gore. I’m trying otm ake the world a better place!

Tipper Gore: Come to bed.

Al Gore: Okay, Tipper, I got one more call to make tonight.

[ Tipper exits ]

Al Gore: [ dials phone, clears throat ] Hello? Hello! This is Al Gore.

[ cut to Sen. John Kerry on the other end of the phone ]

Sen. John Kerry: Hello, Al.

Al Gore: I.. I wanted ot be the first to say congratulations, Senator Kerry.

Sen. John Kerry: Well, thank you, Al. Of course, it’s not over yet.

Al Gore: I know. I heard you had an affair.

Sen. John Kerry: I have already categorically denied that.

Al Gore: Don’t worry, it doesn’t matter! I was on the ticket with an honest-to-God pervert, and he mopped up George, Sr.! I mean, I think you’re the man! At first, you know, I supported Howard Deam.

Sen. John Kerry: Yes. I know. I want to thank you for that, Al!

Al Gore: I don’t think Dean would’ve gotten as far as he did, without my support.

Sen. John Kerry: Al, he hasn’t won a single state.

Al Gore: Well, I’m done supporting him! I tried to support Clark but he wouldn’t talk to me. Then, I.. expressed interest in supporting Edwards. But he tried to sue me! And Lieberman took a poke.. at.. me.

Sen. John Kerry: Well.. you had that one coming to you, Al.

Al Gore: [ changing subject ] Anyway.. I think the entire world would like to know, who I’m going to support now?

Sen. John Kerry: Well, I’ll tell you what I think, Al: I think you’re delusional.

Al Gore: Well, the wait is over. I.. decided.. to support.. youuuuu!!

Sen. John Kerry: Gosh, Al, I-I really wish you wouldn’t do that. You know, I think I’ve got a real chance here.

Al Gore: I’ve got some very big ideas. Let’s invest in
health care, education! Let’s preserve the environment! We can make
this country stronger! And richer! I am.. ex-cit-ed.

Sen. John Kerry: Well, Al.. they’re all good ideas, they.. they just don’t sound good coming out of you!

Al Gore: That’s because you haven’t heard my new style.

Sen. John Kerry: People have been talking about your new style, Al, and.. I’m not sure it’s the right move.

Al Gore: Listen. I’ve got a new throat thing going. [ demonstrates ] Our president BETRAYED our trust!! He LIED to us!! I’m Al GORE!! My hatred for him GROWS!! [ softens his tone ] ..and grooooows. I can turn it on and off, it’s easy. You should try it!

Sen. John Kerry: Yeah. I probably won’t try that, Al.

Al Gore: You just wait ’til I’m at the convention. I’m gonna be a big ol’ hit at the convention.

Sen. John Kerry: Yeah.. the convention.. [ lying ] It’s in, uh, Salt Lake City gthis year, Al. I’ll see you there!

Al Gore: I thought it was in Boston..?

Sen. John Kerry: Yeah, I guess they moved it! Now it’s out in Salt Lake! I can’t wait to see you in Salt Lake City, Al!

Al Gore: Hey, wha- what..? What’s this I hear about you needing a Vice-President?

Sen. John Kerry: Gotta run, Al!

Al Gore: No, no, I-I don’t know if you remember this, but.. I’ve been a Vice-President –

Sen. John Kerry: Oh, you know what? I’m driving into a tunnel, Al! I’m onmy cell phone! [ faking ] Crackle.. crackle.. Gotta go! I’m breaking up! Crackle..

Al Gore: Remember the throat yell, it’s real –

[ Kerry has hung up, Gore is stuck with the dial tone ]

[ Tipper re-enters the kitchen ]

Tipper Gore: Al. you said you were coming to bed.

Al Gore: John Kerry is so excited about my support! [
pretends he's still speaking with Kerry ] I’ve gotta go now, John! Bye!
[ hangs up the phone ] I think I’ll make a big announcement tomorrow, Tipper. I think the world will want to know, and they’ll be listening..

Tipper Gore: That’s nice, Al. You come upstairs, okay? I’ve got your pajamas all laid out.
http://snltranscripts.jt.org/03/03lgore.phtml

[ Tipper exits ]
Anonymous

I disagree with you GOPman. I think that making light of the gaffe shows Perry to be human, and he’s not perfect, and we all know it…I believe this actually works in his favor, although press is doing what they can to minimalize him by focusing on Newt and the plight of Cain.
Anonymous

That scream made him sound even more crazy than he already comes across.
Anonymous

So, who is your candidate?
Anonymous

If Perry wasn’t campaigning to be the most powerful person on earth, I’d agree with you. But the office of president is too important to risk it to someone who’s repeatedly failed to deliver at critical moments.