Why Rick Perry lost his mojo

(By Jonah Goldberg, USA Today) - Well, let us hear no more about how debates don't matter.

So far, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and Texas Gov. Rick Perry have seen their campaigns damaged from poor debate performances. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has cemented his status as a front-runner thanks to his polished debate work. Herman Cain is breaking out thanks in no small part to the debates. And Newt Gingrich, whose campaign debut was so disastrous it made prom night in the movie 'Carrie' seem like a smashing success, has managed to claw his way into respectable double digits thanks to his crowd-pleasing rhetorical displays.

It's Perry's debate record that has shocked people most. As both the stakes and expectations rise higher, he scores lower with voters and pundits alike. Barely six weeks ago, he came riding into the GOP primary race like a Texas Ranger bent on taming an unruly mob. Three debates later, he looked like a greenhorn knocked off his horse, now feebly searching in the dirt for his lost six-shooter.

His own wife had to come out and make apologies for his performance: "He's never had a debate class or debate coach in his life." That's not a great place to be. Nor is it reassuring when a candidate is running on his "proven leadership" and his lil' lady has to promise that her husband will be "better prepared next time." Make sure he washes behind his ears, too!