For those who think Rick Perry did well last night simply because he did not wet his pants, try this on for size:  Here’s is his answer to how he would solve the problem of China stealing our stuff off the internet machine —

“Listen, there are some people who made the statement that the 21st century is going to be the century of China and that, you know, we’ve had our time in the sunshine. I don’t believe that. I don’t believe that at all. As a matter of fact, you think back to the 1980s, and we faced a similar type of a situation with Russia. And Ronald Reagan said that Russia would end up on the ash heap of history, and he was right. I happen to think that the communist Chinese government will end up on the ash heap of history if they do not change their virtues. It is important for a country to have virtues, virtues of honesty. And this whole issue of allowing cybersecurity to go on, we need to use all of our resources. The private sector working along with our government to really– standing up to cyber-command in 2010 was a good start on that. But fighting this cyberwar I would suggest is one of the great issues that will face the next president of the United States and we must win.”

I am not as smart as newt Gingrich, and just ask Newt who is, but I have absolutely no idea what any of that means.  Apparently, he will fight the cyberwar by throwing unrelated words at it and giving tax money to his friends in private sector.  That’s certainly how he’s solved problems in Texas.

But my favorite moment of the night came when Rick got patted on the head.

Asked about Pakistan at one point, the Texas governor wandered from the topic to pledge that he would make all nations justify their annual U.S. aid payments. His “start at zero” policy might raise some alarms on closer inspection (cutting aid to Israel, are you?), but it drew a “me, too” from Gingrich.

When Gingrich commended his answer, Perry could be seen on a split screen with a look of pride — and surprise — on his face. He looked like a D-minus student who finally got an answer right in class.

Oh, Newt Gingrich, who fancies himself as smart as Bill Clinton.  I thought elephants were supposed to have a long memory but they apparently forgot that Newt resigned from congress under an ethics investigation, a fine of $300,000 and a nasty divorce.  Plus, the sound of his voice makes my ears beg for mercy.

Thanks to Theresa for the heads-up.