Perry on changing GOP presidential debates: ‘Hell yeah’

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) is eager to change the GOP presidential primary debate structure in 2016. 

On Wednesday, Perry replied “Hell Yeah” when Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) said it was time to end the “stupid” way the GOP holds its presidential primary debates during an appearance at the Republican Governors Association meeting in Arizona, according to reports.  

{mosads}The scene of Perry on a presidential debate stage in 2011 forgetting the name of the third federal agency he would cut if president still haunts him.

Perry, who is considered a possible candidate for president in 2016, told Yahoo News in September he still thinks about the moment from time to time.

“I put it behind me and go on about it,” Perry said. “It happened. You know, it may happen again.”

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus has made a concerted effort to call out the absurdity of the debate schedule in recent months. The GOP held 20 debates during the primary last election. 

Earlier this year, Priebus also threatened to not partner with CNN and NBC News during the debates unless they canceled planned programming on Hillary Clinton, considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination if she runs. 

Both networks have since canceled their plans. 

In a report commissioned by the RNC after President Obama won reelection, Republicans called the number of debates ridiculous and advocated for a leaner schedule of 10 to 12 debates. 

“Debates must remain a central element of the GOP nominating process, but in recent years, there have been too many debates, and they took place too early,” the authors said in the report.