REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER Rick Perry laughed about his debate performance with David Letterman, gamely poking fun at himself Thursday by giving the TV audience “Top 10 Rick Perry Excuses” for being unable to remember the three federal agencies he would eliminate.

One reason for his brain freeze on stage with his GOP rivals: “Hey, listen. You try concentrating with Mitt Romney smiling at you. That is one handsome dude,” Perry chuckled during his segment with the comedian.

At the debate, Perry could only come up with the names of two of the three agencies he had promised to get rid of if elected president, ending with a grinning, “Oops.”

Perry later said he would eliminate the Commerce, Education and Energy departments. He also acknowledged that he had “stepped in it” during the debate.

The Texas governor is trying to turn the stumble into an opportunity. He is asking supporters to pitch in a few dollars for every agency they would abolish.

Perry’s Top 10 excuses on Letterman:

10. “Actually there were three reasons I messed up last night. One was the nerves, two was the headache and three was, and three, uh, uh. Oops.”

9. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I think things went well.”

8. “Hey, I was up late last night watching ‘Dancing With the Stars.’”

7. “I thought the debate was tonight.”

6. “Hey, listen. You try concentrating with Mitt Romney smiling at you. That is one handsome dude.”

5. “Uh, el nino?”

4. “I had a five-hour energy drink six hours before the debate.”

3. “I really hoped to get on my favorite talk show, but instead I ended up here.”

2. “Hey, I wanted to help take the heat off my buddy Herman Cain.”

1. “I just learned Justin Bieber is my father.”

Watch (apologies for the poor video quality):

(via rep96)

Watch: Rick Perry forgets which agencies he wants to abolish in debate gaffe >