http://youtu.be/B0rmHzBYHyc

Say what you will about Rick Perry’s debate performance Wednesday night; the clean-up job by his media team has been remarkably good. Within hours they were raising money off the gaffe and using the opportunity to book top-flight interviews like the one above with David Letterman. Perry let lots of personality through in those interviews, and that served him well. Americans like candidates who can poke fun at themselves. 

Contrast that with the disastrous PR effort by Herman Cain’s team after old sexual harassment allegations against him were uncovered.  Team Cain dug the hole deeper with every passing moment. 

Perry’s 54-second brain freeze may or may not finish his political career.  But the response from his communications team should make theirs.