{UAH} Gov. Gary Johnson blunders again: ‘I guess I’m having an Aleppo moment’

By CRISTIANO LIMA

 

09/28/16 09:07 PM EDT

Gary Johnson drew a blank again on Wednesday.

In another excruciating exchange on MSNBC, the Libertarian nominee was unable to name a single foreign leader he respects, failing to recall the name of former Mexican President Vicente Fox just as he previously drew a blank on the Syrian city of Aleppo.

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Pressed by "Hardball" host Chris Matthews to "name one foreign leader that you respect and look up to," Johnson stumbled.

"I guess I'm having an Aleppo moment in the former president of Mexico," Johnson said.

"Well which one?" Matthews angrily insisted.

"I'm having a brain freeze," the Libertarian nominee replied.

"Well, name anybody," Matthews said, drawing another empty stare from Johnson.

William Weld, the Libertarian vice presidential nominee, then made an attempt to rescue his running mate, listing Fox and other politicians, at which point Johnson properly recalled it.

Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson: 'What is Aleppo?'

By LOUIS NELSON and DANIEL STRAUSS

"Fox, he was terrific," Johnson finally said. The former Mexican president has been a fierce critic of Republican nominee Donald Trump, ripping him as "crazy" and an "imperial gringo."

Following the interview, Johnson campaign spokesman Joe Hunter dismissed the controversy, blaming the "gotcha crowd" for seizing on the fumble.

"Nothing happened. He couldn't think of any 'favorites' because he really doesn't have any," Hunter told POLITICO. "The gotcha crowd is pouncing, predictably. It was a fair question, but tough to answer off the top of one's head."

In a subsequent Facebook post, campaign manager Ron Nielson also denounced the outcry over the comments, bucking Johnson's apologetic approach to his prior Aleppo gaffe.

"The Clinton and Trump supporters are at it again. This is gotcha-ism at its finest. Not by Chris Matthews, but by too many looking for any opportunity to pounce," he wrote. "Yes, asked to name a favorite foreign leader, Gov. Johnson didn't quickly name a specific favorite. That really doesn't mean much. Most Americans and certainly most political candidates would have to stop and think before responding, with the possible exception of a Donald Trump who is enthralled by Putin."

Johnson's blunder recalled another "brain freeze" he had in a Sept. 8 interview on MSNBC.

Asked by the host how he would handle the refugee crisis in the Syrian city of Aleppo, where hundreds of thousands face potential starvation, Johnson asked, "What is Aleppo?"

Johnson was widely mocked, forcing him to face questions over his preparedness to be commander in chief. He later explained that he thought he was being asked about an acronym.

Daniel Strauss contributed to this report

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