Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson — who made news recently by blanking when asked about the conflict in Aleppo, Syria — admitted to having an “Aleppo moment” again when unable to name a foreign leader he respected.
During a televised townhall meeting Wednesday night on MSNBC with the Libertarian Party ticket, anchor Chris Matthews asked Johnson to name his favorite foreign leader.
As Johnson let out an audible breath, his running mate Bill Weld said “Mine was Shimon Peres,” referencing the former Israeli president who died Wednesday.
“I’m talking about living. Go ahead,” Matthews said to Johnson. “You got to do this. Anywhere. Any continent. Canada, Mexico, Europe, over there. Asia. South America. Africa. Name a foreign leader that you respect.”
Johnson replied “I guess I’m having an ‘Aleppo moment’ in the former president of Mexico.”
“I’m giving you the whole world,” Matthews said.
“I know, I know,” Johnson said.
“Anybody in the world you like,” Matthews said. “Anybody. Pick any leader.”
“The former president of Mexico,” Johnson said.
“Which one?” Matthews shot back.
“I’m having a brain…”
“Well, name anybody,” Matthews said.
“Fox,” Weld jumped in and said, referencing former Mexico President Vicente Fox.
“Fox!” Johnson says, “He was a terrific leader.”
“Whose your favorite foreign leader,” Matthews said to Weld. “Get him off the hook. Any foreign leader?”
“Merkel,” Weld replied, speaking of German chancellor Angela Merkel.
“Ok, fine,” Matthews said, “Saved yourself.”