Johnson: If voters see Aleppo response as disqualifying, ‘so be it’

by Rebecca Savransky - 09/08/16 11:56 AM ET

Gary Johnson responds to criticism of his "What is Aleppo?" remarks https://t.co/qpCW0H5DNl

— Independent Journal (@TheIJR) September 8, 2016

Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson on Thursday brushed off criticism from those who said his Aleppo gaffe is disqualifying in the race for the presidency.

{mosads}”For those that believe this is a disqualifier, so be it,” Johnson said Thursday on “The View.”

“But I’ve been really well-served in my life by always telling the truth. If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything. I think the one unforgivable in life is hypocrisy — saying one thing and doing another.”

On Thursday morning, the Libertarian nominee appeared not to be familiar with the Syrian city of Aleppo.

“What would you do if you were elected about Aleppo?” MSNBC political commentator Mike Barnicle asked Johnson minutes into an interview with the former New Mexico governor.

“And what is Aleppo?” Johnson asked.

“You’re kidding,” Barnicle responded.

“No,” Johnson said.

“Aleppo is in Syria,” Barnicle said. “It’s the epicenter of the refugee crisis.”

“OK, got it, got it,” Johnson said.

Johnson later Thursday said he “blanked,” when he appeared to not know what Aleppo was.

“This morning, I began my day by setting aside any doubt that I’m human,” Johnson said in a statement shared with The Hill.

Tags Gary Johnson