Usually questions are asked with some context like “What would you do about the crisis in Aleppo” or the “crisis in Syria”. Regardless, Gary Johnson did not know what Aleppo was. I agree the media should be critical of Gary Johnson for his lack of knowledge on the specifics of the Syrian conflict. But I think it’s also important to make a few points the media often leaves out.

1. At least he’s honest.

He doesn’t have a massive team briefing him on international issues as do the 2 Big Money candidates. So I can cut him some slack, especially since rather than bullshitting like most politicians, he admitted ignorance and asked what Aleppo was so he could learn. Gary was honest and is humble enough to know he doesn’t know everything. I’d be infinitely more comfortable with a leader like Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, who both exhibit disturbing levels of hubris and are notoriously dishonest.

2. He gave an intelligent answer.

Upon being told it is a city in the middle of the Syrian crisis, he gave an intelligent response about how to resolve the conflict, working with Russia, and mentioned the conflict is a result of US’s historically problematic policy of regime change.

3. The Media’s double standard.

I find it odd that the media is now reporting how important it is for the candidates to be able to comment on Aleppo, yet the media never asked any other candidate specifically about Aleppo (before the media attack on Johnson). I can’t even find footage of any other candidate mentioning Aleppo before Johnson’s gaffe.

4. What about the rest of the interview?!

While MSNBC, all other networks, and independent media focus on the Aleppo moment, MSNBC has not made the full interview available to the public. (Go ahead. Try to find it.) That is inherently deceptive, and makes it all too easy to speculate that mainstream media’s intention is to spin Johnson as a fool rather than inform the public on his stances on the issues.