Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson has gotten himself in hot water yet again after claiming "nobody got hurt" in the recent attacks in New York, New Jersey and Minnesota.
On CNN’s “Reliable Sources," Brian Stelter asked Johnson for his reaction to the recent explosions in the tri-state area, as well as the stabbing that occurred in St. Cloud, Minnesota. "What do you think the government needs to be doing on a day like today?" Stelter asked on Sunday.
“Well, first of all, just grateful that nobody got hurt,” Johnson said. In fact, 29 people were injured in the Chelsea bombing and nine people were stabbed in the St. Cloud attack.
Johnson quickly admitted that he misspoke and clarified that he meant to say there were no casualties rather than no injuries. He corrected himself on Twitter and once more on CNN the next morning.
"Well first of all, what happened in New York, just really glad nobody was killed," he said Monday. But the damage may have already been done.
Johnson has been struggling to overcome his previous slip-up on live TV; earlier this month he asked "What is Aleppo? on MSBNC's "Morning Joe" when asked a question about the city at the center of the refugee crisis.
The nominee faced backlash and ridicule over the response and shortly after apologized for the faux pas. "I'm incredibly frustrated with myself. I have to get smarter," he said following the appearance.
The presidential candidate has been attempting to appeal to voters that are unsure about voting for Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump by presenting himself as a strong alternative.
After his "Aleppo" gaffe, Johnson said, "For those who believe this is a disqualifier, so be it."
Neither Johnson nor Green Party candidate Jill Stein qualified for the first presidential debate at Hofstra University on Monday September 26th. The Commission on Presidential Debates's criteria for participation states that candidates must be constitutionally eligible to become the president, achieve ballot access in enough states to win a possible Electoral College majority and have the support of at least 15 percent of the national electorate based on five national polls.
While Johnson and Stein satisfied the first two criteria, they both failed to reach 15 percent in the polls, with Johnson polling at 8.4 percent and Stein at 3.2.
