The two Republican candidates in a special election struggled to remember the name of Treasury Secretary Jack Lew.
The Guardian published an interview on Wednesday covering “a series of touchstone questions” put to former state Sen. Bradley Byrne (R) and real estate developer Dean Young (R). The two candidates contending for the Republican nomination for Alabama’s first congressional district were both asked to name the current United States Treasury secretary. Here are their respective answers:
Byrne: I can see his face but I can’t remember his name. Is it Jack Lew?
Young: It was Paulson. Is it Tim Geithner now?
That wasn’t the only fumble. Young also had trouble naming the current House Republican whip.
Byrne: Kevin McCarthy. I met him the other day so that’s an easy question.
Young: I don’t know. Eric Cantor – is that who it is?
Young also said he suspected President Barack Obama was born in Kenya. Byrne correctly noted that the president was born in Hawaii and has produced his birth certificate to try and finally end outlandish rumors that he is not an American citizen.
Byrne: He was born in Hawaii and he has produced a birth certificate.
Young: That is what we call the $64,000 question! I have no idea! [When pushed for an answer:] Kenya.
Byrne is generally considered the frontrunner in the race for former Rep. Jo Bonner’s (R) House seat. Earlier in the week, the Chamber of Commerce said they planned to endorse Byrne.
The primary runoff election will take place on Nov. 5.
