Ben Carson, Gifted Fabulist
Roger Cohen – The Washington Post
The accumulation of exaggerations, fables and inventions is troubling — or would be if Carson were, in other ways, suitable for the presidency. He is not. He has no political or government experience, and his knowledge of foreign policy comes down to this: He has none….
Ben Carson watches as Donald Trump takes the stage during the CNBC Republican presidential debate on Oct. 28, 2015 in Boulder, Colo. (AP)
Carson’s lies fall into a troubling category. They seem to be entrepreneurial, created by him to advance his own narrative. They are not defensive attempts to explain bad behavior….
Carson has struck back in a so’s-your-mother fashion. He has accused the media of being both cynically and secularly distrustful of him while having given Barack Obama a free ride when he was a candidate.
This is not the way Obama would see it. He was questioned about his mad pastor, his middle name and even his birthplace.
No, Ben Carson Didn’t Lie About West Point. It’s Another Media Hit Job.
Ben Shapiro – The Daily Wire
Politico began thusly:
Ben Carson’s campaign on Friday admitted, in a response to an inquiry from POLITICO, that a central point in his inspirational personal story was fabricated: his application and acceptance into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
The key word here is “fabricated.” Did the Carson campaign admit any such thing? Absolutely not…
…This is a basic case of misinterpreting facts, not an outright lie. Carson served in ROTC. Prominent people wanted him to go to West Point. He wouldn’t have had to pay. He didn’t apply because he didn’t want to go. Those facts are not in dispute. It’s the specific wording over which media have decided to crucify him.This is a textbook example of a left-wing media hit.
Carson Defends his West Point story during a press conference (11-6):
Ben Carson and the Truth
Charles M. Blow – New York Times
Carson has pushed back on the biographical charges with more verve than he has exhibited at any of the debates. That is because the biographical charges don’t simply threaten the Carson campaign, they threaten Carson the corporation — the former I have always contended was simply a vehicle for the latter….
Carson may no longer be a practicing physician, but he is a full-time profiteer, selling his story in books and speeches and paid handsomely to do so…. But these new charges threaten to reduce the legend to a fairy tale, and thereby threaten the checks to be cashed after the votes have been cast.
Media observers seem to me too focused on Ben Carson the candidate. I remain focused on Ben Carson the enterprise, and apparently, so is he.
We Need a Leader Like Ben Carson
RaeAnn Brixius – USA Today
Some argue that his lack of experience disqualifies him to carry out the duties of the president, but in office he’d have ample access to the brightest political minds whose duty it is to advise him on policy both domestic and abroad.
Workers put up banners in preparation for Tuesday’s Republican debate in Milwaukee, Nov. 9, 2015 (AP)
Once president, records do not matter, but having the character to make tough decisions after being presented with options and advice from your teams does. Thus far, Carson has displayed this behavior as he remains calm amid the chaos of the campaign and shows respect by not stooping down to bully debate commentators for a few more seconds.
In a world of constant change and threats to U.S. interests, we need a leader who has the character to be understanding of other cultures but still command the respect for our nation.
