Ben Carson admits fabricating West Point scholarship

Politico ^ | 11/06/2015 | Kyle Cheney

[GIdget2004]

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 academy has occupied a central place in Carson’s tale for years. According to a story told in Carson’s book, “Gifted Hands,” the then-17 year old was introduced in 1969 to Gen. William Westmoreland, who had just ended his command of U.S. forces in Vietnam, and the two dined together. That meeting, according to Carson’s telling, was followed by a “full scholarship” to the military academy.

West Point, however, has no record of Carson applying, much less being extended admission.

“In 1969, those who would have completed the entire process would have received their acceptance letters from the Army Adjutant General,” said Theresa Brinkerhoff, a spokeswoman for the academy. She said West Point has no records that indicate Carson even began the application process. “If he chose to pursue (the application process) then we would have records indicating such,” she said.

When presented with this evidence, Carson’s campaign conceded the story was false.

“Dr. Carson was the top ROTC student in the City of Detroit,” campaign manager Barry Bennett wrote in an email to POLITICO. “In that role he was invited to meet General Westmoreland. He believes it was at a banquet. He can’t remember with specificity their brief conversation but it centered around Dr. Carson’s performance as ROTC City Executive Officer.”

“He was introduced to folks from West Point by his ROTC Supervisors,” Bennett went on. “They told him they could help him get an appointment based on his grades and performance in ROTC. He considered it but in the end did not seek admission.”

[Responsibility2nd]

He’s a black conservative. Sure, he’s an empty suit. Most veeps are.

[magua]

15 yard penalty and loss of down,Ben.

[Ouderkirk]

Unfortunately, Ben dug this hole all by himself.

After Brian Williams serial lying, you would have thought that it would be better to just keep his mouth shut. Especially in light of the idea that to the left he’s (insert the latest leftist racial epithet about him here).

The left and the mediots simply cannot allow this man to grow in popularity, and continue to say the things he’s saying. They are doing to him what they did to Herman Cain. It worked with Cain, and it looks like the Carson walked right into their trap.

It’s a shame to see such a great man have his reputation tarnished this way. I do believe that after this... he’s done.

[FreeReign]

Politico despises Trump.

So be it.

This is POLITICO working hard to bury Carson.

This will help Trump.

Perhaps they think this will help Rubio, but it won't.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Congrats to your brother. We had 4 from my graduating class go there. All 4 were A students, and were athletes to boot.

[parksstp]

This thread, unfortunately, if true, hurts. I don’t get why people feel the need to prop up their story to make it more interesting when their life in question is already remarkable. No doubt Dr. Ben has had some amazing experiences so it’s sad he would find the need to add some “fluff” to it.

Still, in hindsight, I don’t think this stacks up with HRC’s claim of being under “sniper fire” and all the other lies she told. At least Dr. Ben was serving in ROTC and had the credentials to back up an application and given the climate at the time, he most likely would have gotten in easily with his credentials. He chose not to apply and purused another successful career.

It’s sad though. Just something people can throw stones at.

[HarleyLady27]

That's why he changed to a Republican in 2014 to run against the republican candidates to insure Hillary turn at the White House...

Ben Carson is a plant of the GOPe, and the media, RINOs and talking heads all know this...

He is there to knock off Trump and probably Cruz to ensure Hillary's win....did you ever hear of Carson in the political world until this election? NO...

Trump wasn't quite about running this time, but they didn't figure he would knock over the apple cart of the GOPe like he has and he has a friend working with him on this, Ted Cruz....so the gig is up and now Carson is tanking just like all the rest....and the GOPe, media, RINOs have their hands in the cookie jar and don't know what to do...they hired super pacs, and campaign people and Club for Growth to take Trump out and it's not working...they didn't figure how big Trump's support base and Cruz's support base was going to be and thought that Bush could handle it, but he was a no show from the beginning....and so is Carson...

[al baby]

Burnt toast

[ro_dreaming]

I think they’re all racists for even ASKING Dr. Carson (who’s black, in case you didn’t know!) about his past!

/sarc, or not?

[mkjessup]

"Actually, it was Colombia where they can't find one persosn who remembers Obama."

Why Obama sealed all his records.

*DING DING* WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER!!

I think it would be safe to say that although this allegation appears true (based on the Carson campaign's admission), one could say that Ben Carson has been 'Herman Cain'd for this election cycle.

BTW ol' FRiend, have a great weekend!

[PlateOfShrimp]

I agree completely. It looks like for once the primary process is doing its job.

Refining fire.

[spokeshave]

Both Ryan and Carson shot to prominence by a each making single speech against Obama,

Maybe it was all a set up by Obama and the dims/GOPe from the start.

...and the Candy Crowley (sp) episode with Romney

Two coincidences are coincidences...

but three are a trend.

[conservative98]

Trump just weighed in 15 minutes ago...

Donald J. Trump ‏@realDonaldTrump 15 minutes ago
"@Robostop10: @realDonaldTrump This is not good. http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/ben-carson-west-point-215598 …" WOW, one of many lies by Ben Carson! Big story.
View summary 42 retweets 57 likes

[Genoa]

Trump is already tweeting and calling it a big story....

[camle]

he should have claimed to be american indian, and bumped real indians out of jobs. that’s ok..

[Wilderness Conservative]

I liked this guy from the first moment he surfaced at the National Prayer Breakfast when he schooled obama. However recent things have bubbled to the surface like the infomercial, pyramid theory, and this story make me wonder if the guy is playing with a full deck. Like Ron Paul, I like a lot of things he’s said but there’s something not entirely right about the guy.

[Patton@Bastogne]

.



2015-11-05 : Free Republic's Patton@Bastogne's Bold Political Predictions


(1) Yeb Bush will make a good political campaign decision "intelligently" REFUSE to exit the 2016 GOP Presidential Race until he is DEFEATED in the 2016 March 15 Florida Primary. Yeb Bush's political "ace in the hole" is the hopelessly corrupt Florida Republican Party ... the ones who redistricted the great Allen West out-of-office.


(2) Meanwhile ... Dr. Ben Carson will be polling "single digits" by Christmas 2015 ... at which point he'll endorse (suprise, surprise) Yeb Bush ...


(3) Marco "Amnesty" Rubio (lavishly funded by Yeb Bush's former donors) ... will place FOURTH in Iowa (abandoned by the Tea Party Evangelical Christians for being a greedy bad-faced liar) and FOURTH in the Florida Primary (in a "blood-sport" death-match with Yeb Bush)


4) Ted Cruz SHOCKS the "Washington Establishment Cartel" with a three-percent Florida victory over Donald Trump ...
















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[ozarkgirl]

Well crap! 1) I am very disappointed that Ben Carson would lie. 2)He was my go to after Trump and Cruz. I wouldn’t have been terribly disappointed to vote for him. Not my choice but would have been okay since it was my impression he is a strong Christian. Would be wonderful to have a Christian leader in the White House.

[stephenjohnbanker]

You have a great weekend as well.