Posted on 11/06/2015 8:33:42 AM PST by 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.â€
“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.â€
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
The beginning of the end. Too bad. He’s accomplished so much in his life that he really didn’t need to fabricate or embellish.
Oh! Oh!
This is the end for Carson. Where will his white guilt GOP supporters go?
Oh man - if true what a bummer. WHy do people lie about stuff like this that’s SO easy to check? I might lie about getting a home run in high school, when in the distant past I was in high school, but this sort of sh!t comes back to bite you in the a$$ if you’re ever going to run for office.
Ouch. Selling snake oil was pretty bad, but this is inexcusable. There’s no way any of us can trust him with a known lie like THIS under his belt.
This was no mere “mistake”. This was willfully lying to aggrandize himself.
I'm sure all subsequent posts will be measured and fair. LOL!
HILLARY CONTRACT WARNED AGAINST MISHANDLING INFO CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR 'UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE'
Carson admits fabricating West Point scholarship...
We know which one is far more serious. We also know which one will be hounded into dropping out of the race.
You can’t make this up....
Bummer.
Carson not reliable.
Dr Ben’s biography is as solid as Joe Biden’s, innit?
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My thoughts exactly. I never considered Dr. Carson as presidential material - but unless this story totally blows up, I still think Carson could add value as a VP.
I think the GOPe/media plan was to put Carson in 1st place then watch Trump tear him to shreds. That way they could show the world that Trump had no shame, went after the prestigious doctor with both barrels.
Unfortunately for them, Trump didn’t trash Carson. Now they’re going to toss Carson and put Rubio up.
If you read the entire article, you get a very different picture. The headline reads like Carson has been claiming something he really hasn’t. And his recollection is very consistent with the events some 30-40 years ago.
Would have been truthful to say that the General had lead him to believe that he would have a good chance for a full scholarship if he applied to West Point.
It’s too bad, that don’t dig that deep on that other Ben! Benghazi.
This is POLITICO working hard to find a story to help Trump stop Carson.
He was allowing things to be said in behalf of his campaign that caused me to wonder how close he stuck to the facts.
All those face book signups by the hour
Him being the first to be awarded a 30% figure this campaign season
Now we know.
It’s unfortunate when a guy does things like this.
Burnt toast?
That’s Racist!
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