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 ...
This guy needs to go. I have been scratching my head for 3 months as to how he ever got to 2nd place in the GOP presidential race. If this and the Pyramids were for grain storage get rid of him fine by me.
Still a crappy lie to tell. Bye, Ben.
...
And probably not the only one.
Strange isn't it.
I posted this last December, ( and No, I didn't our field was so vaulted like all our punditry class said they were ) It is standing up pretty well, Sadly Carson is the Mike Huckabee of 16'....
* Mike Huckabee: Bill Clinton with a Banjo
* Chris Cristie: Bobby Bacala should not run for POTUS
* Rick Santorum: Would make a great producer for EWTN
* Jeb Bush: No more, Please.
* Ben Carson: The Huckabee of 08' for 2016
* Newt: OJNTSA ( yes the photo of they guy with his hand on his head )
* Mitt Romney: They don't sell Isuzu's here anymore Joe
* Ted Cruz: Senate Majority Leader, those words are music to my ears.
* Rand Paul: A Deadhead for POTUS?
* Marco Rubio: I could have been a contenda...
I think this is more egregious than any insinuations about O’s college thesis. This is an open and shut case.
ROTF LMBO
Yes, Political has been a die-hard supporter of Trump this year. Good call. /s
ROTF LMBO
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Some candidates go out in a spectacular explosion (see Gary Hart), others fade into the background (Pawlenty), but others get buried under a system of missteps and gaffes that they can’t get out from under (Perry in 2012).
Looks like Carson, in just the last 48 hours, is heading toward the latter fate.
It’s been a rough week for ole Benny Hill. Hopefully this will be enough to send the Brian Williams of the Republican pack out for good.
I think it's TERRIFC !! Can you imagine if he had gotten the nomination and THEN this stuff came out?
Lying about military involvement has become very bad form the past few years. He should've manned up about this lie before announcing his candidacy. Then there's the aspect that he pretends to be a religious, humble man.
Mygosh....now I'm wondering who's behind Dr. Carson running for president?
A lot of decent folks are supporting this guy.....but very very gullible.
“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.”
How can he add value as VP if he isn’t prepared to assume the role of President? The VP’s primary job is to be able to take on the President’s job should the President leave office. The VP candidate should be as qualified to take on the role as the person at the top of the ticket.
The Journo-Listers decided early on that he was going to be protected. I'm sure Barak was investigated, too. The difference is that it was done in order to find any evidence that needed to be destroyed or hidden before anyone else found it.
ping
Agreed.
One damaging article in some blog does not make or break anyone’s career.
If however the whores in the media smell blood here and they do a total hit piece on Carson - then it could be bad.
For now - we should all refrain from panty wadding.
He gone
Fox Business talking about it now - Carson is toast.
LIke the dug up stuff on Barack Obama and spent all their resources fact-checking his every word.
I'm curious about the ROTC angle on this. Was Carson actually in ROTC, did he actually dine with Westmoreland, and did Westmoreland encourage him toward West Point in some way that then grew with each retelling of the story?
Baloney. This is a hit job. Read the entire article. Carson has not been attempting to fabricate something, he mentions it in a book or two as surrounding a dinner he attended where he met Gen Westmoreland, whom he remembers encouraged him to apply to West Point and that he’d get a full-ride. That is totally believable as a casual dinner conversation and probably made quite the impression.
LIke they dug up stuff on Barack Obama and spent all their resources fact-checking his every word.
I'm curious about the ROTC angle on this. Was Carson actually in ROTC, did he actually dine with Westmoreland, and did Westmoreland encourage him toward West Point in some way that then grew with each retelling of the story?
You are correct. The MSM did not investigate Obama but that doesn’t mean we should stop investigating everyone.
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