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.”

[tumblindice]

Hi there.

[stephenjohnbanker]

You can pay people to BUMP your Facebook. There are many small businesses who pay people to do this.

[afraidfortherepublic]

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

[ScottinVA]

The sad part is.. his story would’ve been compelling enough without the fabrications.

Damn, Ben... WTH were you thinking?

[xzins]

I think it probably went down something like what you say.

But, normally, we’d have to be talking about Junior ROTC (High School ROTC).

[RoosterRedux]

Politico despises Trump.

[Go Gordon]

I still think Carson could add value as a VP.

Can you give some examples of what he would bring to the table? I just don't see it. He's as much of an empty suit as the current occupant of the oval office.

[GIdget2004]

There are Congressional Appointments and Service-Connected Appointments.

http://www.usma.edu/admissions/sitepages/apply_nominations.aspx

[Yashcheritsiy]

Q. Who defeated Ben Carson in the GOP 2016 primaries?

A. Ben Carson

[NKP_Vet]

I knew their was something creepy about him. He’s the black version of Joe Biden, a pathological liar. Stick a fork in him, he’s done.

[nclaurel]

Have you read the accounts in both books you mention? I haven’t read his book to know what he said.

[stephenjohnbanker]

“Actually, it was Colombia where they can’t find one persosn who remembers Obama.”

Why Obama sealed all his records.

[NormsRevenge]

Big Dummy!!

[aquila48]

It’s too bad, but this may be the straw ...

Though when you think of all the made up stories and people in Obama’s books, who knows.

[Vermont Lt]

One gets appointed to West Point.

I went to a military college and I got a “scholarship.”

Those attending with ROTC got ROTC Scholarships.

No West Pointer or West Pointer parent I have ever spoken to referred to it as a scholarship.

The process is pretty intense. You do not “forget” that stuff.

[stephenjohnbanker]

There are many far more important problems with Carson. He is a black Paul Ryan IMHO.

[mkjessup]

...and his story in both books is consistent with a casual conversation with Westmoreland where the General might have encouraged him to apply and with his grades and success in ROTC he probably would have earned an appointment, which is a full-ride but not technically a scholarship, I suppose.

It has already been reported in Business Insider that according to General Westmoreland's records, he did not have dinner with Carson on the day in question, and was in fact in Washington that day.

It doesn't mean Carson didn't have some sort of conversation with Westmoreland at some point, but the dinner angle looks kaput at this juncture.

I look for Carson to withdraw from the race no later than Sunday night, November 8th. (that's according to my Magic 8-Ball(c))

[Amntn]

From the article:

"I felt so proud, my chest bursting with ribbons and braids of every kind. To make it more wonderful, we had important visitors that day. Two soldiers who had won the Congressional Medal of Honor in Viet Nam were present,” he wrote. "More exciting to me, General William Westmoreland (very prominent in the Viet Nam war) attended with an impressive entourage. Afterward, Sgt. Hunt" - his high school ROTC director - "introduced me to General Westmoreland, and I had dinner with him and the Congressional Medal winners. Later I was offered a full scholarship to West Point."

More: "When presented with this evidence, Carson's campaign conceded the story was false."

[Balding_Eagle]

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.

Unfriggen believable.

I am stunned.

Stunned.

He's now the walking dead.

[jpsb]

Sounds like Ben is channeling his inner John Kerry.