[cripplecreek]

What if Americans are too smart — and refuse to elect a Muslim?

Bingo. While it is technically unconstitutional to exclude them, it is completely constitutional for we the people to vote against them.

[Yardstick]

Exactly. The Congress obviously can’t pass a law keeping Muslims out of the presidency, but certainly the people can take a candidate’s religion into account when deciding who to vote for. I would even say there’s nothing unconstitutional about the candidates making their opponents’ religion a campaign issue. I don’t see anything in Carson’s comment that’s in conflict with the letter of the Constitution.