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Ben Carson: Why yes, I have been promised a position in the Trump administration
Hot air ^ | March 15, 2016 | Allahpundit

Posted on 03/15/2016 8:36:57 AM PDT by pilgrim

Via Newsmax, could be merely an advisory position, could be something more. Steve Malzberg asks him at one point in the first clip below if a cabinet position is in the offing. Carson says merely that they’re still working on details. Maybe Secretary of Education?

David Graham wonders: Uh, isn’t this illegal? 18 U.S. Code § 599:

Whoever, being a candidate, directly or indirectly promises or pledges the appointment, or the use of his influence or support for the appointment of any person to any public or private position or employment, for the purpose of procuring support in his candidacy shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

No doubt politicians across the spectrum “purchase” endorsements every day with promises like this, but most of them have the good sense not to admit it publicly. I suppose, if the feds come snooping around wanting to know what the arrangement here is, Carson will insist that he pledged his endorsement to Trump first and was then offered a position. It wasn’t a purchase, see. It was merely an exchange of … gifts. Whatever the excuse, it’s impossible to imagine a prosecution. A Trump/Clinton race would, if nothing else, be a shining illustration that no law can stop rich people from seeking political power.

Caleb Howe notes another bit from this same interview:

CARSON: I have to look at what is practical and what is going to save this country and the American dream for the next generation. Is there another scenario that I would have preferred? Yes. But that scenario isn’t available.

MALZBERG: With one of the other candidates you mean?

CARSON: Yeah.

It takes a special surrogate indeed to all but admit that he’d have preferred to back another candidate. Howe treats that as further evidence that Carson’s support was purchased by Trump. Could be, but I remember reading somewhere recently (can’t find the link, alas) that Trump and Rubio were both quietly competing for Carson’s endorsement behind the scenes. Rubio would have been a better match temperamentally and philosophically, as they’re both soft-spoken and both devout Christians. But Rubio’s campaign is circling the drain; Carson admitted a few days ago that it was pointless to endorse him or Kasich since neither has a path. If Rubio were in a position to win Florida today and revive his campaign, maybe Carson would have gone his way. He isn’t.

Which raises the question: With Rubio and Kasich off the table and Team Carson at odds with Cruz over his “dirty trick” in Iowa, why did Trump offer Carson anything for his endorsement? He was Carson’s only option, by process of elimination. Makes me wonder if Trump’s landed any major endorsement thus far without promising something in return. His most prominent supporter is Chris Christie — and it’s not just Republicans who are wondering about that:

The subject quickly turned to Christie, and Clinton wondered: “Why did he support him?”

Matthews explained that Christie and others who support Trump “want a future” politically.

“Did he have a debt?” Clinton mused.

Matthews added that New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat, “isn’t going anywhere,” which leaves Christie “nowhere” to go in New Jersey politics.

Could be, or it could be that Trump did some sort of favor for Christie in the past and the bill finally came due. Pam Bondi, the attorney general of Florida, endorsed Trump yesterday; as it happens, a PAC she controlled received a $25,000 donation from Trump in 2013, right around the time several victims of Trump University complained to her office about what had happened to them. She didn’t investigate. Huh.

As a Twitter pal said this morning, Trump’s probably promised the VP slot to 15 different people at this point. Here’s Carson talking about his forthcoming role in a Trump administration followed by a second clip of him saying that he thinks Trump will be a good president — but even if he isn’t, we only have to put up with him for four years, right? Maybe Rubio should be glad this guy didn’t endorse him.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: gossip; liarposting; speculation
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To: pilgrim

Sorry don’t take anything seriously written by a proven habitual lair and repeated by another set of habitual liars.


41 posted on 03/15/2016 8:59:07 AM PDT by MNJohnnie ( Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered)
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To: MNJohnnie

Regardless, he doesn’t have anything to fear and everyone knows this goes on.

Its a big nothing.


42 posted on 03/15/2016 8:59:58 AM PDT by dila813
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To: MNJohnnie

You’re calling me a liar, johnnie?


43 posted on 03/15/2016 9:01:14 AM PDT by cowboyway (TEOTWAWKI and I feel fine...........)
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To: cowboyway

Shameless liars putting their own spin on this statement. At best it is shameless lying by omission

Carson: I will be doing things as well, yeah.

Malzberg: In the administration.

Carson: Certainly in an advisory capacity.

That not a job promise or anything of the sort. That is the manufactured LIE in today’s smear attempt.


44 posted on 03/15/2016 9:03:05 AM PDT by MNJohnnie ( Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered)
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To: pilgrim

No surprise. Prior to Iowa I heard Jerry Falwell Jr tell Hannity that Liberty University received a great big surprise contribution from Trump back a couple of years ago. I knew then what was coming next, and it did like clockwork.


45 posted on 03/15/2016 9:04:23 AM PDT by skeeter
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To: MNJohnnie

MNJohnnie, agreed! in quote of Carson!!!

Thanks for making a credible remark!! It is appreciated!

At this point no one knows what the final outcome will be.

Think the new term is “truthful hyperbole.”

Thanks again.


46 posted on 03/15/2016 9:04:33 AM PDT by pilgrim
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To: Jewbacca

Aybody who believes Carson would endorse someone “pro bono” is off the charts naive.


47 posted on 03/15/2016 9:06:29 AM PDT by traderrob6
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To: MNJohnnie

Jesus man! Do you need a hug or something? Are you this bitter and angry in your own life to constantly hound, troll, and name call those merely posting articles and citing said articles? I could care less who you are for but to constantly chase someone calling them liar isn’t going to win others to your side. Let’s be a little civil, is this too much to ask for!?


48 posted on 03/15/2016 9:10:30 AM PDT by Jarhead9297
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To: skeeter

That was a disappointment for me.

Everyone wants to see and support a winner.


49 posted on 03/15/2016 9:12:36 AM PDT by pilgrim
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To: pilgrim

They all do it! support is rewarded with political appointments.


50 posted on 03/15/2016 9:15:01 AM PDT by I want the USA back (The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it. Orwell.)
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To: Jarhead9297

Does need to be gruntled.


51 posted on 03/15/2016 9:15:28 AM PDT by pilgrim
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To: Moonman62; MNJohnnie

You agree with MNJohnnie,

I am a liar?

If so call me that to my face and show me where I lied.

MNJohnnie you were included because this poster Moonman62, agreed with your ‘assumation’ I was a liar. No other reason.

Moonie, will be waiting for you to call me a liar again!!

Take care.........pilgrim


52 posted on 03/15/2016 9:20:05 AM PDT by pilgrim
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To: pilgrim

A position he will never get.


53 posted on 03/15/2016 9:24:07 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: PGR88

If we all get dragged over the cliff by Trumpbots, Yes you will find lots to be disappointed about in 2017.


54 posted on 03/15/2016 9:24:35 AM PDT by X-spurt
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To: Idaho_Cowboy

Forget the sarc notation?


55 posted on 03/15/2016 9:25:47 AM PDT by X-spurt
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To: pilgrim

Calm down. Unless you wrote the headline, which I don’t think you did, then I’m not calling you anything. Take care.


56 posted on 03/15/2016 9:27:46 AM PDT by Moonman62 (The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)
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To: X-spurt
Forget the sarc notation?


Sorry, I thought it was obvious. Then I realized it wasn't.
57 posted on 03/15/2016 9:27:58 AM PDT by Idaho_Cowboy (I Samuel 8:19-20 The New Spirit of America?)
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To: gov_bean_ counter

All the panders will have to fight it out in the new Trump Cage Fight TV show. It’ll be pay per view and worth the price.


58 posted on 03/15/2016 9:28:38 AM PDT by X-spurt
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To: Moonman62

Thanks for the clarification.

I failed to read your full post. Apologies extended to you!

My ‘somewhat’ get a little upset when called a liar! Failed to control it!! :)


59 posted on 03/15/2016 9:33:19 AM PDT by pilgrim
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To: pilgrim

Thou doth protest too loudly. Get over it.


60 posted on 03/15/2016 9:33:56 AM PDT by X-spurt
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