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.”

[Yashcheritsiy]

Show me first where Politico lied about their statement. They’re reporting it - show where they’re reporting it incorrectly.

[Rusty0604]

Thank you.

[outinyellowdogcountry]

This isn’t a deal breaker. It’s a matter of phrasing in my opinion. Unfortunate but not that big of a deal. Does it make you wonder if her actually performed brain surgery? No. Blowing it up to make it a big deal and after I read the story I am not surprised. Headlines damn. Let’s check all candidates with truth meters for statements they make. I am for Cruz but this isn’t worth getting him beat up over. Maybe they are giving him the Herman Cain treatment.

[sparklite2]

“Where will his white guilt GOP supporters go?”

They’ll curl themselves into the fetal position, suck their thumb and cry. They are that pathetic.

---

Eventually, yes. They’re still in denial at the moment.

[huldah1776]

Weird how everyone has a history except for the current executive that can be proven true or false. Carson is a bit off and my gut feeling was right.

[mkjessup]

We should kick Iowa out of the Union. They always seem to pick the worst candidates. Buncha corn-fed idiots.

Well I can't pile on Iowans too much, since they gave us Joni Ernst to replace the crying pro-Communist Tom Harkin.

But Iowa's long standing 'significance' in setting the tone for presidential primary races needs to be revisited. That whole 'first in the nation' horse manure needs to be done away with, and rotate the 'first' caucus and/or primary state to assure that no one state acquires an overabundance of influence.

[bert]

It’s a lie and you gullible racists believe it.

On rush it was detailed that as a 17 yo honor ROTC student He had a meal with the general and understood the offer was made for a scholarship at ( a full free ride) West Point

Those of you that get your rocks off demanding a great conservative man are truly despicable

[Rummyfan]

What a stupid lie. One, there really is no such thing as a scholarship to one of the service academies. They are tuition free, and in fact cadets or midshipmen or whatever-the-zoomies-are-called receive pay, just like ROTC students do. The payback is the five years of active duty graduates are required to serve upon graduation and commissioning. Why would he make up such a thing?

[FreeReign]

"This is POLITICO working hard to bury Carson."

POLITICO is equal opportunity in slandering conservatives.

Yet others in the MSM work hard to set up a horse race that splits the so-called outsider vote.

Seems to me that they have been propping Carson up. No they try to take him down?

[John S Mosby]

For the Lord’s sake.. you apply through a congressman or the US President.

That is the ONLY way to get in. There are a couple of prep school pre-pre Academy trying to get the recognition and sway of politicians to appoint, and some of those get in.

Don’t link website clips at me— utterly pointless and a facade. Father in law USNA and senior serving officer- generationally back 4 generations. We KNOW what is being twisted by media aholes. Trumpanumpah, the schill for hills, in case you can’t figure that out. Wait till they get the hooks into Cruz.

[huldah1776]

Two different talents. Guess we know that someone who uses the hands on approach to surgery won’t be good at ethics.

[BuckeyeTexan]

Yes, he used the words “full scholarship.”

West Point does not offer scholarships. Acceptance is inherently a full ride.

Candidates are first nominated. If the candidate applies and is accepted, the candidate is formally offered an appointment, which is inherently a full ride.

No, Carson did not apply to West Point.

[FreeReign]

It’s a lie and you gullible racists believe it. On rush it was detailed that as a 17 yo honor ROTC student He had a meal with the general and understood the offer was made for a scholarship at ( a full free ride) West Point

More likely just partisan and gullible. Calling them racist is going over the top.

[FourtySeven]

Ok thanks. This does at least independently verify the use of the word “scholarship”. That’s bad for Carson, yes. Unless he comes out and says “I shouldn’t have used the word ‘scholarship’, rather I should have said ‘nomination’ or ‘recommendation’, in reference to what Gen Westmoreland offered to me”. Or some such. But even that wouldn’t repair most of the damage (it would show his ignorance of West Point in particular and the military in general and his apparent willingness to exaggerate personal details).

So thanks again. I hope his supporters see the light and go to Cruz.

[MamaB]

I deeply admire what he did with his life. I never thought he was presidential in any way. I wonder why he ran. Whose idea was it? Had he ever mentioned it before this?

[tennmountainman]

I can give some personal thoughts as my older brother earned an “appointment” to West Point about the same time frame as Carson’s
story.

First, the term “scholarship” is a term that has NEVER been used.
Not 40 years ago. Not 100 years ago and not today.

The term “appointment” is what has always been used.

2nd. There is no fast tracking with an appointment. All appointments
get an intensive background check.

The fact that Carson did not even know or use the proper term leads
me to believe that Carson’s story is bogus especially meeting Westmoreland.

[dragnet2]

Yeah and according to the poster, this whole thing was done by POLITICO to “Help Trump”.

As if POLITICO is a Trump ally or as if POLITICO is supporting Trump for President.

If anyone believes that, they’ll believe anything.

[kaehurowing]

So they can do this and no one seems to be able to find any of Obama’s school records, from Punahou through Harvard Law?

[Amntn]

"It's a lie and you gullible racists believe it."

Wow. That is one thing I have never been called before except by democrats and obama generally speaking.

[Eddie01]

Did Ben do any Jello commercials by chance?...