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 ...
Helps Trump. Helps Cruz. Hurts Carson. I don’t see how it helps Rubio, but perhaps POLITICO thinks that it does.
And this is important, why? You are aware that appointments can be “fronted” to individuals by military leadership. You know- the ones with congressional connections (which Westmoreland certainly was, especially in Detroit, the Detroit of that era being a rather different place than now). So, what Carson said, that he was “offerred” was just that, and dealt with in just that way by a person who wanted to go to Harvard and learn to fix neurological brain disorders— and was a liberal at that time, not wanting to be shivvied into Vietnam combat and cannon fodder. In 1970 Vietnam era the political pressure was on the generals to find qualified candidates for leadership.
Ever hear of Colin Powell, the disappointing perfumed prince of affirmative Bush action who is anything but who he purported to be. So be it. Perhaps none of this serves your short-time FR purpose or your politics. Both need maturing and nuance.
It’s matter of terms. ROTC scholarships have many of the same requirements that are put upon an academy cadet with hardly any of the perks. There still a minimum of four years commitment to service as well as maintaining scholarship and moral/ethical standards. The bottom line is that is still a scholarship or reimbursement in kind for services rendered and standards maintained. Just a difference in terms used. As far as the grueling process goes, I knew students who applied in high school. It did involve a lot of paperwork, amassing of recommendations and proof of both scholarship and above board personal traits.
Applying for scholarships can be just as demanding for a full-ride with similar demands to maintain standing and reevaluation on a yearly basis.
My appointment offer, on the other hand, involved the same types of demands that had to be shown over a period of months or years.
#38.This is POLITICO working hard to find a story to help Trump stop Carson.
You clearly implied and suggested the motive of this POLITICO piece was to aid Trump to help Trump destroy Carson.
You quickly jumped in to tie or connect Trump to these Politico allegations against Carson.
We don’t need more big sloppy egos in power.
Why lie? It’s not like he hadn’t done enough with his life. I don’t get this guy.
Good question.
To help Trump and to hurt Carson in the horse race.
It's about splitting the so-called outsider vote.
Carson supposedly has the lead.
POLITICOs motives are hardly genuine.
You’re so FOS. In #38 You clearly suggested POLITICO is an ally of Trump and POLITICO did this to help Trump destroy Carson.
Ya can’t put the bullet back in the barrel FreeReign.
It’s bull shit.
“MIGHT?”
You use the word “might” in your defense of Carson. Well, did he or didn’t he actually do the deed?
There is a hell of a difference between “might” and “did.”
“Did” is fact and “might” is simple conjure. The word “might” is a very poor descriptor of anything....period!
POLITICO lied it turns out.
Wait you will see.
I understand your point...
Hopefully, we will discover how this story germinated. We do know that Politico is often used by Republicans to get a story out...or so it seems, since the 2012 election.
I am content to wait and see...If this was instigated by a repub campaign, it could have been nearly anyone..
Another interesting factoid is that the release of this bs occurred on a Friday dump day...
Politico lying or not had nothing to do with my comments. Zip.
I was telling everyone just picked the last post.
God bless.
My only comments here were to someone alleging Politico was motivated to do this to help Trump destroy Carson.
I’m not going to stand by for that.
Btw, it’s been Trump who’s very publicly broadcasted to the world it’s the U.S. media who’s putting out most of the lies and BS. In fact he does that at every single campaign stop.
Take care.
He did not tell a deliberate lie. Period.
Politico took a passage from his book and twisted the meaning. Get the book and inform yourself.
Carson was in the ROTC and he had the good fortune to meet General Westmoreland. During a dinner of medal of honor winners Westmoreland offered Carson a chance to go to Westpoint.
That is it.
From that Politico implied that he said he went to Westpoint and that he applied to go there when no such thing was said by Carson. This is a total hit piece. It is very,very obvious and a man of Carson’s stature should be given every leeway to explain himself which he is doing profusely.
This comes from Politico. That says it all.
Read the book before you make accusations. This is so ridiculous and transparent!
I do not want Cason to become the president. I will not vote for him. I want Carson out of the race.
BUT, THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL that I would believe ANYTHING coming from Politico.
That Freepers read and instantly believe a Politico piece without a pause is sad indeed.
Since 7/3/2013 your forum participation has been largely... posting articles, and rarely ever commenting. So, this is a job of yours? Help us out, here. FR has terms of use.
I have my favorite horse in this race, but I can see a total fabricated hit piece when I see one. This is absolutely absurd. I would stand up for any candidate. Carson does not deserve this at all. This is awful.
I heard CNN interview him about this this morning, and Carson just ripped the reporter’s head off in an awesome way. I can also tell you that the candidates picked this up from Trump who was the first to lay into the media with no restraints.
Carson just slapped this reporter and she was speechless. He did the right thing and completely put these stupid accusations to rest and they are beyond stupid.
Politico as Trump says is going out of business.
I have tremendous admiration for Carson for not hiding behind the whole racist thing and standing up to the media and pounding them into the ground. He is quite a man.
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