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 ...
I referred to Carson as Benny Hill because every nutty thing I learned about him this week brings the crazy Benny Hill music to my head. But at least Benny Hill was funny, Carson is just a weirdo. The only reason he was anything in this race is because the MSM was beating the bushes for ANYBODY that would be competition for Trump.
well gop voters...what say you now about the “brilliant” dr. ben, still love him?
If Trump camp is smart, they’ll not utter a thing.
But I suspect Trump (or as somebody pointed out his underlings) couldn’t help kicking the wounded dog.
Shades of Biden in 1988 : )
We all know Obama was conceived because of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march.
Neil Kinnoch redux : )
People have just been mis-quoting him on that - he actually said brain storage (as in pharaos' brains)...;-)
All the volumes and volumes of stuff on Obama, and tons of stuff we still don't know about. . and they find this on Carson. . I agree it's a negative, but can you imagine, if they really dug like they did Carson, the Palin emails, etc, what we would find? He wouldn't have even been considered for nomination in 2008. .
Why the F would you lie about that?
It is so easily checked.
You shouldn’t lie anyway. But this type of lying is just an ego boost.
This is a fatal character flaw.
Even cheating on your wife and making up and living right for 20 years is recoverable.
This is not.
now it becomes: “what else has he lied about ?”
OK.. he’s toast. That one won’t be overcome or explained away.
Well now he might get Brian Williams' vote.
I thought that only a Congressman, or Senator, could offer appointment to the military academies.
How does this lie compare to with Hillary’s?
I think Ben is done. But, the republicans should POUND this. I bet we see Sanders it.
This doesn’t look good for the doctor.
What a pathetic hit piece. Anyone admitted to West Point gets a full ride. Anyone admitted must first be nominated by a Congressman or prominent military official. It is highly likely that Westmoreland and others at said banquet offered to nominate Carson because he was the top ROTC cadet in Detroit at the time.
You can’t survive something like this.
The man is a brain surgeon, that’s an extraordinary accomplishment, why would he feel the need to lie to make himself look good?
Carson’s campaign team should have done due diligence on his resume! Why didn’t they check these claims out before?
They should have known that any conservative black republican would be closely scrutinized!
I already had doubts about him, but this borders on Stolen Valor. And to think he’s been telling this lie for years and years. I guess West Point is not like Disney, they don’t check out every single misuse of their corporate name. Ben!! Now you wear the Scarlet Letter of the obvious Liar.
My older brother received an appointment to West Point and graduated,
as well, back about that same time frame.
It all started with a U.S. Senator from Mississippi.
It is a great honor to earn an appointment to West Point.
Carson dishonors those select few who are appointed each year.
Good riddance to Carson.
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