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 these facts, Carson’s campaign conceded the story was false.
I have no idea how *anyone* can spin these facts in a way that benefits the temporary frontrunner. Even the simple-minded evangelical dolts who support him are bound to find this story troublesome. It’s increasingly looking like Carson’s memoir should be moved to the fiction shelves. The whole “I am a redeemed street thug” story seems to be imploding as well.
I’ve been expecting a Carson collapse. It’s what happens during the silly season before votes are actually cast. His campaign has gone from running on faith to running out of faith.
The real question is who benefits from Carson and the Insult Comedian’s woes? I think it’s Ted Cruz who is well positioned to pick up the biblethumper vote from Carson and the asshole vote from Trump. Cruz has played a sly and devious game during the silly season by attacking neither Trump nor Carson. I didn’t know that Senator Blow Torch had it in him.
In the end, Dr. Carson is looking more and more like these guys:
