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US PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE Ben Carson’s campaign has acknowledged that the Republican frontrunner’s account of applying and being admitted to the prestigious US Military Academy at West Point is not true, Politico is reporting.
Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, has made West Point a compelling part of his personal narrative, writing about it in his autobiography, ‘Gifted Hands’.
In that account, he said he was “offered a full scholarship” to the academy, the US Army’s premier school for prospective officers.
But West Point told Politico it had no record of Carson applying or being offered admission. A West Point education is free for all its students, so there are no scholarships per se.
“In 1969, those who would have completed the entire process would have received their acceptance letters from the Army Adjutant General,” Theresa Brinkerhoff, an academy spokeswoman, told Politico, adding that West Point had no record of Carson even beginning the application process.
If he chose to pursue (the application process) then we would have records indicating such.
Politico said that when Carson’s campaign was presented with the evidence, it conceded the story was false.
“Dr. Carson was the top ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) student in the city of Detroit,” campaign manager Barry Bennett told Politico in an email.
“He was introduced to folks from West Point by his ROTC Supervisors,” Bennett added.
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.
The acknowledgement came as Carson, who is running neck and neck with Donald Trump in Republican primary polling, has faced questions about his past, including his own descriptions of his violent adolescence in Detroit.
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What?! A politician lying?!
This is the same guy who just recently had a theory that the pyramids were Joseph’s store houses. Plonker
He could use the Hilary Clinton excuse – just say he “misspoke”
He should just call it a turn of phrase.
How embarrassing – just like Bertie ‘The Accountant’ and Pearse Doherty ‘The Engineer’.
The truth eventually catches up with you. Never embellish your CV.
Add Gerry ‘never-was-in-the-IRA’ Adams to your list @onetruevoice! Past catching up on politicians looking for office… ahem…
A bit like the army guarding ATMs too , one true voice .
The GOP/Republican Party in USA , are the equivalent of FF / FG here – Mostly a shower of Conservative Rightwing Cowboys .
Wouldn’t it be interesting, to dig deeper into the CV’s of our TD’s and Government Ministers too?
Ya’ll get the hell outta my Country ya hear!! *spits chewing tobacco in cup *
It’s not what’s on their CVs you should be worried about, it’s what’s not. Some TDs are murderers, but apparently it was totally necessary as there was no other way.
Reminds me of Bertie Aherne’s story about graduating from the London School Of Economics.
I wish somebody like frank underwood ran
I wish somebody like Jed Bartlett ran.
I wish somebody like Bobby or John Fitzgerald Kennedy would run but unfortunately no politician like either of them seems to exist bar Sanders.
He’s in good company as Hilary Clinton claimed she was shot at in Bosnia and admitted she lied through her teeth too. Would still like to see this guy take Trump out of the running.
Unfortunately, I think Donald Trump, by being Trump, ha likely secured the presidency for Clinton. I’d actually prefer republicans in power to Clinton.
“This guy” as you put it, is a conservative, religious bigot who believes the earth is only 6000 years old!
Bet you he doesn’t believe it he’s playing to an audience!
So he is only lying about being an idiot? Great.
Bernie Sanders gonna trounce Clinton.
He may have outlandish views but he is certainly not an idiot.
Oh contraire! He is the epitome of an idiot.
Bigot? How so?
Enjoy: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/24/opinion/charles-blow-the-soft-bigotry-of-ben-carson.html?_r=0
I say that big talk’s worth doodly-squat. Now, them poultices be laced with feathermoss and mustard root. Mind you drop water on ‘em occasional and keep ‘em damp.
Thanks Granny Hawkins
So it turns out the idiot who believes the world is 10,000 years old is also a liar.
6,000
I want our candidates to declare their net worth!
?
Journal made a boooo Boo it’s now known the article on Dr Carson by politico was an intentional hatchet job full of lies. He has been on the Sean hannity radio show clarifying it all. Journal better publish the truth now!!!!
Jimmy, you are either joking in which case, brilliant. Or you are a pure arse in which case you are also brilliant.
I tend however to think, you do not taste of sweets.
‘Jimmy Haribo’ – I’m still laughing at your remarks – you say that he denied it on The Sean Hannity Show ?
Sean Hannity has zero credibility or veracity, in mainstream respectable journalism – Even in USA !!!
The man comes across a disaster waiting to happen – There are some collection of Looloos in The GOP / Republican Party there !
Eddie, you also share in that amazing lack of zero credibility. That is here, in Ireland by the way.
Didn’t read back the way I meant it. Will take what’s coming.
Hmmm Enda’s atm story comes to mind..
This story is a lie. Carson never applied to West Point. Fabrication of the left media. So sad that they claim to be journalists.
He (Carson) claimed in his autobiography (book written by some unknown hack) that he was offered “a full scholarship to West Point” which was untrue (lie) and to add embarrassment; West Point never charges for tuition. He lied and he was caught out and will be again like all liars.
Hey huey, seems Larry was right in calling you full of the almighty shit.
Here’s the truth of the matter – http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2015/November/Ben-Carson-Speaks-Out-West-Point-Flap/?cpid=CC1511061
What an eejit, reminds me of Bush and him talking to God???
White house hopeful. SURE SO AM I.
have your say