US Republican Ben Carson claims benefits from Muslim criticism

[webfact]

Republican Ben Carson claims benefits from Muslim criticism
STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican White House contender Ben Carson shook off growing criticism and refused Monday to back off his weekend charge that a Muslim shouldn't be elected as U.S. president.

The intensifying political fallout is a distraction at least as the retired neurosurgeon tries to capitalize on recent momentum in the unruly Republican presidential race. But it also highlights a sentiment among voters in both parties who agree with Carson's reluctance to elect a Muslim to the nation's highest office.

Carson's campaign reported strong fundraising and more than 100,000 new Facebook friends in the 24 hours after he told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, "I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation."

His campaign manager Barry Bennett told The Associated Press on Monday: "While the left wing is huffing and puffing over it, Republican primary voters are with us at least 80-20."

"People in Iowa particularly, are like, 'Yeah! We're not going to vote for a Muslim either," Bennett said. "I don't mind the hubbub. It's not hurting us, that's for sure."

Carson, a devout Christian, is running just behind businessman Donald Trump among Republican voters in Iowa, whose caucuses next February will kick off the state-by-state nominating contests. Carson is drawing support among the large bloc of socially conservative evangelicals in the Midwestern state.

The head of the nation's largest Muslim advocacy group called on Carson to drop out of the 2016 presidential contest during a Capitol Hill press conference on Monday, declaring him "unfit to lead because his views are in contradiction with the United States Constitution."

"Not long ago, some people thought that a Catholic cannot be a president, an African-American cannot be a president," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic relations. "They were wrong then, and they are wrong now." He cited Article 6 in the Constitution, which states, "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

At least one Republican joined a chorus of Democrats condemning Carson's statement.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that the comment "shows that Dr. Carson is not ready to be commander in chief." The leading Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton, addressed the issue Monday on Twitter: "Can a Muslim be President of the United States of America? In a word: Yes. Now let's move on."

While the law is clear, the politics of Muslim culture in America are not. Fourteen years after Islamic extremists executed the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history, a suspicious stance resonates with some voters despite the fact that — as Democratic Sen. Harry Reid put it Monday — Muslims "teach in our schools, fight in our military and serve in Congress."

The U.S. Muslim population is growing, according to a May survey by the Pew Research Center, which found the group represented just under 1 percent of the U.S. population.

A June Gallup poll found that 54 percent of Republicans would not vote for a well-qualified Muslim nominee from their own party; 39 percent of independents and 27 percent of Democrats said the same.

"Carson is not going to lose any votes in a GOP primary with those comments," said Republican strategist John Feehery. "He could probably gain a few."

Indeed, conservatives have repeatedly embraced anti-Muslim sentiment in recent years.

Nineteen states introduced legislation in 2015 to restrict the use of foreign law in state courts, Republican-backed steps largely designed to block the influence of Sharia — the legal framework that regulates many aspects of life based on the Quran and Islamic tradition in some Muslim countries. Nine states have already implemented such laws, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

And conservatives have consistently tried to link President Barack Obama to Islam throughout his presidency..

Republican front-runner Donald Trump declined last week to correct a voter at a campaign event who inaccurately stated that Obama is a Muslim. For Trump, the election of a Muslim president was "something that could happen. Would I be comfortable? I don't know if we have to address it right now."

Carson's campaign has no plans to back down from the weekend comments as he returns to the campaign trail on Tuesday.

Asked whether Carson would apologize for offending Muslims, Bennett did not hesitate.

"Good Lord, no," he said.
___

AP News Survey Specialist Emily Swanson contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-09-22

[ezzra]

That maybe very well so, but I think that the presidency of Mr Obama has ruined any chances of another black guy

to become a president in the near future, as nice as Mr Carson is, most people in the US, and black people in

particular, who are disillusioned and disappointed from Obama premise to be the saviour of the black people,

[Emster23]

Obama didn't run as savior of black people. If he had, he would have lost. He ran to be President of all Americans. I read 38% of Americans demonstrated their intolerance by saying Muslim shouldn't be President. Almost as bad as being atheist. What this whole flap demonstrates is that many of the Republican candidates have no understanding or respect for US Constitution. Besides separation of church and state in Bill of Rights, Article 6 says there shall be no religious test to hold office (quite common in states prior to ratification). These sorts of demagogues are quite dangerous to the US and the world. I'm sure many Germans thought that clown Hitler could never come to power, but he did. Too many Americans these days see politics as entertainment along lines of professional wrestling.

[CMBob]

Ben Carson, at times, seems like an extremely bright guy who might be a fresh and needed outsider to the political system; however, he as also said some incredibly stupid things in the last several months that ought to make anyone question what the hell is going on in/with his brain. Even if he personally harbors a belief that a Muslim shouldn't be president (a totally boneheaded concept....I'd actually prefer to have an atheist in charge so there would be a more complete separation of church and state), he ought to be intelligent enough to know not to say it. Although more intelligent than Jesse Ventura, he's beginning to sound an awful lot like him.

P.S. After writing the above, I googled Carson to accurately pick up some of his prior alien comments (one of which is his theory that guys become gay by going to prison)...but, instead see The New Yorker magazine has an article out today entitled: "Ben Carson Shattering Stereotype About Brain Surgeons Being Smart."

[spidermike007]

It's too bad. He seemed like the only real voice of reason of the candidates for awhile. Now, he is reverting to the Trump style hatred and race baiting. I always thought brain surgeons needed to be smart too.

[Pinot]

Dr. Ben has nothing to offer the American people. Not a politician, no ideas for the problems Americans except the usual no regulations, help the rich, screw the poor. The kind of knuckle headed talk gets the tea party base wet.

No new ideas, no policies, what do you have left? Spread fear of Muslims. It motivates the base. They love it.

There is no chance of this guy ever being elected POTUS. Or any of the other jokers for that matter.

Here's another of those rare breeds, Republican black man. Clarence Thomas is the other one. Like Thomas, Carson gets up every morning and is disgusted by what he sees in the mirror.

[whybother]

Is there a Muslim running for President? If not, why is this even being talked about?

[ThaiEddie]

Dr. Carson is correct.

His words are being twisted. I am not saying it is easy for him to say it, but It is true.

[ThaiEddie]

Is there a Muslim running for President? If not, why is this even being talked about?

It is being talked about because our media outlets are irresponsible. The media will ask questions of "rating quality" rather than those of true substance.

[Harsh Jones]

That maybe very well so, but I think that the presidency of Mr Obama has ruined any chances of another black guy

to become a president in the near future, as nice as Mr Carson is, most people in the US, and black people in

particular, who are disillusioned and disappointed from Obama premise to be the saviour of the black people,

Black people as you put it, has nothing to do with this topic. Another black person could easily become president.

As for the topic, yes I think Ben Carson is right. Islam is an ideology that should be rejected. Civilized people do not like it and its good to see a presidential candidate have the character to stand up to Islam instead of cower to it in the name of political correctness.

[Harsh Jones]

Obama didn't run as savior of black people. If he had, he would have lost. He ran to be President of all Americans. I read 38% of Americans demonstrated their intolerance by saying Muslim shouldn't be President. Almost as bad as being atheist. What this whole flap demonstrates is that many of the Republican candidates have no understanding or respect for US Constitution. Besides separation of church and state in Bill of Rights, Article 6 says there shall be no religious test to hold office (quite common in states prior to ratification). These sorts of demagogues are quite dangerous to the US and the world. I'm sure many Germans thought that clown Hitler could never come to power, but he did. Too many Americans these days see politics as entertainment along lines of professional wrestling.

Problem with your logic or lack there of, is that Islam is not a religion. Some people happen to practice it as a religion but that does not make it a religion.

It is an ideology. Islam has its own banking, its own courts, its own laws ect.

Does Buddhism have its own laws, courts and banking system that it is trying to wedge into secular western societies ? NOPE

[Steely Dan]

Dr. Carson is correct.

His words are being twisted. I am not saying it is easy for him to say it, but It is true.Carson Said.jpg

Indeed what can be controversial in stating Sharia law is totally incompatible with the U.S constitution or indeed with secular democracy? Any faux outrage is IMHO explicitly intended to stop people considering such matters.

[Berkshire]

It's too bad. He seemed like the only real voice of reason of the candidates for awhile. Now, he is reverting to the Trump style hatred and race baiting. I always thought brain surgeons needed to be smart too.

Maybe Carson can learn from Trump....

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/19/politics/donald-trump-muslims-controversy/

[Chicog]

Dr. Carson is correct.

His words are being twisted. I am not saying it is easy for him to say it, but It is true.Carson Said.jpg

Indeed what can be controversial in stating Sharia law is totally incompatible with the U.S constitution or indeed with secular democracy? Any faux outrage is IMHO explicitly intended to stop people considering such matters.

He's spot on:

“Muslims feel that their religion is very much a part of your public life and what you do as a public official, and that’s inconsistent with our principles and our Constitution.”

If you replace the word "Muslims" with "Christians" it fits Kim Davis like a glove.

[chuckd]

Obama didn't run as savior of black people. If he had, he would have lost. He ran to be President of all Americans. I read 38% of Americans demonstrated their intolerance by saying Muslim shouldn't be President. Almost as bad as being atheist. What this whole flap demonstrates is that many of the Republican candidates have no understanding or respect for US Constitution. Besides separation of church and state in Bill of Rights, Article 6 says there shall be no religious test to hold office (quite common in states prior to ratification). These sorts of demagogues are quite dangerous to the US and the world. I'm sure many Germans thought that clown Hitler could never come to power, but he did. Too many Americans these days see politics as entertainment along lines of professional wrestling.

Call me silly, but where in any of the comments made by Dr. Carson is he calling for a "religious test" of any sort.

He is simply voicing his opinion as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.

[55Jay]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUJvUDdtp8w

[Balance]

It's too bad. He seemed like the only real voice of reason of the candidates for awhile. Now, he is reverting to the Trump style hatred and race baiting. I always thought brain surgeons needed to be smart too.

Not really. They need a decent memory and rock solid hands.