Ben Carson admits making up West Point scholarship: report

[Human101948]

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson's campaign admitted Friday that the former neurosurgeon fabricated a story about applying to and being accepted at West Point. Carson's campaign made the admission in response to an inquiry from Politico. West Point has no record of Carson applying for admission, Politico said. In Carson's book "Gifted Hands," he says he got a "full scholarship" to the military academy.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ben-carson-admits-making-up-west-point-scholarship-report-2015-11-06

The beginning of the end for Dr. Ben Carson.

[jpak]

1. A Loon and a Liar

yup

[Photographer]

3. Pluss 1000.

[yeoman6987]

10. It's clear he wants out

He is clearly sabatoging his own campaign. He probably ran to get awareness for his book and never thought he'd get this far.

[smirkymonkey]

15. That's what I'm thinking.

Nobody who really wants to win can be this clueless.

[Hortensis]

42. I'm sure he didn't think he'd get this far. He's a flake,

but he's not stupid. Sell some books, pump up those speaking fees.

He's not sabotaging himself, he's a victim of his adoring victims who kept him in the spotlight too long.

[Chemisse]

97. I think you're exactly right.

Perhaps he didn't count on the RW populace to be so stupid as to actually fall for his line of crap.

[Snotcicles]

83. Picking that piece of work Armstrong Williams for his

campaign manager shows us he is a few cards shy of a full deck.

[Wellstone ruled]

45. Poor Basturd is trapped by his own lies.

Kiss your butt good bye Doc!

[JHB]

56. I don't think it's that, more a case of...

...old embellished stories that he told over and over again -- a more dramatic "come to Jesus" moment, inflating the details of an encounter with A Household Name, etc. -- finally running into people inclined to check their veracity and find it wanting.

[ToxMarz]

57. So he sabotaged his 2015 campaign back in 2009 when he wrote the book.

[SummerSnow]

72. I totally agree with you

[snooper2]

19. he reminds me of the drunk guy at the bar making up stories to sound cool

even the way he talks he sounds drunk...

maybe he is LOL? Somebody test that man!

[bulloney]

65. "Gifted Imagination" would be a better title for the book.

Now, watch his poll numbers go up.

[bigwillq]

2. Congrats on 1,000 posts!

Carson is a loon.

[Human101948]

5. Thanks!

And censored only four times!

[Goblinmonger]

4. Stick a fork in Ben Carson

because he's done.

[Agnosticsherbet]

6. I think the Christitian Right will ignore this, as they have a history of ignoring stuff because God

forgives.

The rest of the Republican electorate, not so much.

Trump is going to have a field day.

[Bucky]

7. But he's still standing by his account of being the first teenager on the moon, right?

His account of holding the prayer vigil at Tranquility Bay is too spiritually inspiring to not be true.

[MohRokTah]

8. So will Rubio be the next flavor of the month?

Whoever is next won't last long.

[yeoman6987]

11. I hope he is more then favor of the month. I want him to get the nom.

Trump is too dangerous. Rubio is easier to beat.

[NewJeffCT]

17. You think so?

Rubio is a gifted speaker who has an inspiring background as a child of immigrants rising up from humble beginnings. The media will paint him as the Hispanic version of Obama - good speaker and first term senator.

Once the GOP field narrows, Trump will become more of a target and all of his wild and controversial statements from the past will start adding up and turning more and more people off to him - especially women and anybody that is not white.

I'd say that in the long run, Kasich and Rubio are threats to Clinton or Sanders. The others, not so much. Of course, with Koch, Adelson and others financially backing them, most GOP candidates are threats.

[StevieM]

18. Excellent point. The Koch brothers may spend a billion dollars this time, for all we know. (eom)

[NewJeffCT]

30. I think the Koch brothers

have already pledged at least $800 million or some astronomical amount. Couple that with all the other GOP sugar daddies (Adelson, Scaife, etc), and they have a huge monetary advantage.

I've said for a few years now, the only way to get them out of politics will be if there is ever somebody as rich as Bill Gates or Warren Buffet that is an active liberal political donor and pledges to outspend the GOP. All of a sudden, you'll see Republicans suddenly falling all over themselves to ban outside money from federal and state elections.

[Goblinmonger]

23. I agree. Kasich/Rubio is a scary combo.

Part of me still feels Bush will get the nomination. If that happens, it's not Rubio on the ticket.

You put hundreds of millions behind Kasich/Rubio, and it's a contest.

[underpants]

33. Yep Ohio/Florida

Kasich is bad news put they can cover for him as "experienced in these times of grave danger". I just don't see Rubio in the top spot. I'm not one for "looking Presidential " but the media has people so spooked that he just looks like a kid.

[Goblinmonger]

35. Rubio is too young to be the top spot.

Kasich is a little crazy, but he can appeal to moderate Dems.

Ohio/Florida and Hispanic vote. Oy.

[underpants]

40. We are all skipping over Cruz

But then he doesn't sell well to the Gen Public to my eye and he is so despised in his own party they may just maneuver him out anyway.

[spooky3]

86. Kasich will not appeal to moderate Dems once his record

Becomes well-known. He is not even a moderate Republican.

I agree with those who believe that a ham sandwich is formidable with Koch, Adelson, etc., money behind it.

[B Calm]

25. If they go Rubio, I'm thinking Clinton will pick Castro as her VP.

[NewJeffCT]

26. I think Castro is a strong possibility

no matter who the GOP picks. I like him a lot.

[B Calm]

29. Me too!

[chillfactor]

32. I certainly hope so...

Castro would be my number one pick to be on the ticket...besides he would counter Rubio if Rubio ends up on the rethug ticket. And Castro is much more intelligent and charismatic then Rubio.

[underpants]

41. I think that's a wise move regardless of the Repubs n/t

[Kelvin Mace]

31. I don't find him particularly articulate

and the media might paint his as "Hispanic Obama", but the Hispanic/Latino community view him as radioactive, so I don't see how that helps him.

[B Calm]

76. I guess everybody is entitled to an opinion,

I just don't agree with it.

[Kelvin Mace]

77. I ran into many people who told me how

charming Bush the Lesser was. I never saw it.

[underpants]

38. Funny just the other day I was thinking - is it really going winnow down to Trump?

I thought Paul was their best shot (Ky election laws & supremacy ties aside).

Without going thru the whole list I guess Kasich/Rubio - Ohio/Florida- is their best but that is going to require mountains to be moved according to the current polls.

Super Tuesday is going to decide everything in both parties. Who sells in their party in the "SEC Primary".

[NightWatcher]

9. It's not a lie, but a parable just like his Popeyes robbery story

I'll say it again, Republicanism is a mental illness and should be treated as such.

[corkhead]

12. not as crazy as the Joseph storing grain in the pyramids theory

http://wonkette.com/595663/surprise-dr-ben-carsons-latest-pyramid-scheme-involves-actual-pyramids

[MowCowWhoHow III]

13. Bye Ben

[Truprogressive85]

14. nutjobs wont care

look at Bush Texas national air guard scandal

[Goblinmonger]

21. Yeah, but Bush denied that.

Carson's camp admitted it.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

102. no. they didn't admit it.

Last night and today the Breitbarts and all are going after CNN, Politico and all media outlets that reported about his self proclaimed violent past and the West Point "scholarship".

http://mediamatters.org/research/2015/11/06/right-wing-media-are-furious-that-cnn-vetted-be/206677

[grasswire]

16. what else is he lying about?

Obviously he has no moral compass.

[B Calm]

20. Wow, this guy is out there! Scary

knowing that there are so many dumb asses out there who are ready to vote for him.

[hay rick]

22. Wow.

I expect his poll numbers to go through the roof now. Seriously, if this doesn't scuttle his campaign, the Republican base is even more demented than I could have imagined.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

24. Brian Williams should interview him.

[chillfactor]

27. He lied?

Oh dear! Just another lying rethug...surprise. surprise! NOT!

[Kelvin Mace]

28. It will be interesting to see how his "true believers" deal with it

Their capacity for self-delusion is breathtaking.

[underpants]

43. Yes it will be. Uh-oh THE top story on foxnews.com

http://m.foxnews.com/

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

61. Clearly the elite liberal media is trying to tear down their hero

Watch his poll numbers go up.

I wonder if challenging him on his provable lies will be considered a "gotcha" question at the debate?

[ThoughtCriminal]

95. Already seen their spin on Facebook

The predictable "It's Another Media Hit Job." whining.

http://www.dailywire.com/news/960/no-ben-carson-didnt-lie-about-west-point-its-ben-shapiro

Lame and nonsensical. Somehow in their universe, General Westmoreland telling him he should apply to West Point means exactly the same thing as being offered a full scholarship.

[Babel_17]

34. Well, since his party isn't about to close ranks behind him, he looks done

Just being tied for the lead in the number of supporters in the Republican primary isn't going to help in creating a narrative big enough to deal with this incident, and others like it.

Ask Jeb! about what happens when you're consistently the fodder for derogatory jokes by comics and commentators. Or Governor Perry.

He can coast on his numbers but imo he's peaked, and will start leaking support. Though of course, given his competition, he actually could survive to be the most popular person running. Generally, his opponents that aren't gaffe prone are running very low in the polls, and not currently real contenders. (Pataki and Kasich come to mind, though I think Pataki has to be thinking about dropping out)

[Bad Thoughts]

36. Isn't West Point free?

I don't believe that cadets have to pay for tuition, fees, room or board. They get a monthly stipend.

[Doc Holliday]

44. Don't know about that part....

....but I was under the impression that you had to be recommended by a Congress-critter to go to any of our military academies. I'm pretty sure you don't just win a scholarship and go, although I might be wrong.

[Bad Thoughts]

47. It requires sponsrship, yes

Once there, the education, I believe, is given without charge. Of course, one must promise to serve after graduation, perhaps five years. Even so, it is definitely one of the best deals in higher education.

[Brother Buzz]

49. Yes it's a free ride*, but it's still considered a scholarship

* The free ride includes a mandatory six year hitch in the Army after graduation

[SheilaT]

70. Bingo. Anyone who knows anything at all

about the service academies knows that they are free, unless you leave after the first year, I believe. If you return after that, then quit, you're on the hook for some sort of repayment.

Obviously, Ben the Idiot never knew the first thing about the academies.

[Historic NY]

78. It is not free you must pay back with 5 yrs service....

This idiot the Supt doesn't offer a scholorship, one must get your congressman to sponsor you. If he was a football player perhaps there would be some perks offered but they still must complete 5 yrs of service. "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." He would never fit in.


http://www.usma.edu/admissions/sitepages/apply_nominations.aspx

[former9thward]

106. West Point says it is a scholarship.

https://books.google.com/books?id=e14EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA153&dq=%22west%20point%22%20tuition%20scholarship&pg=PA153#v=onepage&q=%22west%20point%22%20tuition%20scholarship&f=false

This is an advertisement West Point put in Black Enterprise magazine. Note the word "scholarship" in the 2nd paragraph.

[Historic NY]

107. Free to the point, you have to give them 5yrs active & 3 reserve....

Upon graduation, you will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army and serve for five years on active duty (if you choose to depart the Army after five years, you will be required to serve three years in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR)). During your senior year, you’ll find out which specialized field, or “branch,” you will enter. Both the needs of the Army and your preferences will be considered.

http://www.usma.edu/admissions/sitepages/careers.aspx

[jmowreader]

79. West Point cadets are in the Army the whole time they're at the Academy

You are exactly right: all expenses are paid and they receive monthly pay.

[SomethingFishy]

94. YES! I cannot believe he thought he'd get away with this lie...

There are no "scholarships" to West Point. You need to pass all the tests in the top 3% and you need sponsorship of a Congressperson to get in. Not a General.

Watching the idiots on Fox trying to defend him is hilarious. All these fucking "patriots" have no idea how the military works.

[freebrew]

110. The cadets get paid...

as they are basically in the army.

It's not a scholarship, it's either an appointment from a congressman or senator.
OR if your parent was in the army and you qualify.

Not something that helps on a resume. Like saying you were accepted to some college.
Big deal... also not like it's a brain factory. You graduate with a degree in military science.

[kimbutgar]

37. There was a guy on Stephanie Miller this am from Mississippi defending him and saying us liburals

Are lying. I guess the churches in the south are pushing Carson as their candidate. Some smart investigative reporter should look into this and perhaps report it so the IRS has grounds to take away their tax free status.

[WestSeattle2]

39. Do you think his wife knew all these stories were BS, or is she

just now realizing that the man she thought she married, is simply a liar motivated by unbridled greed and ego?

[eppur_se_muova]

46. He's moving into Nixon territory now. nt

[EdwardBernays]

48. His campaign is now denying this

And saying Politico is "lying"

[Rex]

50. .

[Sheepshank]

51. the problem with padding a resume, putting it into book form and publishing it prior to elections

...he really is so stupid as to think others are not going to fact check? Well that's stupid!!!

[The_Casual_Observer]

52. Attending West Point implies a full scholarship. There is no cost involved.

Carson wouldn't know that. Carson is a sack of shit.

[gollygee]

53. Paul Ryan part II

Silly lies about stuff he doesn't have to lie about.

[spanone]

54. the doctor is out

[JCMach1]

55. Anyone else smell Rove on the media attacks on Carson...

Yes, he is batshite...

However, this seems a little too coordinated.

[riversedge]

58. Bush Says He Backs Carson on West Point Story

Bloomberg Politics ?@bpolitics 1m1 minute ago

Bush Says He Backs Carson on West Point Story http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/trackers/2015-11-06/bush-says-he-backs-carson-on-west-point-story …


3 minutes ago
Bush Says He Backs Carson on West Point Story

“If it’s between POLITICO and Ben Carson, I’m in the Ben Carson column,” GOP presidental candidate Jeb Bush says on Fox Business, according to spokesman Tim Miller. Related stories:

[NCjack]

67. "I can fix it" man certifies Ben. The correct answer is

"I don't know -- take that up with Ben."

[Gore1FL]

59. I wonder what one would do with the scholorship to attend a free university...

What a dumbass.

[wolfie001]

60. Buffoon, grifter, liar

No wonder he's in the lead!!!

[90-percent]

62. The Dr. is using a modern version of THE BIG LIE

Only now I think the commonly used term is THE BIG MIS-REMEMBERING.

-90% Jimmy

[SoCalMusicLover]

63. I Don't Understand Why Everyone Thinks He's Done Now

He fits right in with the repub candidates as a LIAR.

He'll probably gain in the polls.

[spooky3]

87. Agreed. Romney could hardly finish a sentence w/o lying;

Lying is considered an important skill among the Repub base and donors.

[yellowcanine]

64. It takes two gifted hands to handle a Whopper.

[spooky3]

89. Lol!

[patsimp]

66. Is this buffoon toast yet?

[NCjack]

68. No. But there is now competition for being the biggest joke in the clown car. /nt

[mfcorey1]

69. Dr. Carson discovered America! This man needs to be evaluated in a psyche ward!

[SummerSnow]

71. Oh my, he is just going on a lying rant

[mrmpa]

73. Shit everyone accepted to the USMA gets a "full scholarship" + a monthly stipend. Duh. eom

[CanonRay]

74. First of many lies he'll get caught in.

This man has no business running for dog catcher.

[Paper Roses]

75. This guy is something else. Wish he would go away. Quickly!

Slurred speech., crazy ideas and now ---lies? What makes him think that he is qualified to head this country. Good grief, I think he is the worst of the republican lot. At least Trump keeps your attention, laughable or not.

What are Carlson supporters thinking?

[Helen Borg]

80. In short...

All he does is he makes up shit...

[Fritz Walter]

81. Is the term "chicken hawk" hyphenated?

He was in ROTC in the late 60's, early 70's.
Vietnam war was underway.
Despite his involvement with ROTC, actually signing up, picking up a weapon and manning a post in a combat situation -- or even going to West Point -- just didn't fit into his plans.
Fast-forward to our current situation: he wants to be commander-in-chief.

Am I missing something here?

[Duppers]

82. As if lying makes a bit of difference to Republicans!

nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

84. Why Ben Carson's west point story made no sense

Why Ben Carson’s West Point scholarship claim made no sense from the beginning

____


The story held up until now. But in retrospect, it is clear that it doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. The process to getting into West Point requires applicants to obtain a nomination, most commonly from their congressman, senator or vice president of the United States. The secretary of the Army — an appointed civilian leader — also can nominate a student for consideration, but the service’s four-star chief of staff — Westmoreland from July 1968 through June 1972 — is not eligible to do so.

All of those kinds of nominations are considered congressional in nature. The other way to get consideration for admission is through what is known as a service-connected nomination, which has specific requirements. They include being the son or daughter of an individual who served at least eight years, died or became disabled while serving, or earned the Medal of Honor. Enlisted soldiers who obtained the endorsement of their commander to apply can also be considered.

Members of junior and senior ROTC programs also can apply, but must seek their nomination through their professor of military science. Carson said in his book that he was introduced to Westmoreland by his JROTC director following a Memorial Day parade, but makes no allusion to seeking a nomination of any kind. Politico also reported that Westmoreland wasn’t in Detroit, Carson’s hometown, in 1969 on Memorial Day, citing Army documents.

In addition to the criteria, Carson’s terminology about West Point is questionable. Carson said that he was offered a scholarship to attend, but the school doesn’t offer anything that it calls a scholarship. Rather, students are offered admission without tuition in exchange for serving their country when they graduate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/11/06/why-ben-carsons-west-point-scholarship-claim-made-no-sense-from-the-beginning/

[SwankyXomb]

104. Just to play Devil's Advocate

Yes, all that is true about how you get in to West Point, but if Westmoreland had made a few calls saying "I want this Carson kid at the Point," do you think accommodations wouldn't be made?

[NonMetro]

85. Ben's Not A Liar.

He just makes up stuff that isn't true.

[TeeYiYi]

88. All West Point Scholarship threads...

...need this video for posterity:

TYY

[DirkGently]

90. Just. Flat. Made it UP.

And he's also really angry CNN couldn't substantiate his claims of attacking his mother with a hammer or trying to stab his friend.

Because "liberal bias."

[prouddemfromaustin44]

91. I never thought of Carson as anything more than a conman and a snakeoil salesman

This news only reinforces my previous beliefs about this idiot. I really hope this torpedoes his chances of getting anywhere near the White House. God help us all if he somehow still manages to gets in....

[Spitfire of ATJ]

92. It would be funny if he made up the brain surgeon gig too....

We'll know if he next claims to have been a double naught spy.

[c588415]

93. frm. Rep Joe Wilson says "you a lie Ben"

[lonestarnot]

96. But he's still "going out to these book signings."

[Chemisse]

98. I don't think the West Point thing is a big deal.

It's a slight stretch on something he could have reasonably inferred.

What's REALLY disturbing are some of the other tales he's told. He's actually upset because people doubt his stories about being a child psychopath! What about his crazy armed robbery story that couldn't be verified?

[NCjack]

99. Ben, I admire you. You are the only lying GOP candidate to admit

to being a liar.

[niyad]

100. his base isn't going to care, will find some way to blame this on the "librul media"

[winstars]

101. He was born in 1951, why didn't he go to Viet Nam??? nt

[Egnever]

103. Wait what?

Didn't he just do a full press interview explaining how he didn't make it up?

[Tab]

105. I can't fault Ben Carson overly much on this one

although by comparison he's making me think Donald Trump might be a reasonable candidate.

It may have been presented to him like, "with your grades and background you could get into West Point - all expenses paid and no cost, but you have to do four or five years of service afterwards", which is the deal, and he acknowledged that - he may have misused the term 'scholarship', or maybe it was misused when described to him, or maybe that's what his mother called it, but he certainly was aware he'd have to do four or five years of military service afterwards, which he cited as one of the reasons not to pursue it. There's nothing to imply he really thought it was a no-strings-attached paid-in-full arrangement.

That said, I still think he's a loon.

[Skittles]

113. uh huh

how about the part where the guy he claims MADE him the offer wasn't even in the same city as Carson when he claims the offer was made?

[Rex]

108. Don't say that too loud a certain DUer will get pissed off!

Evidently they are running around defending Carson...what a strange hobby, but whatever.

[still_one]

109. That is all he had to do up front. Instead he continued to push the lie, and thus dig himself in a

hole further

[neffernin]

111. I'm cheering for Ben to be the Republican nominee

As I feel he'd be a complete pushover in the generals... Just imagine the debates regardless of who the Dem nominee is!

[daybranch]

112. Why do we let the oligarchy's Mian Stream Media focus our attention on idiots

when our time would be much better spent focusing on the issues? Go Bernie!

[rtracey]

114. ok

time to take this down