Ben Carson can’t change subject after contentious Muslim remark

Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon who is running for president, has seen his campaign’s first firestorm after remarks over the weekend in which he said that a Muslim should not be president of the United States, according to the New York Times.

Since his initial comments on Sunday, Mr. Carson has sought to fend off accusations that he was promoting discrimination while refusing to walk back his comments.

As the Republican candidate continues to face questions on the matter, we are tracing how he has threaded the rhetorical needle.

Asked on “Meet the Press” by the NBC interviewer Chuck Todd if faith should matter to voters when deciding on a presidential candidate, Mr. Carson said it depended on what that faith is and if it is consistent with the Constitution. He said that Islam was not consistent and said: “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.”

“Absolutely, I stand by the comments,” Mr. Carson said on the “Hannity” program. “You know what we have to do is we have to recognize this is America and we have a Constitution and we do not put people at the leadership of our country whose faith might interfere with carrying out the duties of the Constitution.”

Mr. Carson also suggested that he would be open to supporting someone who was born Muslim but who renounced the religion: “Now if someone has a Muslim background and they’re willing to reject those tenets and to accept the way of life that we have and clearly will swear to place our constitution above our religion, then of course they will be considered infidels and heretics,” he said. “But at least then I will be quite willing to support them.”

“Those Republicans that take issue with my position are amazing,” Mr. Carson said. “Under Islamic law, homosexuals – men and women alike – must be killed. Women must be subservient. And people following other religions must be killed. I know that there are many peaceful Muslims who do not adhere to these beliefs. But until these tenets are fully renounced … I cannot advocate any Muslim candidate for president.

SWource: MENA