Title: Ben Carson admits fabricating West Point scholarship (leftists lied then retracted this story) Source:
Politico URL Source:http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/ben-carson-west-point-215598 Published:Nov 6, 2015 Author:Kyle Cheney Post Date:2015-11-06 15:50:03 by Willie Green Keywords:None Views:7595 Comments:41
Carson's campaign on Friday conceded that a central point in his inspirational personal story did not occur as he previously described.
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.
“Dr. Carson was the top ROTC student in the City of Detroit,” campaign manager Barry Bennett wrote in an email to POLITICO. “In that role he was invited to meet General Westmoreland. He believes it was at a banquet. He can’t remember with specificity their brief conversation but it centered around Dr. Carson’s performance as ROTC City Executive Officer.”
“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.”
Carson would have needed to seek admission in order to receive an offer of free education from West Point. Also, according to West Point, there is no such thing as a “full scholarship” to the military academy, as Carson represented in his book.
An application to West Point begins with a nomination by a member of Congress or another prominent government or military official. After that, a rigorous vetting process begins. If offered admission, all costs are covered for all students; indeed there are no “full scholarships,” per se.
The statement from Carson’s campaign manager on Friday went on to say: “There are ‘Service Connected’ nominations for stellar High School ROTC appointments. Again he was the top ROTC student in Detroit. I would argue strongly that an Appointment is indeed an amazing full scholarship. Having ran several Congressional Offices I am very familiar with the Nomination process.
“Again though his Senior Commander was in touch with West Point and told Dr. Carson he could get in, Dr. Carson did not seek admission.”
The concession from Carson’s campaign comes as serious questions about other points of fact in Carson’s personal narrative are questioned, including the seminal episode in which he claimed to have attempted to stab a close friend. Similarly, details have emerged that cast doubt on the nature of Carson’s encounter with one of the most prominent military men of that era.
The West Point spokeswoman said it certainly is possible Carson talked with Westmoreland, and perhaps the general even encouraged him to apply to West Point. However, she said, the general would have explained the benefits of a West Point education without guaranteeing him entry.
In “Gifted Hands,” Carson says he excelled in his ROTC program at Detroit’s Southwestern High School, earning the respect of his superiors — just a couple years after anger problems led him to try to murder a friend. He attained the rank of second lieutenant by his senior year of high school and became the student leader of the city’s ROTC programs.
“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.”
That all sounds more than reasonable,as well as likely to me. In 69 the US Military academies were all looking for qualified minority applicants,so a black ROTC student that was the top ROTC student in Detroit would have been a slam dunk.
Carson would have needed to seek admission in order to receive an offer of free education from West Point.
Not true at all. If a senior General tells you he can get you in,he can get you in. The fact that Carson never filed an application does nothing to dilute the basic truth he was offered a slot there if he wanted it.
Also, according to West Point, there is no such thing as a “full scholarship” to the military academy, as Carson represented in his book.
There is no such thing as a West Point enrollment that is anything LESS than a "full scholarship". That's the only kind they have.
An application to West Point begins with a nomination by a member of Congress or another prominent government or military official.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong,but isn't a 3 star General Officer a "prominent military official"?
After that, a rigorous vetting process begins. If offered admission, all costs are covered for all students; indeed there are no “full scholarships,” per se.
How's THAT for circular reasoning? Since they are all full scholarships there are no full scholarships? WTF,over?
Since they are all full scholarships there are no full scholarships?
It's an appointment that results in an obligation to serve as an officer. As I recall, a few times an academy graduate decided not to serve after graduating and they did threaten to pursue him for tuition and board and the stipend cost. Not sure what they ended up doing.
A "full scholarship" normally doesn't include an obligation to future employment by a particular employer. Which is why it is called an appointment, not a scholarship.
Carson should have known that the military keeps records on everything. I saw his response to the press today and I thought he looked weak, his world collapsing.
I've read elsewhere that the campaign watchers are puzzled by Carson's campaign in that the entire campaign seems to be a campaign to raise large amounts of money. Maybe he's just trying to build a big warchest but his spending is puzzling to the campaign watchers.
Not true at all. If a senior General tells you he can get you in,he can get you in. The fact that Carson never filed an application does nothing to dilute the basic truth he was offered a slot there if he wanted it.
The application for ROTC nomination is submitted via through your Professor of Military Science or Senior Instructor, not a congressman, so it is really a slam dunk for someone such as General Westmoreland. The hack who wrote the Politico article considered only a congressional nomination, but Carson was and ROTC all-star.
An application to West Point begins with a nomination by a member of Congress or another prominent government or military official.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong,but isn't a 3 star General Officer a "prominent military official"?
No, but see my #21. Carson would have been covered by an ROTC nomination, not a Congressional nomination for which that prattle applies.
Since they are all full scholarships there are no full scholarships? WTF,over?
Technically, they are not scholarships as you incur a lengthy service obligation with the education.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong,but isn't a 3 star General Officer a "prominent military official"?
Westmoreland had the power to do exactly as Carson describes.
Senior General officers and the WP commandant have appointments in their hip pocket. They also have access to Congressmen to influence their appointments.
Westmoreland was one phone call away to get Carson an appointment.
