One of the things many people who support Ben Carson admire most about him is his apparent sense of calm no matter the situation. But earlier this morning during an interview with Alisyn Camerota, that veneer of cool detachment slipped and the good doctor totally lost his shit on-air.
Camerota played a video of Carson making controversial remarks earlier this week: In the first, Carson said parts of the American electorate are stupid, and in the other one he proclaimed that without Fox News, “we’d be Cuba.”
Naturally, as a good interviewer should, Camerota asked what portions of the public Dr. Carson thought were stupid. To which Carson replied that those who believe social programs help the disadvantaged are stupid. So Camerota sought to follow-up with this query:
“So, just to be clear, people who support food stamps or Medicaid or welfare…”
But Carson abruptly cut her off and remarked:
“I didn’t say that, now you’re trying to put words into my mouth. Why don’t you listen to what I just told you?”
The host attempted to move forward:
“It sounds like what you’re saying are liberals…”
Nope, he wouldn’t let her complete that thought, either:
“I can’t believe that you used to work on Fox News!”
At that point, Camerota then moved on to the Cuba comment and inquired:
“You mean that if Fox News didn’t exist, we would be a communist country?”
That’s when Carson totally snapped. He blasted at Camerota with this:
“No. Again, there you go with sensationalism. That’s what you try to do. You hope somehow that will resonate with people who don’t think for themselves. I’ve got news for you, people are a lot smarter than you think they are, and they know exactly what I’m talking about.”
But Camerota was equal to the challenge and reminded Dr. Carson she was merely asking about things he had said on the campaign trail:
“Dr. Carson, you said it! Dr. Carson, I’m quoting — I’m not even quoting you, I’m playing your words. You are the person who said there are a lot of people who are stupid and without Fox News, we would be Cuba.”
Realizing he cannot win the debate, Carson decides to go negative and try to slag Camerota with this:
“Are you honestly telling me that you didn’t know what I was talking about when I said that? Are you honestly telling me? If you are, you might fit in that category.”
One thing that Dr. Carson continually talks about is the lack of civility in America. Here’s some of what he wrote in an editorial:
“Civility and honesty are highly desirable traits, which should be imparted to our children both through example and planned lessons.”
Is that right? Well then, Doctor, I only have one thing left to say to you:
Physician, heal thyself!
This article was originally published by the same author at LiberalAmerica.org.