Why Going After Ben Carson on the West Point "Issue" Is Unfair -- and Really Dumb

I am convinced that Ben Carson would be a disaster as President of the United States.  Not only are his views on a wide range of issues nothing but a version of right-wing biases and phony solutions to problems, but he consistency displays a breathtaking ignorance of basic information about American governance and political history.  While he plainly was a brilliant pediatric neurosurgeon, his degree of intellectual curiosity and breadth seems to have been limited to his chosen profession.

This is why the misplaced media hysteria over Carson’s recollections of his being offered the chance to go to West Point is so dangerous.  There is no reason to doubt his general recollection of the offer. Last night, Carson held a press conference in which he presented a totally reasonable explanation of the matter.  If the shoe were on the other foot – if a liberal candidate gave a similar explanation in a similar situation – I suspect that liberals and the non-right-wing media would be fully satisfied.  By trying to elevate nothing into something, “our side” has given Carson a cudgel that he likely will use (and probably with great effect), when legitimate issues over his prejudices and ignorance are raised. 

We can’t be like the Little Boy Who Cried Wolf.  Lord knows, there are plenty of reasons to be horrified at the prospect of a Ben Carson presidency.  But the West Point matter is not one, and by attacking him with it, “our side” may be making such a presidency more likely.