Ben Carson criticized the media Friday for scrutinizing his history more closely now than it did President Obama’s before his election in 2008.
“The so-called vetting that you all did with President Obama doesn’t even come close to what you guys are trying to do in my case,” the Republican presidential candidate told host Alisyn Camerota in testy comments on CNN’s “New Day.”
{mosads}“Was that what you did with him?” Carson asked, referring to Obama. “No, you did not. Give me a break.
“It is just garbage,” the retired neurosurgeon added. “A lot of people recognize that right now we are on the precipice of disaster.
“We just can’t continue with the same stuff, Democrat or Republican. I’m going to continue to focus on those serious issues and not get caught up in all the garbage.”
Camerota sparred with Carson early Friday over his past accounts of violent incidents during his formative years.
CNN reported late Thursday that Carson’s associates from his early life do not recall the aggressive person he describes.
Carson argued Friday that he has repeatedly detailed his experiences as clearly and accurately as possible.
“The story is well-documented,” he said. “If you choose not to believe it, if it doesn’t fit the narrative that you want, that’s fine. Let’s let the American people decide.”
Carson additionally charged that his authenticity is an advantage rather than a liability with potential voters next year.
“I suspect it’s because I’m not a politician,” he said when Camerota asked why he is surging in multiple national polls.
“People don’t like politicians,” Carson continued. “People like people who are straightforward and are like them.
“I’m never going to be a politician,” he added. “That’s the way I’m going to continue to be.”
Journalists are probing whether Carson participated in multiple violent confrontations, including nearly stabbing a relative.
Carson has countered that the passage of time and the intensity of the situations has publicly distorted their details.