EMAIL SMEAR AGAINST BEN CARSON IS TOTALLY INCONSISTENT WITH CANDIDATE’S STATED VALUES
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has run a disciplined, substantive, data-driven campaign – a modern candidacy in every sense of the word. And with one early-voting “Republican” state officially in the books, he’s the only GOP candidate currently running a winning campaign.
With boasts of bigger victories to come …
Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, on the other hand, has been a dud.
After peaking last fall, Carson’s campaign has completely imploded. In fact we’ve been wondering for weeks why he hasn’t dropped out of the race already.
As Iowans went to the polls on Monday night to cast the first votes of the 2016 election cycle, Carson briefly seemed to be doing just that … at least according to Cruz’s campaign.
Take a look at this email obtained by Gawker …
This email – broadly disseminated as GOP voters filed into precincts across the state – seems to have been deliberately intended to depress Carson’s turnout while boosting support for Cruz.
All under the guise of MSM officialdom, no less …
And it worked like a charm …
“They executive it perfectly,” a veteran national operative familiar with such tactics told us.
The ruse was also advanced by U.S. Rep. Steve King of Iowa, one of Cruz’s national co-chairmen.
“Carson looks like he is out,” King tweeted. “Iowans need to know before they vote. Most will go to Cruz, I hope.”
Cruz apologized the following day to Carson, calling the email “a mistake.”
“Last night when our political team saw the CNN post saying that Dr. Carson was not carrying on to New Hampshire and South Carolina, our campaign updated grassroots leaders just as we would with any breaking news story,” Cruz said in a statement to CNN. “That’s fair game. What the team then should have done was send around the follow-up statement from the Carson campaign clarifying that he was indeed staying in the race when that came out.”
Um … ya think?
King also later said that he regretted “any miscommunications” regarding Carson’s intentions.
The network blamed for the snafu? It having none of Cruz’s “fair game” claim.
“CNN reported that the retired neurosurgeon planned to go home to Florida after the Iowa caucuses rather than flying straight to New Hampshire or South Carolina,” the network stated.
Obviously that’s not the same thing as “taking some time off” from a campaign. Also, Cruz’s campaign has yet to say where it came up with the news that Carson was planning a “big announcement” in the week following the caucus.
Carson was livid over the email. He wasn’t going to win Iowa, obviously, but he and Cruz were competing hard for many of the same voters – including evangelicals.
“I think whoever is responsible for blatant lying should be dismissed, absolutely – unless that kind of behavior is acceptable in your campaign culture,” he told CNN.
And while he accepted Cruz’s apology, Carson added that “it doesn’t correct the problem.”
“This is a cultural issue when people in your campaign feel that it’s okay to distort the issues to their political advantage and to tell absolute lies,” he said. “And the question really is will there be any consequences for that.”
That’s a good question …
As we’ve stated previously, Cruz is one of the better “Republican” candidates in our estimation. In fact we came very close to endorsing him because he has a fairly consistent record on the pro-free market, pro-liberty issues that matter to us.
He also told truth to power in Iowa, taking on the state’s powerful ethanol lobby by opposing subsidies for their product very early in the process.
But the one thing we’ve never cared much for as it relates to Cruz is his sanctimonious, holier-than-thou moralizing – which is all about attracting evangelical voters.
We wonder: What will evangelical voters in South Carolina think when they learn that Cruz’s campaign is basically willing to lie to get ahead?
Seriously: Isn’t there a commandment against that? One that actually pre-dates the Eleventh Commandment of Ronald Reagan? Something about not “bearing false witness against thy neighbor?”
Yeah … Cruz broke that commandment (and Reagan’s commandment) in Iowa. Big time. All so he could get a leg up with Christian voters.
And while it may have achieved its initial objective, he’s now got a “cheater” label to deal with … not to mention a tainted win.
91 comments
“All so he could get a leg up with Christian voters.”
It is ironic that the the basis for his press release to increase support among evangelicals was not true. Intentional or not, Cruz bears the responsibility for putting out false information about a fellow competitor.
Trump, Rubio, and Cruz were my choices, in that order, for the Republican nomination. Cruz was falling on my list before this happened, now is is has been eliminated from my consideration.
Excellent post.The country needs Trump.I could vote for Rubio as he has said no amnesty or path to citizenship for illegals.
Something very nasty about Cruz the last few weeks.What he did to Carson will hurt him in SC.Even though folks made a decision a while back that Carson wasn’t ready to be President he is still one of the most respected men in America,
Trump loves us Muslims, he just puts on a tough face to dupe Republicans.
I do a lot of business with Muslims. Hell, they bail me out when I get into finacial trouble (which is often).
http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/01/31/saudi-media-claim-trump/
Same as I wonder about Muslims that aren’t screaming from the rooftops their disgust at deeds done in the name of their religion, I wonder why about Christians, who should feel misrepresented. When Liberals tried to plant fake white supremacists in Tea Party events you could see the disgust and anger from the people around them.
Stone him…Stone him!
Let Ted who has sinned get the first stone upside his head
He ‘stoned’ himself. He needs a haircut like my boy BERNIE!
Ted is secretly our candidate. Obama never listened to us. Ted will.
And then, let the boogie man clean up what is left.
These are Cruz’s values.
He sent out totally bogus voter score cards in Iowa.
He lied about Ben dropping out.
He’s the perfect example on a slimy politician, saying or doing whatever to win.
Cruz is just another politician that wears God, America and his ego on his sleeve.
If elected he will be ineffective, so what is the point of Cruz?
BERNIE is just another politician that wears Satan,his hate of America and his insanity up his ass!
If elected he will an effective stooge for George Soros and communists all over the world.ISIS will love him.
CNN reported it, Cruz’s staff repeated it. The only offense Cruz’s folks are guilty of is not retracting it once it became clear the Clinton News Network had gotten it wrong. Did it make any difference in the caucus? No.
How do you know it made NO difference? God tell ya?
Simple math.
Carson drew less than 10% of the vote (17,000). Let’s say that an additional 10% intended to vote for him – what makes you think that all 10% of the voters decided to cast their changed vote for Cruz?
Cruz beat him by 34,000 votes a 3:1 advantage.
You said it made no difference.That is false.The Cruz campaign used this information at every caucus site to switch voters over.
Have some respect for the integrity of the process,Colonel. I figured a military man would be outraged by such treason. :)
Treason: the crime of betraying one’s country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.
So now that we know this isn’t treason, let’s examine what it really was. Opportunism – the taking of opportunities as and when they arise, regardless of planning or principle.
Why does it surprise you that the political hacks who run campaigns would do something like this? The whole Thomas Jefferson/Sally Hemmings thing started as an attempt to make Jefferson look bad in the election of 1802.
It was a treasonous act by a greasy politician in an attempt to kill ‘Carson’.
You would expect this from the Democrats-not from a politician running with Jesus as his side kick.Sounds a lot like him failing to disclose those loans.
You struggle with standard English don’t you?
If you are condoning what Cruz did then it appears you’re having a struggle with your ‘soul’ today.
By Allah your soul will burn in eternal hellfire infidel!
No struggle at all, I’ve already stated that it was done by a political hack. Cruz apologized and it didn’t affect the outcome, what other issue is there?
Actually, there is no way to know whether it affected the outcome. Cruz is lying if he says he did not know and approve what was happening.
You realize we’re in SC. That stunt is kids play compared to what’s coming.
You got right.When Hillary is indicted for multiple felonies, Bernie will need a food taster. :)
‘that’ right
Trump’s tweets could be referencing a Monday message from Iowa Rep. Steve King, who endorsed Cruz in November. On Monday night, King tweeted that “Carson looks like he is out. Iowans need to know before they vote. Most will go to Cruz, I hope.”
http://www.ibtimes.com/donald-trump-alleges-ted-cruz-stole-iowa-caucuses-twitter-rant-about-ben-carson-2291913
Pretty clear Cruz stole Iowa.
Yep
A democrat thing, you are stupid.
Nice to have an ex-Marine as our blog dummy,Carry on and vote BERNIE!
Have they considered changing your medication or have you considered drinking more.You really appear dumb,not misunderstood.
Am I agreeing with Flip???? Really???? OMG yes
Have you know shame? What would your students think of you condoning deceit and lies for political expedience?
‘no’
Jest ass eye thawed.
They’d think I’d been through an election cycle or two and wasn’t a troll – by the way, where exactly did I condone what the guy I called a “political hack” had done?
Donald J. Trump ? @realDonaldTrump
Based on the fraud committed by Senator Ted Cruz during the Iowa Caucus, either a new election should take place or Cruz results nullified.
9:28 AM – 3 Feb 2016
Idiocy, the Democrats were flipping coins to decide who won and the Trumpster is pissed because he got WHIPPED fair and square!
The whining weenie is threatening to file a lawsuit. Typical Trump.
I am the real flip. Not the ignorant pissant who does not no the difference between “no” and “know.”
Ewe no wat eye meen?
I’m about to throw up in my mouth but I agree with Flip.
The important number is NOt the difference betweene Cruz and CARSON but Cruz and TRUMP. And yes, it is reasonable to expect MOST of the changed Carson votes went to Cruz instead
So how many “changed votes” were there? Carson got exactly the 9.3% of the votes he was pooling right before the caucus. Thus, it didn’t matter.
http://www.aol.com/article/2016/01/26/donald-trump-and-ted-cruz-are-neck-and-neck-going-into-iowa-cauc/21303025/#fullscreen
Maybe enough for him to beat Trump. I think this deception is a game changer for Cruz. He revealed his character early.
No way – Carson got 10% more than the polls showed he would. Cruz simply did a better job in Iowa – why anyone cares about those ridiculously badly run caucuses is anybody’s guess but Cruz simply did it better.
The polls were wrong, that is obvious. But there is no way to know the impact of Cruz’s deception. And if anyone says that Cruz did not approve this I think they are either a fool or lying. Cruz knew exactly what he was doing.
While I agree with you on the Iowa Caucuses, in this case they provided valuable information about the character, or more accurately the lack thereof, of Ted Cruz. They show he is willing to lie and cheat to win.
Actually, the polls were pretty correct for the bottom tier it was only in the top 3 with a really got it wrong and even then it wasn’t that far off.
Exactly, Cruz managed to steal enough votes from Carson to beat Trump. What a POS. But as I understand that is his character.
That old wannabe was NEVER a military man. He is nothing more than a lying two bit phony who wishes that he had the courage and honor it takes to serve our country.
I agree with you.Hillary and BERNIE both lie.Democrats lie.That is who we are.No big deal.Hillary used that 2 headed coin to defeat my communist loving BERNIE and I didn’t whine!
Living in SC, I guess you never see a lying republican? Please!
He IS a lying Republican!
Based on the FITS post, it was significantly ‘reworded’ to give a different meaning
Listen to it yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCzksoprMP4&feature=youtu.be
Will’s credibility is taking a hit today, read his piece on New Hampshire.
Appears to me your integrity and ability to recognize the truth is taking a ‘hit’ today.
You wouldn’t know what integrity is if it bit your infidel behind.
What the hell do you know about integrity and truth, you bastard! The only thing you know is Pederasty.
Pederasty?
Man, that’s nasty!
Newsflash, toy soldier, whatever “credibility” Will had was sold to the highest bidder sometime ago.
In regard to Will’s credibility, I am applying the rule of holes here, “when you’re in one quit digging”.
I saw the banner scroll on CNN when it happened and heard them talk about it later. And I sure came away with the impression he might be out. First version said he was going home to rest and see family instead of going to NH or SC. Then later on they said he was going home to get fresh clothes. I don’t recall whether there was any talk about an announcement.
‘greasy’ Ted just ran with it.Disgraceful.This ain’t over.O’Reilly on Fox had Carson on last night and is doing an investigation.Cruz will rue the day he pulled this.
Watch the video clip. I knew it sounded like Carson was pulling out. Carson and his team are flakes. This isn’t the first time they put out information to the press that had to be corrected later.
I met Carson,his wife and ‘team’ in Ohio.They are anything but ‘flakes’.
No, but they are secret Muslims.
Morning FitsNews staff! Who is buying the coffee today? :)
You’re the new intern, you are fetching the coffee. Remember, if you don’t perform you are going to be homeless again very quickly!
I accept pay pal.
Prostitution is Haraam to us Muslims, please do not solicit me again.
I found a youtube clip of Dana Bash and Jake Tapper talking about it. It said Carson was going home regardless of the Iowa results to beat the snow. And he was going to stay there for a couple of days. Also he was not going to NH or SC but instead was going to a prayer breakfast on Thursday in Baltimore. That he planned on holding a press conference at 9::15 am. Then both reporters proceeded to talk about how odd it was and that going home instead of being at the caucus wasn’t a good idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCzksoprMP4&feature=youtu.be
How do all Cruz’s evangelical supporters feel about political dirty tricks? I guess the same as all those Bob Jonesers felt about Carroll Campbell smearing Max Heller?
Yep, somehow it’s different if “ours” do it.
Politicians being politicians, imagine that. Cruz put out false information, it’s as simple as that. I don’t care what CNN reported, it’s the responsibility of the candidate to verify. How many times has a politician said, “That’s not what I said”. I know Cruz has. I don’t blame Carson for being upset but then politics is a blood sport, get use to it.
If we allow politicians and notable people to start ignoring the veracity of their statements and repeat or conjure up what they believe to be true, we all might as well be living in Chicago, Detroit, NYC,etc.
You have to take ownership of what you believe, and what you say.
If Karl the Irreligious Rove, through his “unofficial” network, is designing this — he is about winning elections. Period. It’s a chess game.
Read.this.damn.book. : >>>The Bush Tragedy by Jacob Weisberg<<<
Why would the Carson people EVER, and I mean EVER, say that the candidate was going home after Iowa during voting. CNN was reporting it way before the Cruz people did anything with it.
Optics are everything. Every candidate who is serious was on a plane to NH or SC the night of the vote. It’s their fault for this idiot bungle. And it’s also Carson’s fault for not having an Iowa field team that could push back against any attempts at their voters.
I cannot stand Cruz, but this is just desperation on behalf of Trump who is crying like a bitch on Twitter. Also, Carson’s votes just about equaled his polling.
This is about setting up a buffet – Teddy the Fake snorts up the planned leftovers.
I will no longer consider Cruz a viable candidate and will tell this to everyone I know. He needs to go back to Canada or Cuba or where ever in the hell he’s from. If they will lie before being elected, they will most certainly lie afterwards.
Not voting for people who lie before getting elected. Sounds like a philosophy for reducing the population of the the Capitol Building and the White House to zero for all eternity.
Ted Cruz is a fundamentalist Dominionist.
Dominionists believe that lies are acceptable if they further the goal of establishing a theocratic state.
So, what Cruz did was ethical and moral in his alternate universe. And, everyone with enough of a brain to research what it is to be a Dominionist will hope that it remains his alternate universe…and, his alone.
“Lying for God”
Donald is REALLL bloat-up and red faced in that picture and the teeth look like bad dentures.
The Donald knows how to use imminent domain to take other people’s stuff, maybe he’ll take Cruz’s Iowa win with it.
Rafael Cruz is a lying, cheating POS.
When you are deciding who to support in SC, Remember the Alamo and Remember the Maine. Don’t give the country back to the Spanish.
Cruz is a lying Canadian piece of Shit!
What Cruz did was just terrible. Next thing you know, he will be skipping out on millions of dollars in Casino debts while hiding behind the skirts of the bankruptcy laws.
Ay, ay, ay, ay! oh, I am dee Voto Bandito. I like votes. I love them, I do. I want Carson’s votes. I’ll take them, from you. Aye, Yi, Yi, Yi, I am the Voto Bandito. Give me Carson’s votes, and I’ll be your friend. The Voto Bandito you must not offend
I”m gonna stab that muthafucker in his belt buckle! That’ll teach that no nose, spic bastard to fuck with me. Bitch betta recognize, I from Detroit, dammit!
No nose? We lookin’ at the same dude?
Tweet from Trump
Donald J. Trump ?@realDonaldTrump 4h4 hours ago
Thank you @billoreilly & @KarlRove. Ted Cruz
should be immediately disqualified in Iowa,
with each candidate moving up one notch.
Donald Trump then sends you to this…
WOW! Karl Rove Explains How Cruz
Camp’s Cheating Stole Iowa from Trump
https://youtu.be/ocgEmgXXwF8
02:47