CNN’s Camerota Hammers Carson’s Manager over Muslim Controversy
CAMEROTA: “What was Dr. Carson thinking when he was saying that a Muslim cannot be president of the U.S.?”
ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS, BEN CARSON'S BUSINESS MANAGER: He understands that there are tenets of Islam that hates Jews; will kill homosexuals.”
CAMEROTA: “You're talking about an extremist/radical strain – not the strain that millions of American Muslims practice here in this country. You know there are more American Muslims than there are Episcopalians. You're talking about a radical strain.”
WILLIAMS: “Dr. Carson was asked his opinion. His opinion was, the timing – at this point, he would not vote for a Muslim in the White House. This is why he's not a politician. This is why he's not trying to be politically correct. This is America. It's a place of freedom of speech –“
CAMEROTA: “And freedom of religion –“
WILLIAMS: “You express what you believe and how you feel –“
CAMEROTA: “I mean, and – and freedom of religion!”
…
CAMEROTA: “Armstrong, let me read to you Article VI of the Constitution, which says that anyone of any religion can serve in public office. Here it is: 'No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.' Dr. Carson's belief system violates that part of the Constitution. … Is Dr. Carson comfortable with anyone other than a Christian being president? … Dr. Carson is talking about religion, Armstrong. He says it here – let me read you his own words: 'Muslims feel that their religion is very much part of your public life and what you do as a public official; and that's inconsistent with our principles and our constitution.' What is so striking about this, Armstrong, is that Dr. Carson also believes that his religion is very much a part of his public life. Look at all of the outcry over the Kentucky clerk, Kim Davis, who was putting her religion over the law of the land – in terms of gay marriage licenses – and he and others supported her. He does think this is about religion, and he does think that sometimes religion can trump the law, as we've seen.”
