De Blasio: ‘Ben Carson Should Not Be Underestimated’

SCARBOROUGH: “— explain Ben Carson to us.” [crosstalk]

BRZEZINSKI: “Yeah. I — I — this is good.”

SCARBOROUGH: “You have said the great explanation.”

DE BLASIO: “I think — first of all, I think this is going to be a very competitive race. I don’t think anyone should assume neither the Democratic primary or Republican primary is — anything is going to get settled in the near term. There’s a lot to play out. Everyone is going to work very hard. I think Ben Carson should not be underestimated. I get very worried as a Democrat when we underestimate Donald Trump, Ben Carson, anyone. Ben Carson is really impressive human being. Let’s face it, he is a very accomplished man. I think his calm demeanor is something that people appreciate in a time of a contentious moment. Now, I think some of the things he said. For example about Muslim, Americans are actually unacceptable. I think they will ultimately squalify him. But don’t go to sleep on someone whose is accomplished and impressive and calm.”

BRZEZINSKI: “Who is winning in the polls? [crosstalk]

SCARBOROUGH: “And finally, I need to ask you this question.”

FORD JR.: “But, you said it even better a few minutes ago. What do you think that make — I think it’s important you say that — what is it that distinguishes him and allows him to confound pundits and confound the political pundits?”

DE BLASIO: “Right. I mean, he’s also is the ultimate outsider. Because, here’s an accomplished guy in the medical field who did something that’s not politics, not Washington. And it is the antithesis of what’s happening. So people shouldn’t forget that the — public is being logical on one level, and then they like something that’s very different from what they see in Washington.”