Editor’s note: Though Cedars will bring you in-depth coverage of the Carson Rally, we do not endorse any presidential candidate. Post your pictures and thoughts about the rally on social media using #CarsonatCU.
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson will host a campaign rally at Cedarville University 2 p.m. Sept. 22. in the university’s Dixon Ministry Center. Being the site of a political rally is perhaps a first for the university, which has stated it does not endorse any presidential candidate. The event will be streamed live at cedarville.edu/bencarsonlive beginning at 1:50 p.m.
A CNN/ORC poll released Sept. 20 – just days after the Sept. 16 GOP debate – has Carson poised to receive 14 percent of Republican’s vote, which, while placing him at No. 3 in the then-pack of 17, is a decrease from his 19 percent support gained earlier in September. But according to the RealClearPolitics polling average taken from Aug. 31 to Sept. 19, Carson has just shy of 19 percent support, trailing real estate mogul and GOP frontrunner Donald Trump’s 28.5 percent support.
Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, has been called an outsider candidate, clumping him with the GOP pack leaders Trump and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, the sole female Republican candidate. These three candidates – a surgeon, a real estate mogul and a CEO – specialize in the professional world, not the political, but they received a combined 53 percent of Republican support in Sept. 20 poll. Some individuals argue the candidates’ lack of political involvement leaves them ill-equipped and unworthy of a presidential nomination while other individuals argue the candidates’ inexperience means a fresh approach to leadership and an uncorrupted nominee.
The media – and fellow candidates – flocked to Carson after he suggested during an episode of NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sept. 20 that Muslims are unfit to hold presidential office in America.
The conversation between moderator Chuck Todd and Carson transpired as such:
CT: “Should presidents’ faith matter? Should your faith matter to voters?”
BC: “I guess it depends on what that faith is. If it’s inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter. But if it fits within the realm of America and consistent with the Constitution, then no problem.”
CT: “So do you believe that Islam is consistent with the Constitution?”
BC: “No I do not. I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.”
Democrat and Republican candidates weighed in on the issue, the majority of which disagreed with Carson’s response.
Carson will address campaign supporters in Sharonville, Ohio, at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 22 before stopping by Cedarville. He’ll end the day with an appearance at the University of Dayton for a fundraiser event for the pro-life organization Dayton Right to Life. The fundraiser event is not a Carson campaign-sponsored event.
To learn more about the Carson campaign, visit bencarson.com. Watch the video below to hear Carson’s controversial response on “Meet the Press.”
Anna Dembowski is a senior journalism major and editor-in-chief for Cedars. She is learning to love coffee, spontaneity and Twitter. Follow her at @annabbowskers.
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