Recently, Ben Carson has stepped out to "call out" the media for continuously misinterpreting his comments on various issues: “I will continue to expose them every time they do something, so that as more people understand what they are and what they’re doing, it will negate their affect". Carson's statement against the media comes amid the recent publications "distorting" his positions on gun control and religion.
I find it quite interesting that although Carson is victimizing himself in light of the media, he appreciates the fact that the media is increasing his poll numbers: “It seems like the more they attack me, the better we do”. While we have other candidates, the prime example being Trump, using the media to their advantage, Carson is evidently not the biggest fan of the media, despite the fact that the press increases his voting numbers.
According to the article, "Carson said he’s a frequent target for attacks because as a black Republican, [he] doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional conservative and therefore is viewed as a threat to the liberal order". While this raises a good, debatable point for discussion, perhaps he could just elucidate his intent and meanings in a way that the press won't misconstrue the way he views issues. "Exposing" the media every single time they say something that doesn't fit your standpoint is rather time-constraining while he most certainly will have better things to do if elected president.
Carson also stated that the only reason the media was created was so that they would be "an ally of the people". The media is branched off in many different sites and publications - I'm sure there's many of them in favor of Carson, and those press sites, I assume, won't be "exposed" anytime soon.
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/256531-carson-declares-war-on-the-press
I feel like Carson says things that he wishes he could take back, but doesn't because of his pride. In the second GOP debate at the Reagan Library, Carson was quoted by the mediator, "Dr. Carson proposed giving these undocumented immigrants a six- month grace period to pay back taxes then to let them become guest workers and only to deport people who failed to do that." Carson replied that he did not say that, even when the mediator said that he got the quote from The Washington Post. After hearing this during the debate, even though people commend Carson for being the calm, level-headed opposite of Trump, I believe that the nation would suffer just as much under the leadership of Carson as it would with Trump. Both Trump and Carson are good at what they do/did, being a businessman, and being a doctor. These two professions do not automatically mean success as a leader of a a world power. Carson, like Trump, needs to admit when he doesn't know something, instead of blaming the media for twisting his words. While it's true that the media does this, he is the one that provides the words to be twisted into a negative image of himself. He shouldn't blame the press for his own action of constantly putting his foot in his mouth.
ReplyDeleteI agree with William; Carson is fueling the media machine deliberately, but I'm not sure the media attention he receives will help him as much as he intended. Isn't it a waste of time to "fight" against the media when you could be doing putting more worthwhile effort into furthering your campaign? Trump can work the media to his advantage because he has the charisma and the character required to do it; Carson should realize that his efforts with the media are in vain, and he should reallocate his efforts more efficiently.
ReplyDeleteI feel that maybe in declaring a "war" on the media, Ben Carson may, in another way, be using and manipulating the media for his political reasons. Even if he states that he is not a fan of the media, I think that he realizes himself that it can't be helped but to use the media for his votes...because it works. I don't necessarily see a point in declaring a so-called war with the media because they are what allows people to connect to him. Otherwise, they won't even know who he is, and therefore, can't vote for him. I only see a lost cause for him in this case because it's best for him and all political candidates to be on good terms with the media because they are the filters in what gets heard by the people of America. Like it is said many times, people don't care what is the truth, but tend to believe what they want to believe...which is what Ben Carson seems to complain about here. However, all he has to do is clarify himself, as well as reach out to the media staff members like a professional. Not "declare a war". I don't really see a point to this war because in the end, the media is what Ben Carson needs in order to win. So, I think Ben Carson should withdraw from this "exposure" that he plans to do and shake hands with them.
ReplyDeleteThis is where Carson's lack of experience proves to be a detriment to him. Carson has in the past said some very questionable things, most recently his comments on the Oregon shootings. He seems to get flustered every time he is interviewed and to me this just seems to be a cop out excuse for himself.
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