Amid Slipping Poll Numbers, Ben Carson Tells Supporters Media Is Twisting His Words
With less than two months to go before the Iowa Caucuses on Feb. 1 and his poll numbers slipping, Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson told his supporters Friday that the media and political class "just don't understand me."
"For some reason, the media and the political class in our country just don't understand me," said Carson in an email sent to his supporters Friday, a copy of which was acquired by The Christian Post. "Perhaps they just don't want to."
On Wednesday a new national Quinnipiac University survey showed Carson tumbling after withering scrutiny over his lack of foreign policy expertise and his personal tale of redemption. Four weeks ago he was in a tie with the Republican frontrunner, real estate billionaire Donald Trump.
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"It doesn't seem to matter what he says or who he offends, whether the facts are contested or the 'political correctness' is challenged, Donald Trump seems to be wearing Kevlar," Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll noted.
"Dr. Ben Carson, moving to center stage just one month ago, now needs some CPR. The Doctor sinks. The Donald soars. The GOP, 11 months from the election, has to be thinking, 'This could be the guy,'" he added.
The retired neurosurgeon, who is confident that his supporters understand him "just fine," took time in the fundraising appeal to reiterate who he is and asked his supporters to help him take his message directly to voters through paid advertising.
"This is who I am — I'm a proud American. I believe in God and the Judeo-Christian values upon which our nation was founded. I detest political correctness, because the truth matters more," said Carson.
"As a people, we've allowed ourselves to be bullied by a dishonest media and a permanent political class. We're not supposed to use certain words or talk about certain subjects because somewhere, someone might be offended. I'm running for President to beat back this dangerous trend," he said. "I want to revive America's exceptional spirit and re-establish a government that is truly of, by and for the people."
Carson admitted in the email to his supporters that "it's been difficult" while urging them to help him bypass the media.
"I'll be honest, it's been difficult. I've never seen a media so intent on twisting my words and misleading those who they're supposed to serve — the American public," he said.
"The Iowa Caucuses are on February 1st. Decisions will be made and people will begin to vote for our next President. It may seem like a long way off, but it will be here before we know it," he continued.
"My campaign is in the midst of reserving airtime so we can run ads on TV and get my message directly to the people who matter most — the voters. It's time to bypass the filter of the media, and only you can help me do it," he added.
