Dr. Ben Carson has become a favorite of many Christian voters because of his faith-based proposals, evident belief in God’s miracles, and winning personality. That—plus a home run answer on the question of racism at the Fox News debate that went viral—catapulted Carson near the front of the pack in Iowa and made him the closest thing to a real competitor Donald Trump has seen.
Now, seeing himself surging in the polls, Dr. Carson has decided to take off the gloves by questioning Donald Trump’s faith—and in the process, he actually bragged about his own humility.
At a campaign rally in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday a female reporter asked Carson about his similarities with Trump, a fellow political outsider. “What do you think the main characteristics are that differentiate you two?” she asked.
“Well, probably the biggest thing is that I realize where my successes comes from, and I don’t in any way deny my faith in God,” Carson responded. “And I think probably that is a big differentiater.”
Somewhat taken aback, a male reporter asked if he believed Trump was insincere in his faith.
“I haven’t heard it. I haven’t seen it,” Carson said.
“You know, one of my favorite Bible verses [is] Proverbs 22:4. It says, ‘By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life.’ And that’s a very big part of who I am—humility and the fear of the Lord. I don’t get that impression with him. Maybe I’m wrong. I don’t get that impression.”
The exchange reminds me of an old joke: “My church gave me a humble award, but they took it back, because I accepted it.”
Trump responded on Twitter last night (although for unexplained reasons, the message says it was tweeted on “Sept. 10”):
Wow, I am ahead of the field with Evangelicals (am so proud of this) and virtually every other group, and Ben Carson just took a swipe at me
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Sept. 10, 2015
So, what do you think? Is Carson hypocritical in bragging about his humility? Is Trump as devout as he lets on?
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