Retired neurosurgeon blames ‘secular progressives’ for making certain subjects ‘off limits’ to discuss as he takes swipe at welfare programs

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A defiant Ben Carson returned to campaign in his home state on Wednesday, as the retired neurosurgeon continued to push back against the firestorm he ignited this week after saying that he did not believe a Muslim should be president.

Carson, the Republican presidential candidate gaining ground on the frontrunner Donald Trump in recent weeks, told reporters that “political correctness” bears the responsibility for the criticism he has faced since Sunday, when he said he would “not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation”.

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After initially standing by the comments, the Detroit native has begun an attempt to partly walk back his remarks, something he continued on Wednesday at a press conference in Jackson, Michigan, in front of a plaque commemorating the spot of the GOP’s birthplace in 1854.

“We have an American culture and we have an American constitution and anybody who’s going to occupy our White House should be living in a pattern that is consistent with our constitution and our culture,” Carson said.

Surrounded by supporters wearing “I’m with Ben” stickers, the Tea Party darling also said he would push a six-month amnesty for US corporations holding money in overseas account where taxes are lower. If the funds are turned to US soil, “it wouldn’t cost you anything”, he said.

“The only stipulation would be that 10% of the money you’d bring has to be used to create jobs for people who are unemployed and on welfare,” Carson said.

The policy has echoes of one outlined by fellow Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul.

Later in the afternoon, Carson attended a campaign rally at Spring Arbor University, a Free Methodist church college located about 90 miles west of Detroit. The amiable crowd of 3,000 quickly warmed up to Carson, a devout Christian.

“I am always happy to get back home because there’s no place like home,” Carson said. “It’s one of the reasons I want to make sure that we preserve America as the land of opportunity.”

Carson did not directly address the controversy surrounding his remarks on Muslims during his near half-hour speech, but the 64-year-old hinted at it when he mustered another attack against political correctness in the US.

“Political correctness is imposed by the secular progressives and those who wish to fundamentally change our society,” he said to applause. “Therefore, they make things off limits to talk about, but you know what? I’m going to talk about it anyway.”

Carson, the only black candidate in either the Republican and Democratic field, also took a shot at welfare programs, a chief talking point for the political neophyte.

“It is not the government’s job to take care of everybody’s needs,” he said.