Ben Carson would 'not advocate' for a Muslim president, campaign tries to save face (Video)

Dr. Ben Carson, who is running for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, said in an interview Sunday morning that he would not vote for a Muslim to be president. The comment sparked a firestorm and his campaign tried to clarify his statements.

While on Meet The Press Sunday, Carson said he didn’t think that Islam is compatible with the U.S. Constitution, even though the constitution states that religion can not be considered a qualification to run for office. He also said that he would not vote for a Muslim presidential candidate.

“I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that,” Carson told host Chuck Todd.

The former neurosurgeon, who has never held political office, told Todd that faith should matter to voters. “If it's inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter,” he said of a potential candidate’s faith.

After the interview, the Council on American-Islamic Relations called for Carson to drop out of the race. But his campaign later told NBC News that Carson’s comments were misconstrued.

“He did not say that a Muslim should be prevented from running, or barred from running in any way,” campaign spokesman Doug Watts told NBC. “He [Carson] just doesn't believe the American people are ready for that.” Watts later added that Carson does believe in freedom of religion, saying, “He has great respect for the Muslim community, but there is a huge gulf between the faith and practice of the Muslim faith, and our Constitution and American values.”

How the Republican candidates think of Islam became a topic after frontrunner Donald Trump failed to correct a supporter who said that President Barack Obama is a Muslim last week in New Hampshire.

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