Republican Ben Carson argued Sunday that he has the record to challenge terrorism as president, saying that among the 2016 presidential contenders he has the “most experience” making life or death decisions.
The former neurosurgeon dismissed his sliding poll numbers as attention has shifted towards national security in the wake of attacks in Paris and California, as well as criticism of his lack of a foreign policy record. Rather, he contended his surgical background proves he can handle the weightiest decisions.
{mosads}“You have to look at a person’s lifetime experiences,” Carson said on “Fox News Sunday.” “Of all the people running, I’ve probably had the most experience making critical life and death decisions. Probably far more 2 a.m. calls than anyone else.”
Carson went on to say that his record can stand up against any GOP challengers.
“It’s not necessarily the one that shouts the loudest,” he said. “There’s nobody running that has a great deal of international experience except for Hillary Clinton, and you see where that has led.”
Asked about how to deal with the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS), Carson did not delve into specifics but said a comprehensive approach is required.
“We need not kowtow to them. This is America, and we need to have a definitive and powerful strategy to defeat them,” he said. “There is no magic bullet. It’s going to have to be a conglomerate of things we’re going to have to do.”
He added that Americans should not be criticized for flagging people or actions they see as suspicious, pushing back against the notion that such behavior could be seen as intolerant.
“We have to stop demonizing people who are trying to be good citizens,” he said.