Ben Carson's campaign responds to outrage over comments on Islam

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Ben Carson is in trouble over controversial remarks that he made recently suggesting that the United States should not elect a Muslim to be president.

During an interview on Sunday with NBC’s Meet The Press, Carson said, “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.”

He was then asked if a candidate’s faith should really matter to voters, to which he replied, “I guess it depends on what that faith is. If it’s inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter.” He went on to say that he did not think Islam was consistent with the Constitution.

Since then, campaign spokesman Doug Watts has tried to push back against the outrage over the comments, saying the interview should be “watched or read carefully,” reports NBC News.

“[Carson] did not say that a Muslim should be prevented from running, or barred from running in any way,” Watts said. “He just doesn’t believe the American people are ready for that.”

“Dr. Carson is a strict adherent to the First Amendment — freedom of religion. That includes people of all faith,” Watts said, according to NBC News. “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.”