Republican presidential candidate and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told American Muslims on Fox Monday that, despite what GOP rival Ben Carson said, it was their country too.
Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, was asked on Sunday by NBC host Chuck Todd if a President’s faith mattered — and whether he thought Islam was consistent with the Constitution.
“I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation,” Carson told Todd.
On Fox, Graham noted that he had served with American Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“So, I want to let every American Muslim serving in uniform know that I honor your service. I want to be your commander in chief. Dr. Carson is a good man, but he’s created a religious test that our Constitution prohibits,” Graham said on Fox. “And to the American Muslim community, this is your country, too. We’re all in it together. To those American Muslims who have joined the American military to fight radical Islam, God bless you.”
Graham also said on social media Sunday that Carson should apologize:
@RealBenCarson is not ready to be Commander-In-Chief. America is an idea, not owned by a particular religion.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 20, 2015
@RealBenCarson needs to apologize to American Muslims. He is a good doctor, but clearly not prepared to lead a great nation.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 20, 2015
