Carson: Race not ‘much of a factor’ in campaign

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson said he doesn’t believe race “has been much of a factor at all” in his campaign.

Carson, a retired neurosurgeon whose rags-to-riches story and daring operations earned him scores of honors, said that even in a “very race-sensitive” society, his own race hasn’t affected his campaign.

“I haven’t felt anything that I can notice from it. There is no question that a lot of places that I go, they are lily-white places. But people have been very enthusiastic,” Carson told The Washington Post.

Carson said his doesn’t change his message for different demographic groups but added, “If you’re black in this race, no matter what you do, somebody is going to try to interpret it on the basis of your race. It’s just the way it is.”

Carson also addressed recent protests over the deaths of African-Americans killed by police shootings and while in police custody. He said he understands the frustrations of the black community and police officers and wants to move toward constructive solutions.

“The rotten apples reflect so badly on everybody,” said Carson. “There is no question we have to work on the relationships, work on being more sensitive as a society.”