Carson talks Confederate flag, discovers hush puppies
Neurosurgeon and GOP presidential hopeful Ben Carson is OK with the Confederate battle flag being flown at NASCAR races, but he’s still no fan of the emblem.
Carson was in scenic Randleman, N.C., on Monday where he picked up the quasi-endorsement of NASCAR legend Richard Petty and was asked about the flag. From the Associated Press’ Steve Peoples:
Carson told the AP that NASCAR fans should continue flying the flag "if it's private property and that's what they want to do."
He also acknowledged the flag remains "a symbol of hate" for many black people and compared it to the Nazi swastika.
"Swastikas are a symbol of hate for some people, too. And yet they still exist in museums and places like that," Carson said, describing the decision about flying the flag "a local issue." "If it's a majority of people in that area who want it to fly, I certainly wouldn't take it down."
Carson stopped for lunch in Lexington, where he sampled some of the town’s famous barbecue and had an historic encounter with fried cornbread. AP again:
"What are these?" he asked his wife, pointing to a small fried morsel as they began to eat. "Hush puppies," she responded.
A spokesman later confirmed that Monday was Carson's first time eating hush puppies, a popular southern side dish.
