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Ben Carson: In his own words

Five quotes from controversial Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson.

John Minchillo / Associated press

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson sing "God Bless America" during a campaign rally in Cincinnati on Sept. 22, 2015.

In his own words

Ben Carson says he’s not politically correct. That is true. Here are five of his many incendiary quotes:

On religion and the presidency:

“I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.”

Max Whittaker/The New York Times

San Quentin State Prison in California, where in 2014. more than 740 inmates were on death row.

On whether homosexuality is a choice:

“A lot of people who go into prison straight and when they come out they’re gay, so did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question.”

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Sisters and Tea Party members of Atlanta, Georgia, Judy Burel (L) and Janis Haddon (R), protest Obamacare in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, DC in 2012.

On Obamacare:

“Obamacare is really, I think, the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery. And it is in a way, it is slavery in a way, because it is making all of us subservient to the government. And it was never about health care. It was about control.”

Kevork Djansezian

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson saw his polling numbers surge nationally following his performance in the first Republican debate in August.

On America:

“Very much like Nazi Germany. And I know you’re not supposed to say ‘Nazi Germany,’ but I don’t care about political correctness. You know, you had a government using its tools to intimidate the population. We now live in a society where people are afraid to say what they actually believe. And it’s because of the PC police, it’s because of politicians, it’s because of news.”

On gun control:

“As a doctor, I spent many a night pulling bullets out of bodies. There is no doubt that this senseless violence is breathtaking — but I never saw a body with bullet holes that was more devastating than taking the right to arm ourselves away.”