Dr. Ben Carson said Monday that a previous offer to publicly debate the Rev. Al Sharpton on quelling violence still stands.
Appearing Monday on Fox News Channel’s “America’s Newsroom,” the retired brain surgeon was asked to offer his views on Mr. Sharpton and his actions in Ferguson following the police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, Mediaite reported.
Mr. Carson said he had challenged the MSNBC host to a public debate back in May and that the civil rights activist considered the idea.
“I had an opportunity to speak with Rev. Sharpton a couple months ago at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” Mr. Carson explained. “I said, ’We want the same kinds of things, but we have very different approaches to achieving them. What do you think about a public debate to talk about the various ways that we can get this done?’ “
“He was initially enthusiastic about that, but the offer still stands,” he continued. “These are things that need to be discussed.”
Mr. Sharpton’s spokeswoman told Mediaite that he was unaware of the invitation to a public debate, but said he has extended “an open invitation” for Mr. Carson to come on the show.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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