Conservative presidential candidate Ben Carson has unapologetically defended his comments comparing President Barack Obama to a psychopath.
In an interview with CNBC's online series "Speakeasy with John Harwood," the retired pediatric neurosurgeon said the description was justified because the president appears to brazenly lie to the American people about the unemployment rate.
"Obama, you referred to him as a psychopath," Harwood said. "What did you mean by that?"
"I said he reminds you of a psychopath," Carson corrected.
"And tell me how," Harwood pressed.
"Because they tend to be extremely smooth, charming people, who can tell a lie to your face with complete — it looks like sincerity, even though they know it's a lie," Carson replied.
"Do you think he's a liar?" Harwood asked.
"Well, I think he knows full well the unemployment rate is not 5.5 percent," Carson said. "He knows that. He knows that people who are not well-informed will swallow it hook, line, and sinker, even though they're sitting there in the city and can't find a job."
In the wide-ranging interview, Carson also talked about his political philosophy and adjusting to life in the public eye.
"I have come to understand that if you say something that keeps people from being able to hear your actual message, then there's no point in saying it," said Carson, who has been a vocal opponent of what he says is political correctness in politics and the media.
He stressed his commitment to the constitutional conservatism.
"We think the only people who can handle the kinds of decisions that need to be made ... are people who are steeped in politics," he told Harwood.
"When I go back and look at the Constitution and I look at the writings of the people who put all this together, they never thought there should be this political class or this political pedigree that was necessary. I think what they felt was necessary was wisdom and a love for our Constitution and a love for our country and common sense."
In an interview with CNBC's online series "Speakeasy with John Harwood," the retired pediatric neurosurgeon said the description was justified because the president appears to brazenly lie to the American people about the unemployment rate.
"I said he reminds you of a psychopath," Carson corrected.
"And tell me how," Harwood pressed.
"Because they tend to be extremely smooth, charming people, who can tell a lie to your face with complete — it looks like sincerity, even though they know it's a lie," Carson replied.
"Do you think he's a liar?" Harwood asked.
"Well, I think he knows full well the unemployment rate is not 5.5 percent," Carson said. "He knows that. He knows that people who are not well-informed will swallow it hook, line, and sinker, even though they're sitting there in the city and can't find a job."
In the wide-ranging interview, Carson also talked about his political philosophy and adjusting to life in the public eye.
He stressed his commitment to the constitutional conservatism.
"We think the only people who can handle the kinds of decisions that need to be made ... are people who are steeped in politics," he told Harwood.
"When I go back and look at the Constitution and I look at the writings of the people who put all this together, they never thought there should be this political class or this political pedigree that was necessary. I think what they felt was necessary was wisdom and a love for our Constitution and a love for our country and common sense."
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