Politico Survey: 71 Percent Think Carson Weakest on Foreign Policy

In the wake of last week's terror attacks in Paris – combined with missteps on international issues – Ben Carson's status as a leading presidential candidate is in jeopardy as Politico reports that the retired neurosurgeon has failed to articulate a coherent foreign policy or show knowledge on the issues.

The Politico caucus surveyed Republicans on which candidate is the most vulnerable on foreign policy, and Carson leads the pack with a whopping 71 percent. According to the survey:

Ben Carson, 71 percent;
Rand Paul, 9 percent;
Donald Trump, 7 percent;
Marco Rubio, 4 percent;
Chris Christie, 3 percent;
Jeb Bush, 3 percent;
Ted Cruz, 1 percent;
Lindsey Graham, 1 percent;

"He clearly has no idea what he’s talking about," said one South Carolina Republican, according to Politico.

While foreign affairs has never been Carson's strong suit, the issue took on a new form after the tragic events in Paris last week. Since the events, Carson has struggled to speak intelligently on the issues and according to a New York Times interview, an 83-year-old Carson adviser was quoted as saying the candidate has needed intense coaching "to make him smart."

An Iowa GOP insider added, that "Carson is so clueless, he thinks the Kurds are a special kind of Wisconsin cheese."

Despite front-runner Donald Trump's lack of experience on foreign policy, the real estate mogul was placed in third with 7 percent. And, according to Politico, Carson's discomfort on the issues has "actually been making Trump look better by comparison."

"Even if Trump's message comes off as abrasive on foreign policy, he seems to have a better grasp," said a Nevada Republican. "Carson does not seem coherent on foreign policy at all."

On the Democratic side, the majority of those surveyed said Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was the most vulnerable on foreign policy, and has mainly focused on income inequality while on the campaign trail.

The poll shows:

Bernie Sanders, 62 percent;
Martin O'Malley, 25 percent;
Hillary Clinton, 13 percent

A South Carolina Democrat noted that Carson is "so passionate about working class issues, and then on foreign policy, it's like 'Yadda, yadda, yadda.'"

An Iowa Democrat added, "Clinton inhabits a unique space where she can speak cogently about the dangers in this world, but also optimistically, which will bring in base Democratic voters."

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