GOP wants to broaden appeal; will candidates get in the way?

FILE - In this Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, file photo, Republican presidential candidate and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson speaks during a forum, in Manchester, N.H. Responding to a question during an interview broadcast Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, on NBC's "Meet the Press," Carson, a devout Christian, said Islam is antithetical to the Constitution and he doesn’t believe that a Muslim should be elected president. (AP Photo/Jim Cole, File) FILE - In this Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, file photo, Republican presidential candidate and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson speaks during a forum, in Manchester, N.H. Responding to a question during an interview broadcast Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, on NBC's "Meet the Press," Carson, a devout Christian, said Islam is antithetical to the Constitution and he doesn’t believe that a Muslim should be elected president. (AP Photo/Jim Cole, File)

By Associated Press September 21, 2015 4 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Republican Party’s plan to broaden its appeal with minority groups is clashing at times with comments from some of its presidential aspirants.

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson says he believes that Islam is inconsistent with the Constitution and “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation.”

Carson’s comments, aired Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” brought a quick rebuke from the head of the Democratic National Committee and a major advocacy group for Muslims, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which noted that the Constitution expressly bars a religious test for those seeking public office.

“You cannot hold these kinds of views and at the same time say you will represent all Americans, of all faiths and backgrounds,” said Ibrahim Hooper, the group’s spokesman.

For GOP leaders, the 2016 campaign offered a chance at redemption and a fresh pitch to minorities, gays, women and others beyond their traditional core supporters.