In the age of 24/7 social media we’re used to to watching police chases and fires as they happen, but now we can witness the ongoing collapse of a presidential campaign. Over the past few months, even though Ben Carson’s campaign has been riven by internal divisions, it has done well in fundraising—earlier today it was announced that Carson had raised more money than any of his rivals in the fourth quarter of 2015.
But today those divisions burst into view. The focal point of conflict has been between close Carson adviser Armstrong Williams and campaign manager Barry Bennett. Apparently Carson and Williams had been planning a shake-up, but this morning Bennett pre-empted their plans by resigning. The whole spectacle unfolded on Twitter where readers of Washington Post writer Robert Costa could follow the chaos as it occurred. Communications director Doug Watts also stepped down.
CHAOS: I am on phone w/ Armstrong Williams as he gets the news. Carson calling him on other phone. "Doctor? Doctor, wait a second. What?"
— Robert Costa (@costareports) December 31, 2015
NEWS: Barry Bennett on phone now w/ @washingtonpost: "My frustration level has peaked with Dr. Carson's outside advisers." He has resigned.
— Robert Costa (@costareports) December 31, 2015
CARSON asked BENNETT to please think through decision this morning, give it a day. But over phone, Bennett declined. It's over, he told doc.
— Robert Costa (@costareports) December 31, 2015
Barry Bennett to @washingtonpost pic.twitter.com/CR6N7YMVvj
— Robert Costa (@costareports) December 31, 2015