Carson: Cruz's 'Devastating' Actions in Iowa Now 'Water Under the Bridge'

Ben Carson said Friday that his argument with Ted Cruz over campaign staffers saying his Iowa campaign was over during the caucuses is now "water under the bridge," but admitted he still believes the incidents were "devastating" to his campaign.

"Well, of course it's a question of character," the retired neurosurgeon and GOP
presidential candidate told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program.

"Character is also indicated by the kind of people that you protect and that you surround yourself with. And the situation in Iowa, I'm willing to forgive Ted Cruz. He said that he didn't know that that was going on."

But at the same time, Carson said his volunteers were "just devastated" at the news, and it was "just despicable."

Moving forward into South Carolina, Carson said he has faith that he'll do well, as he understands the people there and feels they understand him. But, he said that even if he does not prevail in the state, after his low finish in New Hampshire, that does not mean his race won't go forward.

"I reassess the future of the campaign every day," Carson said. "I had no expectation of doing well in New Hampshire and a lot of people who spent millions of dollars there and many, many weeks there didn't do that well, either. I was able to foresee that and you have to pick your battles."

In South Carolina, Carson continued, there are many important points to drive home, but he believes many people are concerned about "the lack of honesty and integrity in the government . . . and they don't tell people what the truth is."

"People don't understand that our financial foundation is crumbling and when somebody comes along and says 'free college for everyone,' everybody says, 'Oh, wow, this is great!'" said Carson, taking a dig at Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

"They have no idea we're just marching off the cliff."

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