Ben Carson has had a distinguished career. He is a trailblazer in medicine and a leader in the African-American community.

Now he’s seeking the Republican nomination for President. Also, he is telling us who shouldn’t be President.

Recently, on Meet the Press, Carson said he “would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation.”

Following up on Fox News, Carson muddied the waters a bit with his mention of “Sharia law,” something sure to get a certain political base frothing.

There were periods in this nation’s history where most Americans would have balked at the idea of a president who was a woman. Or a Catholic. Or a Mormon. Or African American. Some of those barriers have since been broken. Others will remain in place so long as those with power continue to pander to some of our worst, deepseated prejudices.

Thankfully, there are leaders, both Republican and Democrat, who have stepped up to denounce Carson’s statements.

“Ben Carson questioned Muslim Americans’ devotion to the United States,” said Sen. Minority Leader Harry Reid. “He questioned their integrity. And then Ben Carson unilaterally disqualified every Muslim-America from becoming President of the United States.”

Reid, in condemning Carson’s statements on the Senate floor, invoked the name of American Muslim Kareem Khan of New Jersey, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, killed in Iraq.

Unlike Khan, Carson never served in the military. In fairness, we will say that Carson has unquestionably saved lives as a doctor, but he has never been asked to lay down his own.

Of course, there’s nothing in the Constitution that mandates that the Commander-In-Chief must be a veteran.

Speaking of which, it’s unfortunate that Carson can’t include a familiarity with the Constitution with the rest of the areas of his expertise. The soft-spoken doctor really ought to take a look at the document — it’s a fascinating read. Also, it’s the law of the land.

In a message on Twitter, former GOP nominee Mitt Romney invoked Article VI, paragraph three, which states, in part : “… no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

Those looking to be President should be as thoroughly versed in the Constitution as they are in their stump speeches and talking points.

Or, to put it another way, we would not advocate that we put someone unfamiliar with the Constitution in charge of this nation.