If all else fails, attack the messenger. That seems to be the Republican presidential candidates strategy when it comes to answering tough questions from journalists.

On CNNs New Day Friday, GOP candidate Ben Carson was strangely combative with host Alisyn Camerota, who pressed him on a number of his recent controversial comments, including the claim that many Americans are stupid and that wed be Cuba if it werent for Fox News.

I did work at Fox for many years and I do have many friends there still who are are excellent journalists, but Im not sure that even they think that without their reporting, we would be Cuba, Camerota said in the segment. You mean that if Fox News didnt exist, we would be a communist country?

Carson bristled at the question.

There you go with sensationalism, he snapped. Thats what you try to do -- you hope somehow that will resonate with people who dont think for themselves.

Dr. Carson, Im quoting -- Im not even quoting you; Im playing your words, Camerota responded. You are the person who said there are a lot of people who are stupid and without Fox News, we would be Cuba.

Carson then implied Camerota was among the stupid Americans hed described as stupid.

Are you honestly telling me you didnt know what I was talking about when I said that? Because if you are, you might fit in that category, Carson said.

In a subsequent interview with "The Wrap ," Camerota said she was stunned at Carsons hostility during the interview. The idea that CNN is trying to smear Carson, she said, is completely erroneous and out of bounds.

It sure does seem to be a narrative in this election cycle that its a referendum on the media, Camerota told the outlet.