Dr. Ben Carson, Not Rubio to be Rand's biggest challenger. (Opinion)

[itshappening]

Obama was polling, for almost a year, 20% lower than Clinton before winning Iowa.

Obama was a United States senator and won big in the state of Illinois.

These flavor of the month characters have done nothing politically and therefore the odds they can grab a party nomination are slim to none.

 

[PaleoPaul]

Obama was polling, for almost a year, 20% lower than Clinton before winning Iowa.

Hillary was always the presumed nominee, though. On November 3, 2004, the day after Bush got re-elected, Hannity was already starting his "Stop Hillary!" campaign. Liberal groups were talking about how they were going to work hard to get Hillary in the White House. Obama was interviewed shortly after Election Day 2004 and denied that he was going to run in 2008, saying he needed a few years of experience before vying for such a major office.

Rand may be the favorite right now, but I still think Christie or Rubio is the "presumed" nominee. Rand is the desired nominee, which is different, IMO.

 

[itshappening]

Hillary was always the presumed nominee, though. On November 3, 2004, the day after Bush got re-elected, Hannity was already starting his "Stop Hillary!" campaign. Liberal groups were talking about how they were going to work hard to get Hillary in the White House.

Rand may be the favorite right now, but I still think Christie or Rubio is the "presumed" nominee. Rand is the desired nominee, which is different, IMO.

No, they can't presume anything. No one can presume what an Iowa or New Hampshire resident will do in 3 years time.

Rand is a strong favorite based on a number of factors. His profile of winning a primary and senate election and his fathers base and network give him a huge leg up. He also happens to be an appealing and populist candidate who packages the message very well for the typical GOP voter.

The likes of Rubio are going to have work extremely hard to get votes in Iowa and New Hampshire. They can't just show up and expect the hype machine to make them the nominee.

 

[cocrehamster]

I don't think he's a threat in the primary but I think he could be a great VP pick if Rand wins it. I don't know that much about him but I liked what he had to say at the prayer breakfast and at CPAC.

 

[Working Poor]

They should run together...

 

[fearthereaperx]

They should run together...

It's going to take more than one doctor to cure the country.

Paul/Carson 2016

 

[Article V]

Why are we entertaining the premise of this thread? There's is absolutely zero chance Dr. Carson will run for President in 2016. He has expressed no interest in running for any political office, and I seriously doubt his first attempt will be to become the Commander in Chief of the most powerful military force in human history. The guy isn't a moron; but he'd have to be a moron to run for President in 2016. Not only would he have no chance at winning, but he'd be bankrupting himself. Where are the magic donors who are going to throw their money away on a guy who has no chance at winning?

I vote we let this thread die.

 

[BlackTerrel]

Keep telling yourself that but really he had no shot and imploded faster than any candidate in recent memory.

Just because someone is on FOX news a lot does not mean they can win Iowa, New Hampshire and SC's presidential polls. It is a mammoth undertaking and can't just be won by being on tv or the radio a lot or even big on the internet or talked about by the chattering classes.

Social media does not change an Iowa's residents mind or garner their support. Maybe good for raising money and your profile but pretty useless at winning actual states and therefore the presidential nomination.

This. Pretty much. Nails it.

It's one thing to give a couple speeches and get popular when no one is really coming after you.

It's another to campaign for ten months and be scrutinized for everything you may have ever done in your entire life and face debate and push back. That is why people who are not professional (including sadly Ron Paul) usually do not have a chance in winning. We all love Ron but he made some serious blunders and his campaign was not run professionally.

Rand is basically Ron but has fixed these issues and is more buttoned up and ready for a run.

 

[TaftFan]

Carson for Surgeon General!

No, seriously.

 

[brandon]

I still have no clue who he is other than a black doctor, but I heard him on NPR today. They were making a big deal out of his 7th place finish. But if he was on NPR this far out, I suspect OP might be sort of right... this guy could be a media hyped player in 2015.

 

[Bastiat's The Law]

Could he be a VP for Rand?

 

[jmdrake]

Never even heard of him

Well he's worth learning about even if he never goes into politics. First person to successfully separate Siamese twins joined at the head an a pioneering neurosurgeon in other ways, has written multiple books, Cuba Gooding Jr. played Dr. Carson in a story about his life, and he (Dr. Carson) is still humble after all of that. Genuine all around good guy. I hope for his sake he never runs for office. He'd be good for this country, but I wouldn't wish that on him.

 

[jkob]

He'll only be a threat if Fox News decides he should be a threat. He is not going to be a serious contender for president in 2016.

 

[Cshelton21]

Be dismissive if you like.

Be prepared if you're smart.

This guy is getting attention from all of the right places and all of it has something to do with his presidential aspirations. Hannity loves the guy and gushes about him a lot. I'm not saying we should be worried, but we should entertain the debate against all of Rand's potential challengers

 

[jmdrake]

Be dismissive if you like.

Be prepared if you're smart.

This guy is getting attention from all of the right places and all of it has something to do with his presidential aspirations. Hannity loves the guy and gushes about him a lot. I'm not saying we should be worried, but we should entertain the debate against all of Rand's potential challengers

Or actively look to win over any potential allies. Sure Hannity et al are gushing as Dr. Carson is the GOP's latest "great black hope." (That's a knock on the GOP, not Dr. Carson). That said, he and Rand have quite a few things in common at least on the surface.