Meet Ben Carson: First Republican to Throw His Hat in 2016 Ring (no announcement)

[Virgil]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/meet-ben-carson-republican-throw-hat-2016-ring/story?id=26735300

Yes, the 2016 race for the White House has already gotten started -- and it looks like Dr. Ben Carson is first in the ring.
Carson, a famous pediatric neurosurgeon and conservative political star, will air a nearly 40 minute-long ad introducing himself to the American people this weekend, an aide to Carson confirms to ABC News.
The documentary titled “A Breath of Fresh Air: A New Prescription for America” will air in 22 states and Washington, DC. The paid video will detail some of his biography and family life, including his rise from being born to a single mother with a poor childhood in Detroit to director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins for almost 40 years, known for his work separating conjoined twins, to potential 2016 presidential candidate.

-virgil

 

[CaptUSA]

In before the Carson-bashing...

This is a good man and a potential ally. May not agree with you 100%, but don't be foolish.

 

[Dianne]

I really like Carson and hoping Rand might consider him as a running mate.

 

[jmdrake]

I wish Ben Carson well in his evangelistic effort. (And I'm being serious).

 

[westkyle]

Rand Paul or nothing. I'd vote for Hillary just to spite. It's not like things are going to change with any other candidates.

 

[CaptUSA]

I really like Carson and hoping Rand might consider him as a running mate.

At the very least, I think he'd make one hell of a surgeon general!

 

[r3volution 3.0]

Ugh, I'm sick of hearing about this guy.

Reminds me of Herman Cain (not, not because he's black! because he's a joke candidate with no chance whatsoever).

But, that doesn't mean I hate the man. He seems okay personally.

 

[liberalnurse]

Ugh, I'm sick of hearing about this guy.

Reminds me of Herman Cain (not, not because he's black! because he's a joke candidate with no chance whatsoever).

But, that doesn't mean I hate the man. He seems okay personally.

You mean like Ron Paul was? Look I'm for Rand all the way but don't under estimate Ben Carson. There have been several LTE in my local paper. I've had co-workers ask me about him. And the kicker is, about 3 weeks ago we were @ a Kubota dealer in the middle of nowhere here in rural PA and what do I see hanging at the service desk? A Poster of Ben Carson that said, "Run Ben Run." I took the opportunity to say nice things about him along with bringing Rand into the mix. We need to tread lightly here, IMHO.

 

[jmdrake]

You mean like Ron Paul was? Look I'm for Rand all the way but don't under estimate Ben Carson. There have been several LTE in my local paper. I've had co-workers ask me about him. And the kicker is, about 3 weeks ago we were @ a Kubota dealer in the middle of nowhere here in rural PA and what do I see hanging at the service desk? A Poster of Ben Carson that said, "Run Ben Run." I took the opportunity to say nice things about him along with bringing Rand into the mix. We need to tread lightly here, IMHO.

^This. Ron Paul ran a libertarian evangelistic campaign. He was surprised as anyone that it caught on. Ben Carson will be running a "sermon on the mount" evangelical campaign. (The stuff that got Ron booed in South Carolina.) He doesn't have a chance at winning, but it will be a nice addition to the dialog.

 

[CaptUSA]

You mean like Ron Paul was? Look I'm for Rand all the way but don't under estimate Ben Carson. There have been several LTE in my local paper. I've had co-workers ask me about him. And the kicker is, about 3 weeks ago we were @ a Kubota dealer in the middle of nowhere here in rural PA and what do I see hanging at the service desk? A Poster of Ben Carson that said, "Run Ben Run." I took the opportunity to say nice things about him along with bringing Rand into the mix. We need to tread lightly here, IMHO.

Yep. I'm pretty sure Rand sees him as an ally. They posted the link on Rand's FB page and the comments are split about 50/50. Lot's of us see the benefit, but there's still idiots out there that will see him as a threat and will try to hurt his image.

 

[r3volution 3.0]

You mean like Ron Paul was?

True, Ron had the same chance as Cain, i.e. ~0%.

The difference is: we're still here.

What happened to the "Cain Train"? (ROFL)

Ron was a movement candidate: the movement was there before 2012 and is still here today.

Cain's "movement" began and ended with his Presidential campaign.

Big difference.

Look I'm for Rand all the way but don't under estimate Ben Carson. There have been several LTE in my local paper. I've had co-workers ask me about him. And the kicker is, about 3 weeks ago we were @ a Kubota dealer in the middle of nowhere here in rural PA and what do I see hanging at the service desk? A Poster of Ben Carson that said, "Run Ben Run." I took the opportunity to say nice things about him along with bringing Rand into the mix. We need to tread lightly here, IMHO.

There's been a lot of time and money spent to recruit him, I'm not sure that translates into a meaningful showing in the primaries, even assuming he decides to run. But my point is simply that (1) I know he won't win, and (2) I know that his "movement" will not outlast his Presidential campaign (if he runs one), so I view him as a distraction, and so I'm sick of hearing about it.

No need to argue about it though. You can just consider me a curmudgeon and move on.

 

[liberalnurse]

No need to argue about it though. You can just consider me a curmudgeon and move on.

 

[CaptUSA]

Cain's "movement" began and ended with his Presidential campaign.

Carson is not Cain. Not even close. (I'm guessing you don't realize how insulting that is. Try reading a Carson book and tell me if you still have that same sentiment.)


That being said, I'll agree that Carson won't win the nomination. While he has a lot of passion behind him, he doesn't have the infrastructure or experience necessary to mount a serious campaign. So instead of trying to beat down someone who isn't going to win, wouldn't it be much wiser to develop a coalition with his supporters? There is so much crossover appeal between him and Paul. Way more than him and Cain.

 

[Kotin]

In before the Carson-bashing...

This is a good man and a potential ally. May not agree with you 100%, but don't be foolish.

what he is, is a 100% media creation.. you know how many people just like this guy run for president?? a lot! you know how many get any coverage let alone legitimate coverage?

this guy should not be trusted so quickly jesus christ.. the last media creation of the same type was barack obama.. why is this guys name even mentioned?? you really should ask yourself that.. never held office, never been involved in politics..

but saying the right things is enough for you??? he showed up out of nowhere and the media does not do shit unless money or special interests are involved.

 

[CaptUSA]

what he is, is a 100% media creation.. you know how many people just like this guy run for president?? a lot! you know how many get any coverage let alone legitimate coverage?

this guy should not be trusted so quickly jesus christ.. the last media creation of the same type was barack obama.. why is this guys name even mentioned?? you really should ask yourself that.. never held office, never been involved in politics..

but saying the right things is enough for you??? he showed up out of nowhere and the media does not do shit unless money or special interests are involved.

He did NOT show up out of nowhere. YOU just didn't know about him. Hell, they made a movie about him more than 5 years ago based on his 1990 book.

Please. I beg you. End your ignorance. Read a couple of his books.

The reason you are just hearing about him politically is because of the prayer breakfast, but he's been around for a long time writing and speaking in terms of opportunity and achievement. Having read a couple of his books, I got a sense of where he stands. I'm not with him 100%, but he's certainly on our side.

 

[jmdrake]

what he is, is a 100% media creation.. you know how many people just like this guy run for president?? a lot! you know how many get any coverage let alone legitimate coverage?

this guy should not be trusted so quickly jesus christ.. the last media creation of the same type was barack obama.. why is this guys name even mentioned?? you really should ask yourself that.. never held office, never been involved in politics..

but saying the right things is enough for you??? he showed up out of nowhere and the media does not do shit unless money or special interests are involved.

Media creation? Are you freaking kidding me? Ben Carson was household name long before Ron Paul was. Comparing him to Barack Obama is an insult to Ben Carson. If you must make a creation, then consider Ronald Reagan or Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Again, insults to Carson in my opinion). Both of those men, like Carson, were well known for something other than politics when they first ran for office.

 

[Kotin]

Media creation? Are you freaking kidding me? Ben Carson was household name long before Ron Paul was. Comparing him to Barack Obama is an insult to Ben Carson. If you must make a creation, then consider Ronald Reagan or Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Again, insults to Carson in my opinion). Both of those men, like Carson, were well known for something other than politics when they first ran for office.

in terms of politics, yes.. there are a lot of similarly popular people who would be called long shots and jokes in the same position..

 

[RonPaulGeorge&Ringo]

He is a joke candidate looking to build a brand. The only question is, is he willing to deal with Rand down the line, or is he just a Bush/RNC plant from the get?

 

[CaptUSA]

in terms of politics, yes.. there are a lot of similarly popular people who would be called long shots and jokes in the same position..

You know, a conciliatory, "Oh, I didn't realize how ignorant I was" response would have sufficed.

 

[Dianne]

Ugh, I'm sick of hearing about this guy.

Reminds me of Herman Cain (not, not because he's black! because he's a joke candidate with no chance whatsoever).

But, that doesn't mean I hate the man. He seems okay personally.

I have no idea why Carson reminds you of Herman Cain... The only common denominator I see is both are black.. Don't tell me you're a racist? Look at their educational backgrounds and employment backgrounds. Carson does know the U.S. is not comprised of 57 states... something Obama doesn't know; nor Herman Cain.

I'm going off my seat waiting for you to explain why Carson reminds you of Herman Cain.