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| Dr. Ben Carson (google image) |
Famous neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson declared candidacy in his hometown of Detroit with a theme of freeing our nation of the overbearing government it has become. Our federal government being responsible for just the few things our Founding Fathers intended can know longer be seen in the rearview mirror. Carson assured those in attendance at the Detroit Music Hall (which is not far from the school bearing his name) that he is not anti-government but that Washington has overreached in exercising constitutional powers.
Dr.Carson is not a career politician (which explains some of his controversial statements) but instead is the former head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins. His work inspired the movie "Gifted Hands" where Carson performed the first surgery separating twins connected at the head. Dr. Carson also wrote the book "America the Beautiful" which translated into public speaking about conservative themes for example the National Prayer Breakfast in 2013. This is the occasion where conservatives embraced him after his criticizing of the nation's overall direction with President Obama a few seats away.
So can Ben Carson win the nomination?
Where the rubber meets the road...
No! Don't get me wrong Dr. Carson seems to be a socially conservative and strong Christian man. He opposes abortion rights and "same sex marriage". All good in my book!
But...
there are three things in my view keeping him from having a chance. First Dr. Carson has zero foreign policy experience. In today's world with ISIS and Iran's Nuclear Program breathing down our nation's throat now is not the time for a novice. He said in a recent interview he had been studying up for a couple of weeks- it's not enough.
Second there is to many Christian conservatives already in his lane trying to get the nomination. One is Mike Huckabee who has experience not only as a governor but has already won primaries in Iowa and several southern states. Despite Carson being a non-politician which many are wanting the task will be too difficult. I just don't see it!
Third and I think most damaging- his controversial remarks. In reality other than his wonderful work as a surgeon the controversial statements is what he is known for. Again don't get me wrong he is right that political correctness in our country has gone the way of the nomad. Furthermore he has admitted the inappropriateness of some of the comments and blamed it on his not being a professional politician. Dr. Carson has stated it was now his intention to stay away from issues that might get him in "trouble" but I have a feeling temptation when dangled by the media will just be to great. Blaming the ridiculous level that political correctness has gone is fine for a conservative commentator but it will not fly as President.
On the other hand I could be wrong. Maybe his weakness in foreign policy can be overcome by surrounding himself with the right people and maybe the electorate wanting a nonpolitician is stronger than I think which will distinguish him in the crowded field. After all most polls show around 15% have no confidence in the federal government and around 80% are unhappy with Washington.
To be honest I am rarely wrong (joke!) but he seems to be such a strong Christian I almost hope that I am. Most of you are probably familiar with his more questionable comments so I want to give you some other quotes by Dr. Carson.
"I always pray for God's guidance in my life and he always provides it. He opens the right doors he shuts the right doors. And I have faith in Him."
"Those of us who believe in God and derive our sense of right and wrong and ethics from God's Word really have no difficulty whatsoever defining where our ethics come from."
"The most important thing for me is having a relationship with God. To know that the owner, the creator of the universe loves you, sent His Son to die for your sins; that's very empowering. Knowing Him and knowing that He loves me gives me encouragement and confidence to move forward."
So now you can see why I like him and he just might be able to fix our Health Care problems. Maybe his controversial remarks can be overcome? He certainly wouldn't be the first President to say controversial things. Didn't President Obama say things like:
1) He had visited 57 states with one left to go
2) We won't negotiate with terrorists
3) His administration would be the most transparent in history
4) Benghazi was about a movie
5) The IRS is not targeting anyone
6) If you like your family doctor and health care plan you can keep it- period
And finally my personal favorite after working almost twenty years with the mentally and physically handicapped.
7) He compared his Bowling score to those of the Special Olympics.
In Closing...
"Through hard work, perseverance and a faith in God, you can live your dreams."- Dr. Ben Carson
Related Article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2015/05/03/ben-carson-president-republican-announcement/26633041/
