Posted on 08/20/2015 8:00:49 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Second place in Iowa. Top three nationally. No, it’s not Jeb Bush or Scott Walker -- it’s Ben Carson.
The neurosurgeon, who has never held elected office, is emerging from middle tier as a top contender after the first Republican debate.
Carson, the only black candidate in the 2016 presidential field, is polling at 12 percent in a national Fox News poll out Sunday and 14 percent in a CNN Iowa poll out last week -- good enough for second place in the GOP field behind only Donald Trump. Carson is in third place in a national CNN poll out Tuesday.
So, what’s behind Carson’s rise to the top tier?
The candidate is not the most eloquent in the Republican field, nor does he have the most experience or money. But in a campaign that has so far revolved around Donald Trump, Ben Carson brings to the table much of what Trump is – a Washington outsider, not a politician, authentic and genuine -- without the bombast and spectacle.
Instead, he embodies a compelling personal story -- from troubled youngster with a horrible temper to prominent neurosurgeon who became the youngest physician to ever head a major division at Johns Hopkins and the first to successfully separate Siamese twins joined at the head. And while the candidate isn’t the most charismatic on the stump, he often hits a rhythm while engaging with voters’ questions.
Carson is currently campaigning in Arizona, where he drew one of the largest crowds of the election cycle at the Phoenix Convention Center -- estimated at 12,000 people, according to his campaign. ABC News has not independently verified these numbers.
His campaign says his recent success is a product of the way he is aggressively reaching out to all Americans with his authenticity and speaking style.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
I guess the Republican party isn’t as racist as the leftie loons want to believe.
His “no liberty allowed” policy on vaccines and his referral of patients to abortionists are deal-breakers for me unfortunately.
Nice guy. Won’t last.
They wish
Sure it is. As ABC News pointed out above, there’s only one black candidate in the GOP fold.
Carson is appealing for the same reason as Donald Trump: He isn’t a professional politician and not afraid to speak his mind.
I’m not sure what you’re talking about with the “no liberty allowed” policy on vaccines. This was his statement on his FB account last night:
It’s that time of night again where I sit down and attempt to answer some of your questions. Please keep sending me your questions via email to AskBen@BenCarson.com.
Tonight I want to touch on a question I answered the other night about vaccinations. Again, I spent my life treating children, and as a neurosurgeon, I also know a fair bit about the developing brain. Some people keep saying I am for Government Mandated injections. The only mandates I am aware of are most public schools and a growing number of camps. I would never force anyone to do anything that is against their religious beliefs or a doctor’s advice. There are always exceptions. Nor am I for some new federal legislation. But please know I would never do something to my children and grandchildren that I wasn’t absolutely convinced was safe. So please don’t characterize my position as some sort of new government mandate.
I know. The MSM as represented by ABC News is a really bad joke.
I’ve only seen passing references to his having referred patients to an abortionist. Please give more detail. It may be a deal breaker for me, too.
I like Dr. Ben but he ain’t the guy. And NOT because I’m racist either. :>} Hmm. But to some, being over 60, Christian, white, conservative (radical right wing extremist!?) and male would qualify me for that label.
How many in contention on the Democrat side?
Dr Carson would have to be dead for years before his IQ would drop to Dorkbama the Muslim levels.
Exactly.
2nd behind Trump in PA. Quinnipiac poll today.
so he’s backpedaling on vaccines just the way he did on the Second Amendment?
And I like the guy...but not for Prez.
I do kinda like him I am finding. he’s got a couple deal breakers and I just don’t think he is otherwise qualified, but if he were the nominee I’d probably vote for him in the General. (Before I vote for no one. No. I will never vote Dim)
I think it's because, like Trump, he ain't a stinking lousy lawyer that's trying to steal everything that's isn't nailed down....
MHO.....
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