Absolutely—I agree with you on both counts!
The GOP and conservatives are so desperate to prove that they aren’t racist that they’ll back any black who suggests he’s a Republican—without his having any experience or record or their knowing his positions on basic issues.
That of course opens it up for narcissists, opportunists, and even schemers from the other side to be put up to splitting the conservative vote in the primaries, election cycle after election cycle.
“...so desperate to prove that they aren’t racist that they’ll back any black who suggests he’s a Republican”
Having ten years past experience in party politics, I have seen this first hand. I have also seen a few [pick your aggrieved class] use this to make a go in politics. In fact, there are narcissists, opportunists, and schemers from every demographic that gets into politics because of the power, the ego, and other reasons. It does not matter the party. A good primary system helps weed out some of these people from getting office.
High moral character is an essential ingredient when trusted with governmental power. I have met and worked with some of these people too. Some got elected, some did not because they were not in the right place at the right time.
I don’t know much about Ben Carson, but he appears to project good moral character. If he wants to try a political career, he already has name recognition - he could run for high office in his state first rather than Congress.