Posted on 11/04/2015 6:18:09 PM PST by Amntn
Ben Carson's presidential campaign is many things. A curiosity, an oddity, a fascinating yet disturbing commentary on today's Republican Party? Absolutely. But there's also some reason to believe that it's a giant confidence game.
That isn't to say that Carson isn't genuinely trying to become president. He has even moved into the lead in a couple of recent national polls. But the inner workings of his campaign will look awfully familiar to those who understand how one right-wing movement has been bilking gullible conservatives over the last half-century.
Like many outsider candidates, Carson is relying on small donors to raise money - lots of it. He took in over $20 million in the third quarter, more than any other Republican (though less than Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders). But he has also spent much of it already. As of the end of the third quarter, he had raised $31 million but spent $20 million, almost two-thirds of the haul, an unusually high "burn rate."
Spending lots of money early in an election isn't necessarily bad, if you're investing it in things that will be valuable for you later. If you have a big staff in Iowa, for instance, presumably they'll be organizing activists, persuading voters, and putting in place the infrastructure you'll need to get your supporters to the caucuses.
But that's not where Ben Carson's money is going.
(Excerpt) Read more at theweek.com ...
Carson's campaign relies heavily on the Internet to get his message across, more so than the campaigns of his 13 rivals. The campaign's Facebook page has more than 4 million followers, while Carson's Instagram account has 127,000.
One popular Facebook feature shows fans holding handwritten explanations of their support for Carson. Bennett says urging supporters to take more of those photos was his idea to drive voter engagement.
Starting this month, the campaign began using a computer program that lets one staffer answer up to 9,000 questions per day. Supporters will be able to text or email Carson a question and get an individual response. The program uses an algorithm that groups together questions that may look unique but are actually similar enough to elicit a single answer. Bennett says using the program was also his idea.
What do you think of this?
I think, if the algorithm works properly, that it is a very good idea.
Cue Kirk’s “Khaaaaaaaan!” gif.
It’s a smear campaign by the left and you’re falling for it.
I think he’s building his brand. He’s good for the Republican party as a reach out to minorities. His own success story is impressive.
But he’s a paper tiger. His supporters will go elsewhere when the voting time comes and RINOs are hoping it’ll be Jeb or Rubio. He’s being inflated now so he can be deflated later.
Carson is harmless,in my opinion. He is low energy and clueless at running anything. The steering polls are never going to dethrone Trump. I have no animosity toward the good Doctor. I just know he is being used by those that would exploit him. He is a political nothing.
Carson’s “surge” is courtesy of crossover Democrats who will not be voting for the Republican in the general election.
Once they take out Trump, Carson will be easy to kneecap.
Running for President does help sell books. As I understand it, Carson pockets the money, Trump gives it away.
Typical liberal - thinks it's disturbing that republicans would support a patriotic, responsible, intelligent, and successful man without going into a swoon over his melanin. Carson is not my first or second choice, but I'd take him over a socialist or a lying tyrant wannabe.
I don’t know if his campaign is a con job, but I’ve never believed that he’s a serious candidate for the White House.
The bigger story to me, is who is behind the company that has been doing all the soliciting. I bet it’s someone we’d know of-a past repeater candidate.
It must be a horserace to the end so we keep coming back to the media trough.
But is he spending any money on a campaign structure or getting on any ballots?
>> What do you think of this?
I think he’s heavily dependent on racism.
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| "I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense." |
“It’s a smear campaign by the left and you’re falling for it.”
Absolutely. It’s a hit piece.
I’m not for B.C., but I know a hit piece when I see one, and this is a hit piece.
I googeld it which brought me to an FR post from 2011. The consensus was that it was left leaning but not rabid left.
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