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 ...
This whole story rather gave me the creeps. There was one out this morning that started it, maybe this was it, but it raised questions about what gentle Ben is actually accomplishing, and how.
I felt like “Who IS this guy”, and “What does he want with us”?
I like Dr. Carson. I hope President Trump puts him to work fixing health care.
LOL!
Here’s the rub - Carson takes off 2 weeks to do a book tour and bingo - he overtakes Trump in a couple of national polls. Now, contrast this to McCain who suspended his campaign to go back to DC when the stock market was crashing. It did him in. What gives?
- program that lets one staffer answer up to 9,000 questions per day
Small government
There is too much of a history of his love for country for that to even be a consideration.
There are his books talking about it, his TV appearances, and old interviews.
You can disagree with him if you want but I can guarantee you he is doing this out of love for his (our) country.
Hoosiermama can tell you all about his family history and where he is coming from if you are interested in finding out.
See that’s what I’m saying, there is something here we are not seeing, something we are missing...but I haven’t figured it out yet...I know it has to come out, it always does, and I know it’s not going to be good when it does...nothing hurting Trump, but something is not right here!!!
He is still not doing traditional campaigning.
While listening to Rush today on a Florida station they said he was coming to Florida tomorrow but not for an official campaign reason. They said he was doing 2 book signings.
You asked me what I think. Well, that’s what I think.
Ben’s supporters and small buck donors are from two groups: 1) blacks and 2) guilty whites who don’t have the intellectual honesty to look past his platitudes to his genuine persona and pitfalls.
Dr. Ben Carson is a wonderful man.
I have nothing but praise for him.
I very much doubt he will win the GOP nomination, despite MSM efforts to both promote him and minimalize him.
MSM can’t praise him too much, because of Hillary.
Go to the HuffPo link in post #3.
It talks about this software they have that sorts the questions he gets so a single staffer can give one answer but a lot of people think the answer is just for them.
Is this how he is answering the nightly questions on face Book?
This just makes me think political operatives are using him.
I have face book and face book is set up to give questions that are favorable to what or who ever is posted...and I have been following Carson just to see what people are saying...most of them are laughing at him....where as on Trumps face books, they are behind him all the way, there are a few people that post nasty remarks but not many...
And the software your talking about is like what they run on face book....on my page I have Trump, and the only thing I post is: #Trump 2016....and it comes up blue....this is for tracking purposes I was told....but I don’t post on Carson’s I just read what is being said...
Carson is a great candidate. I am for trump but carson is solid. Judge these men by their enemies. I like ted too...marco...no.
Brace yourself, sweet lady.
Interesting
I think, if the algorithm works properly, that it is a very good idea.”
When it doesn’t work properly an email I sent to John Cornyn re Senators spending like drunken sailors is responded to as a thank you for my request for a tour of his office. Often thought this was by design so people would quit sending him comments.
Trump donating book proceeds to veteran groups. The same groups he thought CNN should donate debate commercial revenues to. He sent Zucker a list.
We have gotten email from him ( begging for money ) and nobody in my house has EVER supported him, written to him, follow him ( we don't have FB pages, don't use twitter, etc.) and Armstong Williams is a Farrakhan supporter, Ben claims that he has "the same goals as Al Sharpton", and his biggest handlers also backed Herman Cain. Ben may be a "nice" man, but I'm more qualified to be president than he is.
There are so many things “off” about him. I will not vote for him, Jeb or a couple of others. He might do well in the administration, but he cannot handle being President.
I agree with others that there are a few too many similarities to another “articulate” black man with little to no experience.
I like Trump and Cruz.
The host on the CMAs just made a comment about him, making him not sound so articulate. mmmmm
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