How is Ben Carson an “outsider”? His childhood was nothing like Obama’s. He didn’t have a pampered life, and wasn’t sent to private schools. He didn’t grow up in Granny’s house, with his every desire met. He grew up in Detroit, attended public school. His home life fell apart at five when it was discovered that his father had a prior family, and a wife he had never divorced. His parents separated not long after, and he grew up having to take on more responsibilities than any young boy should have to. And look where it took him.
I’d say he’s just as qualified to run the Department as any of the past Secretaries of HUD were.
“How is Ben Carson an “outsider”? ...”
He’s the most terrifying outsider the Left/Progressives could possibly imagine. Black guy, conservative politically, refuses to toe the party line on racial-identity politics, refuses to drink the Kool-Aid over the dire need to protect the totalitarian nanny-state.
He succeeded by his own efforts - almost entirely.
But we should note author Terris’ condescending, skeptical comments about family use of food stamps. A common refrain from nanny-state apologists: the individual assailing the giveaway program in question once used a giveaway program themselves, therefore they have no moral authority to criticize any giveaway program, therefore every criticism of the socialist welfare state is invalid.