# Ben Carson Announces Presidential Campaign **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 4, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193 "2015-05-04T00:57:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/1 "2015-05-04T00:57:17Z")
What is the over-under on number of caucuses and primaries before he’s out? ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/2 "2015-05-04T01:03:10Z")
Who? ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/3 "2015-05-04T01:13:20Z")
[Here’s a Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Carson_presidential_campaign,_2016). He seems a bit anti-science for being a neurosurgeon. ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/4 "2015-05-04T02:34:44Z")
Actually, one of his staff said on a radio show that he would be running. The actual announcement is tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/5 "2015-05-04T11:25:44Z")
Out after Iowa. The straw poll this summer, not the caucus next January. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/6 "2015-05-04T12:06:32Z")
I don’t really understand him. He’s already made a name for himself. Why does he want to be a fringe right wing candidate? People are laughing at him now because of the extreme bombast. He could have had the book and speaking deals just based on his story and scientific background. Now he’s a trivia question, 2 sentence Wikipedia entry for the 2016 election, and an interview on a slow news day. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/7 "2015-05-04T12:16:02Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I don’t really understand him. He’s already made a name for himself. Why does he want to be a fringe right wing candidate? People are laughing at him now because of the extreme bombast. > > He could have had the book and speaking deals just based on his story and scientific background. Now he’s a trivia question, 2 sentence Wikipedia entry for the 2016 election, and an interview on a slow news day. I think he’s a true-believing Christian nutbar. I think that’s all there is – he really believes America is close to biblical doom and wants to save it. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/8 "2015-05-04T12:50:43Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > [Here’s a Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Carson_presidential_campaign,_2016). > > He seems a bit anti-science for being a neurosurgeon. A “bit anti-science” is an understatement. > [@](#): > > [Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson apologized for commenting Wednesday that prisoners’ changes after they leave jail proves being gay is a choice, but said that the science is still murky on the issue.](http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/04/politics/ben-carson-prisons-gay-choice/index.html) > > And then, in a radio appearance later Wednesday, he criticized CNN for airing the comments he’d made in an interview and said he won’t be addressing gay rights issues for the duration of his presidential campaign. > > Carson had asserted Wednesday morning on CNN’s “New Day” that homosexuality is a choice because people “go into prison straight – and when they come out, they’re gay.” ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/9 "2015-05-04T13:06:36Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > A “bit anti-science” is an understatement. Anti-science? Ben? Hardly. \*" “I see myself as a member of ‘we the people,’” he told The Associated Press in an interview earlier this year, arguing that his lack of experience is an asset. “I see myself as a logical American who has common sense”\*. [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ben-carson-famed-neurosurgeon-running-president-30780804](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ben-carson-famed-neurosurgeon-running-president-30780804) After all, Carson has been [a long-time shill for Mannatech](http://wonkette.com/572033/ben-carson-shilled-scam-aids-and-cancer-cures-for-10-years-will-be-your-next-president-obvs) (whose products cure AIDS and cancer as I’m sure you’re all aware). It’s just common sense. His candidacy will however resonate among a portion of “we the people” who have convinced themselves that being A Famed Neurosurgeon gives you the smarts to be President. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/10 "2015-05-04T13:14:45Z")
If he’d stayed in medicine, his place would be secure. [But he isn’t even the role model he once was.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/as-ben-carson-bashes-obama-many-blacks-see-a-heros-legacy-fade/2015/05/02/b9ce53c8-e850-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/11 "2015-05-04T13:19:18Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I think he’s a true-believing Christian nutbar. I think that’s all there is – he really believes America is close to biblical doom and wants to save it. It could be worse. Some Christian nutbars look forward to biblical doom and don’t want to prevent it. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/12 "2015-05-04T16:53:00Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I don’t really understand him. He’s already made a name for himself. Why does he want to be a fringe right wing candidate? Maybe God told him to run. God seems to enjoy screwing with Republicans that way. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/13 "2015-05-04T17:30:57Z")
Why is he running? Easy, same as most of them, and it has exactly ZERO to do with running for President, wanting to be President, or being in any way sincere. What these clowns are running for is $$$$. You can rake in a lot of money running for President, you can make a lot of waves, then you can step away, keep any unspent monies, and more **importantly** ; You will get more speaking gigs for higher fees and even potentially a spot as a media analyst if you have that ‘Former Presidential Candidate’ after your name. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/14 "2015-05-04T17:40:47Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It could be worse. Some Christian nutbars look forward to biblical doom and don’t want to prevent it. As nutbar as that is, it’s at least consistent with their beliefs, meaning if they truly believe all the end time prophecy stuff then working to prevent it would be undermining the will of God. And shouldn’t they all be eager to reach paradise anyway? They sure like talking about how great it is supposed to be. ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/15 "2015-05-04T17:42:14Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > As nutbar as that is, it’s at least consistent with their beliefs, meaning if they truly believe all the end time prophecy stuff then working to prevent it would be undermining the will of God. And shouldn’t they all be eager to reach paradise anyway? They sure like talking about how great it is supposed to be. Aren’t they supposed to convert the Jews first? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/16 "2015-05-04T18:21:58Z")
> [@rsa](#): > > Aren’t they supposed to convert the Jews first? Convert the Jews into what? Some say Christians, some say lamp shades. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/17 "2015-05-04T18:24:01Z")
I think the story is that the Jews are necessary to prepare the field of Armageddon for the final battles, then go to Sheol where they belong. Or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/18 "2015-05-04T18:57:31Z")
Just remember it’s the grave NEXT to his that holds the treasure, Tuco. Wait, that’s Bill Carson. OOps. Maybe Mr. Carson, the neurosurgeon, wants some name recognition, so he can start a TV show called \*Dr. Carson \*that connects with viewers by his promotion of weight loss thru medical quackery. Wait, someone beat him to that. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/19 "2015-05-04T23:24:44Z")
How many of these vanity candidates will have a moment in the sun as board leader before collapsing? Or will come down to a top three or four fairly quickly? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-announces-presidential-campaign/719193/20 "2015-05-04T23:58:27Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > How many of these vanity candidates will have a moment in the sun as board leader before collapsing? > > Or will come down to a top three or four fairly quickly? If last time around is any indication the favorite will change very few weeks. But who know how it will play out this time.