# Ben Carson considered for... **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 12, 2016, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686 "2016-11-12T20:09:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Find\_Friends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/1 "2016-11-12T20:09:38Z")
[According to this](https://gma.yahoo.com/trump-cabinet-might-look-003251115--abc-news-topstories.html): … Carson is a contender for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Was there also something earlier about being considered for Education? Or did I just have my wires crossed? Thank you in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/2 "2016-11-12T21:28:19Z")
According to [this NYTimes article](http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/politics/donald-trump-administration.html), Ben Carson might be considered for Education Secretary. Note that the article is just speculative. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/3 "2016-11-12T21:28:32Z")
Moved to Elections. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**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:** [November 13, 2016, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/4 "2016-11-13T04:45:12Z")
As a physician, Carson would seem to be a better fit for HHS. Besides, I thought Trump was planning on shutting down the Department of Education. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/5 "2016-11-13T06:11:22Z")
The head of HHS needs more than just to be a physician. It’s a large organization, so some management background, preferably in healthcare or human services, would be necessary. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/6 "2016-11-13T06:41:28Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > As a physician, Carson would seem to be a better fit for HHS. > > Besides, I thought Trump was planning on shutting down the Department of Education. No, no, no, definitely Education since that’s historically been a bit of a throwaway post with little in the way of experience or competence needed. Carson is a great choice because of how he got his education. He can really speak to poor kids about how to get ahead in life. Use that bully pulpit. HHS requires good management though, especially since ACA was passed. IMO, if you want an ace HHS Secretary, you ask Howard Dean if he wants the job, assuming he doesn’t get DNC head. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/7 "2016-11-13T07:23:07Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The head of HHS needs more than just to be a physician. It’s a large organization, so some management background, preferably in healthcare or human services, would be necessary. \ WRONG. \ The only thing required to head an agency in the Trump Administration is: Loyalty. That is all. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/8 "2016-11-13T16:55:16Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The head of HHS needs more than just to be a physician. It’s a large organization, so some management background, preferably in healthcare or human services, would be necessary. I think that’s true of any federal agency. If Carson doesn’t have the background to manage HHS, he’s not going to be able to manage the Education Department either. If he’s serving as the titular head while his deputies run the department, at least he’d understand the subject being managed at HHS. Carson has no comparable experience in education. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/9 "2016-11-13T17:01:56Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I think that’s true of any federal agency. If Carson doesn’t have the background to manage HHS, he’s not going to be able to manage the Education Department either. If he’s serving as the titular head while his deputies run the department, at least he’d understand the subject being managed at HHS. Carson has no comparable experience in education. Education is in [the crosshairs.](http://www.businessinsider.com/how-donald-trump-could-eliminate-the-department-of-education-2016-11) > [@](#): > > During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly hit at the role of federal government in education, arguing instead for increased local control of schools. He has also hinted that the Department of Education should be abolished. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/10 "2016-11-13T17:20:57Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > As a physician, Carson would seem to be a better fit for HHS. > > Besides, I thought Trump was planning on shutting down the Department of Education. So was Reagan. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/11 "2016-11-13T18:49:56Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > As a physician, Carson would seem to be a better fit for HHS. > > Besides, I thought Trump was planning on shutting down the Department of Education. I had heard the same about the Dept of Education, or he at least is thinking about streamlining it. I agree, with his background, Carson is better suited for HHS. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/12 "2016-11-14T01:47:41Z")
GOP is now hinting.stating that they will use Secretary of HHS to gut ACA via rule-making. It really doesn’t matter who rubber-stamps the new, improved Rules. But: That pic of Carson with Jesus’s hand on his shoulder\* will get dusted off if Trump tries to use him as an “Important” flunky. - - see Snopes. They came up with a photo of this thing. It hangs on a wall in Carson’s home. He really thinks Jesus cares about him personally. A truly scary twit is a sea of thieves and con men. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/13 "2016-11-14T02:28:53Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > As a physician, Carson would seem to be a better fit for HHS. On the other hand, [as a complete moron obsessed with luggage](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zRuZ_LimXxU), he’s an excellent fit for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e47774/32.png) [@quiltguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/14 "2016-11-14T20:59:55Z")
How about Surgeon General? He’ll get to wear a totally bitchin’ uniform, and probably won’t be able to do too much damage. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/15 "2016-11-15T04:33:40Z")
That is the natural position for him. HHS is going to be rolling out a modified ACA, which as Kathleen Sebelius found out to her sorrow, is a really tough management task. And Sebelius had executive experience. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/16 "2016-11-15T06:22:41Z")
Ms. Sibelius wanted it to work. Big difference. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/17 "2016-11-15T11:40:56Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > He really thinks Jesus cares about him personally. A truly scary twit is a sea of thieves and con men. I’m guessing you meant “in”, but I like “is”, there; it’s almost like a Nietzsche quote. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/18 "2016-11-15T11:51:15Z")
Not sure that a man who bragged about stabbing someone, but was actually lying about stabbing that someone, but still stuck to his lie that he once stabbed someone is all that qualified for much of anything. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/19 "2016-11-15T13:29:22Z")
It hasn’t actually been proven that he lied, so much as proven that he couldn’t prove it was true. Plus I invoke the Reagan defense, that all personal anecdotes over 20 years old are assumed honest even if proven inaccurate. People tend to remember things a certain way, and the more influential the anecdote was on their character the more likely it is to become more legend than fact. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686/20 "2016-11-15T14:41:19Z")
I’ll never think of Carson without thinking of the second half of Flowers For Algernon. Whatever talents he may have had are long gone. Listening to him talk, you wonder how he graduated from high school, let alone get into med school. There simply isn’t any job for which he is remotely qualified in the White House. Maybe he could dispense the Orange Predator’s medications if properly supervised. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-considered-for/771686.md?page=2)