# Ben Carson for President thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 31, 2015, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554 "2015-08-31T22:58:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/281 "2015-11-04T14:17:07Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > So he’s saying that if elected, he promises to drift aimlessly? Just for the first 40 days. Then he’ll see a mountain and become firmly planted on the ground. Or go hiking the Appalachian Trail, one of the two. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Lowry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/282 "2015-11-04T14:53:39Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > Yeah, I understand, I just find it a very strange response to the question asked. I agree, he’s said how he’s done long surgeries and that takes a certain type or energy or concentration, and that’s a reasonable answer. Or he could just dismiss it since it’s an attack from Trump. But to be accused of being low energy and to say in response about how he repeatedly would attack people when he was young seems strange to me. Also, his stabbing story seems strange to me. How would he try to stab someone in the abdomen, but hit his belt buckle instead? And if so, how would that belt buckle protect him, instead of the knife sliding right off of it into the abdomen. I’ve seen articles summarizing how the story has changed over the years and theorizing it’s a made up story. I don’t think it’s made up, but I don’t know if it’s changed over the years to be a better redemption story, and he actually wasn’t that wild when he was young, or if it’s actually been minimized over the years so he seems less violent. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/283 "2015-11-04T14:57:34Z")
If it’s a cheap knife it could very well break on a belt buckle. ---
**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 4, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/284 "2015-11-04T15:02:00Z")
It appears it is Carson’s turn out of the clown car, much as Cain had his turn four years ago. With the lead comes scrutiny, with scrutiny comes implosion. At some point, people will want to know his specific ideas and on finding none, they will pull another clown out of the car. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/285 "2015-11-04T15:05:42Z")
I think that’s possible, but less likely than it was for Cain. Carson the man makes up for a lot of the failings of Carson the candidate. The public wants authenticity in this election and Carson’s hard to beat on that count. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/286 "2015-11-04T15:21:51Z")
Excuse my asking, but what in the name of Bleeding Og is “authenticity”? Is it that one has the feeling that he means what he says? Well, great, except that what he says is nuts. Is it that he genuinely believes that the snake oil he shilled for will actually cure cancer? Good for him, I guess, if that is “authentic”. Is Trump also “authentic”, only less so? Is it “the public” who wants authenticity? In what ways have they expressed this fervent desire for authenticity? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/287 "2015-11-04T15:25:12Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Carson’s lead over Clinton is +5.2 in the RCP average: > > [2016 General Election: Carson vs. Clinton | RealClearPolling](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_carson_vs_clinton-5119.html) Oh, god, please let them be the nominees. > [@elucidator](#): > > Excuse my asking, but what in the name of Bleeding Og is “authenticity”? Lack of preparation. ---
**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 4, 2015, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/288 "2015-11-04T15:26:33Z")
Carson’s followers are morons. They cheer that stupid line about the ark and the Titanic, without thinking that the construction of the Titanic wasn’t the issue, it was its operation that night that doomed it. If they had stopped for the night, all would have been fine. Yes, he believes his nonsense. But why is earnest belief in nonsense a desirable quality in a president? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/289 "2015-11-04T15:27:27Z")
Is part of “preparation” learning what you should believe and what lies you need to tell? If Democrats dont know what authenticity is then that will be the primary reason we have a “Will Democrats ever figure out why they lost” thread. It may be hard to define, but you know it when you see it. Sanders has it. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/290 "2015-11-04T15:27:57Z")
> [@](#): > > … But why is earnest belief in nonsense a desirable quality in a president? It shows that he is cromulent, and has electrolytes. Do try and keep up, won’t you? ---
**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:** [November 4, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/291 "2015-11-04T15:30:50Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Is part of “preparation” learning what you should believe and what lies you need to tell? Based on his lying about Mannatech, Carson seems to be learning a bit about this. > [@](#): > > If Democrats dont know what authenticity is then that will be the primary reason we have a “Will Democrats ever figure out why they lost” thread. It may be hard to define, but you know it when you see it. Sanders has it. Bachmann, Palin, and Herman Cain were “authentic” – this characteristic, whatever it is, seems vastly overrated. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/292 "2015-11-04T15:31:21Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Is part of “preparation” learning what you should believe and what lies you need to tell? > > \ > > Sanders has it. It’s learning how to fact-check your own statements and not say damnfool things like “people were more educated in the 1830s.” Yes, Sanders has it, but the sort of authenticity (D) voters are looking for is generally not the same thing (R) voters are looking for. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/293 "2015-11-04T15:33:33Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Based on his lying about Mannatech, Carson seems to be learning a bit about this. True dat. Although he might lack self awareness here since he actually managed to endorse the product at the same time that he was denying involvement with the company. Pretty hilarious. > [@](#): > > Bachmann, Palin, and Herman Cain were “authentic” – this characteristic, whatever it is, seems vastly overrated. It’s not 2012. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Lowry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/294 "2015-11-04T15:36:23Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > If it’s a cheap knife it could very well break on a belt buckle. Yeah, it’s not an impossible story, it’s just a strange one. And even if some version of the story is completely true, it’s a weird response to being asked about low energy. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/295 "2015-11-04T15:37:43Z")
> [@](#): > > …It’s not 2012. Can confirm, have calendar. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/296 "2015-11-04T15:40:15Z")
> [@](#): > > 's not 2012. Nor is it that long _since_ 2012. In fact, we are [almost exactly](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/republican_presidential_nomination-1452.html) at the point where Cain began to tank last time around (if you hover over the graph, you’ll see that his collapse begins between November 9 and November 11). Cain and Carson are only superficially alike, of course, but the voters won’t see much difference. The only real difference between that election and this one is that we have two comedy candidates this time (though I suppose Perry and Bachmann were fairly comical themselves). Interestingly, Cain announced his “9-9-9 Plan” in early October 2011, and offered specifics later that month. Carson announced his tax “plan” in mid-October, and offered specifics about a week ago… ---
**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:** [November 4, 2015, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/297 "2015-11-04T15:41:28Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It’s not 2012. Until we have actual primaries done and won, it’s reasonable to compare this cycle to 2012. Trump has shown more longevity than the many, many 2012 leaders in the Republican primary. Carson has not, at least not yet. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/298 "2015-11-04T15:44:56Z")
Just saw Ben Carson’s youtube ad. Pretty effective, IMO. “Together we can drain the swamp.” That’s the key for a guy who is unprepared. Treat the Presidency as a partnership between himself and the people. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/299 "2015-11-04T15:50:07Z")
Linky-dinky, parlay voo? Silver plate? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554/300 "2015-11-04T15:54:11Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > If Democrats dont know what authenticity is then that will be the primary reason we have a “Will Democrats ever figure out why they lost” thread. Just like last time? 😉 > [@](#): > > It’s not 2012. In what regard do you think it’s different enough to allow for a Republican victory? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-for-president-thread/729554.md?page=16)