# So tell me about Ben Carson... **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 2, 2014, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154 "2014-12-02T19:11:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/1 "2014-12-02T19:11:10Z")
Somebody asked me this past weekend about Ben Carson. I had never heard of him. I apparently don’t watch enough Fox News. So this morning I read today’s CNN article about him: [http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/02/politics/ben-carson-gop-poll/](http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/02/politics/ben-carson-gop-poll/) So tell me why he would be horrible for America as president or great for America as president other than he’s a republican…yada yada yada. I know: African American Child of a single mother Poor childhood in Detroit Yale undergrad Michigan medical school Pediatric neuro-surgeon Conservative No political background Rose to public prominence as a speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2013 Fox News paid contributor Recently aligned with GOP after being an independent Pondering a presidential candidacy Fill me in on what I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/2 "2014-12-02T19:25:43Z")
POTUS is overkill. He should run for Congress if he wants to hold public office. ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/3 "2014-12-02T19:55:32Z")
Ben Carson strikes me as a man of obvious accomplishment who has spent most of his professional life focused on the complex field of pediatric neuro-surgery. I am not qualified to judge his medical career, but I’ll take it at face value he is a leader in this field. Then I see him say things like this, in commenting on the riots in the wake of the grand jury decision in the Michael Brown case: > [@](#): > > “Certainly in a lot of our inner cities, in particular the black inner cities, where 73 percent of the young people are born out of wedlock, the majority of them have no father figure in their life. Usually the father figure is where you learn how to respond to authority,” Carson said. “So now you become a teenager, you’re out there, you have really no idea how to respond to authority, you eventually run into the police or you run into somebody else in the neighborhood who also doesn’t know how to respond but is badder than you are, and you get killed or you end up in the penal system.” […] > > “I think a lot of it really got started in the ’60s with the ‘me generation,’” he replied. “‘What’s in it for me?’ I hate to say it, but a lot of it had to do with the women’s lib movement. You know, ‘I’ve been taking care of my family, I’ve been doing that, what about me?’ You know, it really should be about us.” I think he believes this is an original thought, one that hasn’t been beaten into the ground by countless conservative bigots and anti-feminists, and absolutely laughable as a parochial response to the complicated social problems exposed by the incident. It’s of course lapped up like crack to the Fox News base–and his race gives them a free pass to excuse their own potentially racist opinions on the subject. To me, it reveals a mind that hasn’t really thought much about these issues–on balance that’s fine, he’s devoted his mental energies to the far more laudable goal of saving children. But president? If so, there are a few loudmouths at the local tavern (and the talk radio circuit–much the same thing these days) who are equally qualified. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/4 "2014-12-02T20:03:49Z")
Obama used up all the novelty of “black president.” America may have voted for 8 years of a black presidency but it unfortunately will not want 12 or 16. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/5 "2014-12-02T20:36:04Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Obama used up all the novelty of “black president.” America may have voted for 8 years of a black presidency but it unfortunately will not want 12 or 16. So being black is a novelty? Can another catholic be elected or did JFK use up all that novelty as well? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/6 "2014-12-02T20:39:12Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > So being black is a novelty? Can another catholic be elected or did JFK use up all that novelty as well? Catholicism isn’t as obvious / overt a historical first as electing the first African-American president was. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/7 "2014-12-02T20:43:51Z")
I’d be kind of concerned about the lack of a political background. It sounds like he’d make a better Surgeon General than President. I hear the position’s open… ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/8 "2014-12-02T20:51:39Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Catholicism isn’t as obvious / overt a historical first as electing the first African-American president was. Were you around in 1960? It was a huge deal. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/9 "2014-12-02T20:52:28Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Obama used up all the novelty of “black president.” America may have voted for 8 years of a black presidency but it unfortunately will not want 12 or 16. So we’ve done a black president. Now we can go back to normal presidents. And the Republican party scratches its collective head and wonders why it can’t attract black voters. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/10 "2014-12-02T20:57:56Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > So we’ve done a black president. Now we can go back to normal presidents. I’d say it’s more like we’re once again done with electing an ill-equipped candidate based on what he is rather than who he is (ala Jimmy Carter) and now perhaps we can go back to electing candidates who are qualified by experience and performance to hold the office. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/11 "2014-12-02T21:01:44Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > So we’ve done a black president. Now we can go back to normal presidents. That’s not \*my \*personal view. But I’m sure that’s probably what many \*voters \*will be thinking of a Carson candidacy. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/12 "2014-12-02T21:04:01Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > I’d say it’s more like we’re once again done with electing an ill-equipped candidate based on what he is rather than who he is (ala Jimmy Carter) and now perhaps we can go back to electing candidates who are qualified by experience and performance to hold the office. Hijack aside/ if Obama :: Carter, then I hope the 2016 POTUS elect :: Reagan, whoever that is. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/13 "2014-12-02T21:06:18Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > I’d say it’s more like we’re once again done with electing an ill-equipped candidate based on what he is rather than who he is (ala Jimmy Carter) and now perhaps we can go back to electing candidates who are qualified by experience and performance to hold the office. Carter was governor of a state and a former navy officer. Pretty standard background for POTUS candidates. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/14 "2014-12-02T21:10:06Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Hijack aside/ if Obama :: Carter, then I hope the 2016 POTUS elect :: Reagan, whoever that is. As a matter of fact I almost posted my regrets that there appears to be no Ronald Reagan on the horizon to lead the country back into the light. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Dracula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@Count\_Dracula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Dracula)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/15 "2014-12-02T21:12:00Z")
He has nice tasting blood. I’d vote for him. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/16 "2014-12-02T21:14:25Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Carter was governor of a state and a former navy officer. Pretty standard background for POTUS candidates. But he wasn’t elected because of his accomplishments at either. He was elected because he was supposedly a “good and honest man”, unlike that alleged paragon of evil, Richard Nixon. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/17 "2014-12-02T21:17:38Z")
Well so far comments re: Ben Carson CJJ\* - not original thinker, better off looking for another set of Siamese twins to separate than trying to become president nearwildheaven - not political enough for a POTUS run…stick with a Senate race. Velocity - just another black candidate, been there done that Eltherist - not a politician Theme so far is leaning **against** his lack of political background. Some voters may consider that a positive. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/18 "2014-12-02T21:18:49Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > But he wasn’t elected because of his accomplishments at either. He was elected because he was supposedly a “good and honest man”, unlike that alleged paragon of evil, Richard Nixon. Carter ran against Ford. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/19 "2014-12-02T21:20:51Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > But he wasn’t elected because of his accomplishments at either. He was elected because he was supposedly a “good and honest man”, unlike that alleged paragon of evil, Richard Nixon. Well, he was a good and honest man, and he also had experience as a Governor. He also, by the way, did a fair job as President. I think we expect too much of our Presidents in the modern era. They don’t “run the country,” and they certainly don’t “run the economy.” They don’t even run the government without Congress. They are simply the “chief executive” of the government. They don’t get to make everything better or prevent bad things from happening. Carter did fine. Obama is doing a nice job too, under very difficult circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/20 "2014-12-02T21:30:00Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Velocity - just another black candidate, been there done that Again, just to clarify, that’s not \*my \*personal view of Carson, but I’m sure that’s probably what many voters will be thinking. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154.md?page=2)