# 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:** 14
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/261 "2015-03-21T19:56:47Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Cripes, now we have to evaluate our our degrees creativity. > > Hey, I noticed my spell checker didn’t cough up any complaints about ‘cripes’! It appears that “cripes” is of a similar origin to “cor” and “zounds”, some sort of religiousy thing. Not sure about “geez”. Now, if we could gin up a profanity based in the subject of this thread, like Mr. Savage did with the frothy-mix guy, that would be interesting. Like, “Go in your room if you have to benc!” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/262 "2015-03-21T20:13:04Z")
“And don’t use your socks unless you’re going to wash them yourself!” ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/263 "2015-03-22T03:11:02Z")
A good NY Times article about Carson, most notably talking about how he’s trying to transition from a guy mouthing off to a polished candidate: > **[How Do You Solve a Problem Like Ben Carson? (Published 2015)](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/magazine/how-do-you-solve-a-problem-like-ben-carson.html?_r=1)** > > His chances of victory are minuscule, but he and other hard-right candidates will still be a headache for the G.O.P. in the 2016 primaries. Can mainstream Republicans stop him? Should they try? The fact that he realizes he has a problem shows he’s a pretty smart guy. A lot of actual successful politicians never figure this out. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/264 "2015-03-22T03:25:15Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > So, adaher, still liking Ben Carson? I love Ben Carson, as a person. Who doesn’t? As a Presidential candidate, let’s find out how he gets packaged once the race really gets started, just like we do with all the other candidates. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/265 "2015-03-22T03:46:31Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The fact that he realizes he has a problem shows he’s a pretty smart guy. A lot of actual successful politicians never figure this out. > [@adaher](#): > > As a Presidential candidate, let’s find out how he gets packaged once the race really gets started, just like we do with all the other candidates. I don’t challenge his native intelligence. I am put off by his bat-shit crazy refusal to employ it to address any scientific question outside his narrow range of specialty, which translates to a distrust that he will use his intelligence wisely when faced with executive decisions. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/266 "2015-03-22T03:51:53Z")
As a Presidential candidate, he’s a heck of a surgeon. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/267 "2015-03-22T04:22:03Z")
I almost want to see him get polished and knowledgeable just so that for the next eight years liberals can lament how politicians are packaged and handled and we never find out exactly who these people really are. Maybe they’ll even pass laws that candidates for public office can’t hire such people. Imagine the fun if every candidate had to be themselves on the campaign trail, with no one to coach them! ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/268 "2015-03-22T05:54:16Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I almost want to see him get polished and knowledgeable just so that for the next eight years liberals can lament how politicians are packaged and handled and we never find out exactly who these people really are. Maybe they’ll even pass laws that candidates for public office can’t hire such people. Imagine the fun if every candidate had to be themselves on the campaign trail, with no one to coach them! I suspect you like him because you don’t have a wide choice for GOP hopefuls that aren’t complete idiots, nut-cases, or both. He’s ignorant and too much of a twat to question his positions. That’s not a laudable combination in a candidate for POTUS. The fact that he says nonsense when unprepared isn’t a virtue. It means he’s a lightweight that thinks he’s more ready than he is. Dunning-Kruger personified. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/269 "2015-03-22T06:04:57Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > I suspect you like him because you don’t have a wide choice for GOP hopefuls that aren’t complete idiots, nut-cases, or both. Does Ben Carson fall outside that range? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/270 "2015-03-22T06:20:24Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Does Ben Carson fall outside that range? He might just be a nutcase. I doubt he’s a \*complete \*idiot. Just a guy who thinks because he’s really good at one thing, he doesn’t have to learn other things. “I’m a skilled surgeon. So why should I have to read history books or attempt to gain a basic understanding of current events?” — Ben Carson, probably in his head, before deciding to run for president. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/271 "2015-03-22T06:49:17Z")
Actually, he’s admitted he still has a lot to learn. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/272 "2015-03-22T06:57:25Z")
Humility is good, especially in an total ego-freak. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/273 "2015-03-22T13:11:06Z")
Christie’s down. Jindal’s down. Carson’s down. Who’s your next fondest hope? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/274 "2015-03-22T14:26:51Z")
John Kasich or Mike Pence, if either of them run. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/275 "2015-03-22T15:24:14Z")
There is no bottom in your barrel, is that what you’re telling us? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/276 "2015-03-22T15:39:14Z")
Seriously, all the possible real-world candidates are \*already \*working the donor base and collecting volunteers etc. Anyone who is still only thinking about it doesn’t have what it takes to run and isn’t going to. IOW you have to choose from the names already out there, not from your dreams of finding a responsible non-goofball who isn’t a Democrat. Since, after all, party affiliation is your primary, and perhaps sole, criterion. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/277 "2015-03-22T15:52:10Z")
It’s still early enough. It’s not too late until June or so. If push comes to shove I’ll take Scott Walker or Jeb, and I’ll still take Jindal, Huck, and Graham over Clinton. If the Dem nominee is Webb or O’Malley or Biden, then it’s a tougher choice. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/278 "2015-03-22T16:19:41Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Actually, he’s admitted he still has a lot to learn. I sense an inconsistency in your positions about being qualified (in general and specifically re: Obama) and your (now repudiated) love for Carson. Carson meets exactly none of your own criteria as listed in the [What’s the absolute minimum experience a Presidential candidate must have?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=750464) thread. Here are your answers\*: Highest previous political experience was the House of Representatives? No Highest previous political experience was that of a state legislator? No Highest previous political experience was the mayorship of a big city (i.e., Los Angeles, New York)? Yes Highest previous political experience was the mayorship of a relatively small city (Albuquerque, Sacramento, Spokane, etc.)? No No political experience whatsoever, but is an accomplished person (i.e., scientist, inventor, author, professor, etc.)? Maybe. A CEO of a large company, yes. An author who understands how government works better than most politicians do, possibly. Part of running a large apparatus like the federal government is knowing how to find out what you need to know. I’m sure there are other elite citizens who I’d consider. There are just so many varied ways to gain experience in the private sector. I’d also consider a lower officer than general to be qualified. A good high ranking NCO I think could be a fantastic President. So, Ben Carson has no political experience whatsoever. He’s never been CEO of a large company (although he was director of a unit in a major hospital - still staff-wise that ain’t that much - your unqualified Mayor of Albuquerque has MANY MANY more people working for him). He’s an author, but I don’t see how you could possibly argue that he “understands how government works better than most politicians do”. Especially given the “lot to learn” admission. No military experience (turned down West Point for Yale). So you think he’s qualified because…well, actually why DO you think he’s even remotely qualified? - I think we all more or less agreed that Prez, VP, and Governor generally qualified you - iffier on Senator and General, doesn’t matter anyway since Carson has been none of those. ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/279 "2015-03-22T17:37:36Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It’s still early enough. It’s not too late until June or so. If push comes to shove I’ll take Scott Walker or Jeb, and I’ll still take Jindal, Huck, and Graham over Clinton. If the Dem nominee is Webb or O’Malley or Biden, then it’s a tougher choice. You prefer Graham over Clinton, but you would consider Webb over Graham? Explain? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154/280 "2015-03-22T17:40:08Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It’s still early enough. It’s not too late until June or so. Hope is a wonderful thing. > [@](#): > > If push comes to shove I’ll take Scott Walker or Jeb You \*know \*it’ll be Jeb, and you know why, too. > [@](#): > > If the Dem nominee is Webb or O’Malley or Biden, then it’s a tougher choice. Stop kidding yourself. Your choice is already made. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-ben-carson/706154.md?page=15)