Who Is Ben Carson?

Donald Trump is not the only unlikely contender for the Republican Presidential nomination this year. Many Washington insiders have tried to make the traditional and now-to-be-expected poses as outsiders this year, but more than one candidate appears to be genuinely fresh to the American election spectacle. Among these candidates is Ben Carson.

Ben Carson's Background

Ben Carson's unusual background as a neurosurgeon, now retired, is actually of great assistance to him in the public eye. Even in an age increasingly burdened by health care regulations and outrageous costs, doctors still retain a noble character in public opinion. The moderate amount of fame acquired by Dr. Carson during his career (he is known for performing the first successful separation of twins conjoined at the head in 1987) also lends him an air of daring intelligence and skill.

Ben Carson's Politics

Carson has done much more in life outside of doctoring. He had taught at the University level and written several books. However, this is his first foray into politics. He gave a moving and much-remembered speech at the 2013 National Prayer breakfast.

When the political question was put to him in the wake of sudden public recognition, Carson denied being a member of either major political party in the US. However, in late 2014, he officially joined the GOP. He was quickly noted for his quiet, cerebral approach to many questions.

His views are staunchly conservative in many ways. He is adamantly against abortion and the abortion industry. He is a practicing Christian, raised in the Seventh-Day Adventist faith but attending a variety of churches of different Protestant denominations.He has stated publicly that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Other views of his are generally within the conservative boundaries.


The Elephant in the Room Ain't Pink

While virtually no one in this PC age is willing to discuss the matter, Carson's race provides him with unique advantages and disadvantages.

The good doctor is an African-American republican and that makes him stand out from the rest of the pack. Like Jeb Bush, he is well-prepared to counter and/or defuse the race car that Democrats can be otherwise expected to play in the General Election. He is not an old, white man who can be so easily insinuated to be trying to drag the country "back into the Stone Age." While I would not expect the Democrats to give him a pass when it comes down to fighting for power in the big battle next summer and fall, nevertheless they will feel compelled to pull their punches due to the color of his skin.

However, race may also impede his rise to the nomination. I am not a liberal and I do not leap to accuse Republicans of racism. However, I do not think that any thoughtful person can deny that the Republican party is much more of a white man's party than it is anything else. The simple fact is that Carson does not look like most of the people that he needs to vote for him. This is a barrier, pure and simple.

This very same barrier has been breached in recent history, though, with the nomination and subsequent election of Barack Obama. Dr. Carson has recently tied Donald Trump in republican polls so the outlook is improving for his chances at ultimate victory.