Perhaps, but while they may be able to skew the polls a few points, I can't conceive of a 25-point wholesale falsehood. So even if it's a few points of falsehood, we're still talking a 20+ percent of Republicans who believe handing the reins to Carson at this time in world history is a good idea. And I don't get that.

http://www.theblaze.com/contri...e-ben-carson-appeal/

The Ben Carson Appeal
Oct. 26, 2015 9:30am
Mario Diaz
Mario Diaz
Mario Díaz, Esq., serves as Concerned Women for America's (CWA) Legal Counsel and leads CWA's Legal Studies Department. Mr. Diaz is a Constitutional Law scholar who focuses on cases and legislation dealing with CWA's core issues: religious liberty, sanctity of human life, defense of the family, sexual exploitation, education, national sovereignty, and support for Israel. He also directs CWA's amicus briefs and our work on judicial nominations and judicial activism.
Mr. Diaz is a published writer. His columns are regularly featured in several media outlets, including The Washington Times, Human Events, WorldNetDaily and Townhall. He is also a regular guest commentator on numerous radio and television shows, including CNN, FOX, and Voice of America, both in English and Spanish. Mr. Diaz is a public speaker with experience at numerous conferences, including the well-known Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). He speaks regularly in churches and schools about America's founding principles.
Mr. Diaz obtained his Juris Doctor from Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. and is an active member of the Maryland Bar. He did his undergraduate work at Middle Tennessee State University. He resides in Maryland with his wife and three children and serves as Music Minister for his church.
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This is not intended to be a political piece on Ben Carson and his qualifications (or lack thereof) to be president of the United States. Let me emphasize that again: I do not want to weigh in on Dr. Carson’s candidacy.

Rather, given his recent surge past Donald Trump (the undisputed front runner until now) in the Quinnipiac Iowa poll, I want to attempt to put into words that mystical appeal we can all see in him but so few can articulate, as a form of cultural commentary, rather than a political one.

Ben Carson, Republican 2016 U.S. presidential candidate, speaks during The Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa, U.S., on Saturday, July 18, 2015. The sponsor, The FAMiLY LEADER, is a 'pro-family, pro-marriage, pro-life organization which champions the principle that God is the ultimate leader of the family.' (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Ben Carson, Republican 2016 U.S. presidential candidate, speaks during The Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa, U.S., on Saturday, July 18, 2015. The sponsor, The FAMiLY LEADER, is a ‘pro-family, pro-marriage, pro-life organization which champions the principle that God is the ultimate leader of the family.’ (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
It seems fairly obvious, despite what most political pundits regurgitate, that Dr. Carson’s appeal is much more than the fact that he is “an outsider.” He is an outsider to be sure, but he is a certain kind of outsider.

I also do not think it has to do with his exceptional intellect. He actually comes across as very humble (which points us in the right direction to ascertain his appeal) and does not speak in academic terms. He speaks in moral terms, which also (I think) helps us get closer to the answer. But many politicians speak in moral terms; it seems there is something different (deeper) about him.

The answer, I believe, is that Dr. Carson seems to be a man of character. In other words, we actually believe when he speaks in moral terms, because his character comports with the ideas he presents.


But what in the world does it mean to be a man of character? This is something we used to know, so there might be some vague idea in our minds, like the memory of a forgotten relationship in our subconscious, and yet we can’t seem to put our finger on it.

We remember great men like Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., saying things like, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,” and though it sounds good, we struggle to define this idea of “character.”

Our Founding Fathers put enormous emphasis on character. Samuel Adams said, “The public cannot be too curious concerning the characters of public men.”

Noah Webster, the father of American Scholarship and Education, and the creator of the famous Webster’s Dictionary said, “The virtues of men are of more consequence to society than their abilities; and for this reason, the heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head.”

Those are powerful words. Webster puts character above all other attributes. In that sense, character knows no party; it goes deeper than philosophical and political ideas. Character has to do with honor and virtue and truth.

We sometimes talk about a “proven” character and that is because character goes deeper than words. It is about experience and endurance. Our character is better revealed under pressure.

This is what we read in Scripture. The Apostle Paul talks about it in Romans 5:3-4. Take notice of the progression he talks about: “[W]e rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

It is through tribulation that we ultimately form our character. Life’s trials — our failures more than our successes — reveal the type of person we truly are.

It is how Carson became who he is. If you want to understand Ben Carson’s appeal, perhaps you should take an hour or two and watch, “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story” on Netflix. It explains a lot. This is a man who overcame incredible obstacles to get where he is.

This is Ben Carson’s strength as a man. And it is also his strength as a politician. It is what is most appealing about him, that inexplicable quality of being a man of character.

I do not want to suggest in any way that other candidates are not men and women of character, only that Dr. Carson seems to excel in this most noble area. And it’s incredibly appealing.

–

TheBlaze contributor channel supports an open discourse on a range of views. The opinions expressed in this channel are solely those of each individual author.

quote:

Originally posted by at-home-daddy:
Can someone explain to me the widespread appeal of Carson, beyond the "outsider candidate" lure? He seems like a perfectly nice gentleman with views that I suspect echo (at least in large part) most of us here, including me, though some here have (rightly, I believe) commented on his lack of fire and strength of personality, to the degree that some can envision him being chewed up and spit out by the political machinery in pretty quick order.

But I'm not referring to any of that.

What I can't get my mind around is why some here -- and an increasing number of voters, if the polls are to be believed -- believe a physician who lacks any business, management, and bureaucratic experience, save for that perhaps garnered in some insular hospital environment (and perhaps not even that...for all I know, his experience may be strictly limited to practicing medicine only), is in any way suited to be president of the United States. Regardless of how much one might agree with Carson's views, the thought of someone who has never been in any type of complex, critical management position (i.e corporate (Trump), military, or political (governor)) taking on presidential duties at this chaotic time in world history is worrisome to me, and I'm frankly puzzled that a quarter of Republican voters don't see it that same way. I'd like to understand why.

So you prefer a lawyer, community organizer, or just your average poli-sci major?

quote:

Originally posted by Krazeehorse:

So you prefer a lawyer, community organizer, or just your average poli-sci major?

Of course not. But there are many choices in today's candidate crowd beyond those three you provide (and Carson).

As far as the above article goes, I appreciate its posting, and perhaps it does give insight to Carson's appeal. But if her contention is that character trumps all other practical/operational qualifications (especially when those other qualifications seem to be even missing from Carson's resume), I'd argue otherwise. My own doctor is a nice guy, an awfully intelligent guy, has views similar to mine (if prior conversations are any gauge), and is presumably a man of character, but he's not qualified to be president. I still don't understand why some believe Carson is, and perhaps I just won't be able to, especially if the above article does accurately reflect the dominate view on Carson.

if Character is what mattered to a majority on election day we wouldn't be in the position we're in nor would an Obama or his ilk ever see a second term. not that Character isn't important, or that it shouldn't matter, but it doesn't, not enough, and not to enough voters, and not often or consistently enough...

whomever *may* be able to be both nominated on the Right -and- win the whole thing *must* be Charismatic, and able to swing most of the Right, a lot of the Middle, and some from the Left, and no one who is Establishment or anti gay/abortion/cannabis can do so.

hell, we may not win regardless, but let's at least not give the election away.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
http://www.ijreview.com/2015/1...s&utm_term=ijamerica

They discovered that white people like Donald Trump? That's all I get out of that page.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
http://www.ijreview.com/2015/1...s&utm_term=ijamerica

They discovered that white people like Donald Trump? That's all I get out of that page.

I'm not that familiar with downtown Jacksonville, though I have been to the Landing many years ago. Evidently, most folks were white, though they picture one black guy holding a silent majority sign.

So, what's the revelation?

He's popular at Jacksonville Landing!

[Spock] Fascinating! [/Spock]

Well it was on a Sunday, so we did not have to miss work.

quote:

Originally posted by Krazeehorse:

quote:

Originally posted by at-home-daddy:
Can someone explain to me the widespread appeal of Carson, beyond the "outsider candidate" lure? He seems like a perfectly nice gentleman with views that I suspect echo (at least in large part) most of us here, including me, though some here have (rightly, I believe) commented on his lack of fire and strength of personality, to the degree that some can envision him being chewed up and spit out by the political machinery in pretty quick order.

But I'm not referring to any of that.

What I can't get my mind around is why some here -- and an increasing number of voters, if the polls are to be believed -- believe a physician who lacks any business, management, and bureaucratic experience, save for that perhaps garnered in some insular hospital environment (and perhaps not even that...for all I know, his experience may be strictly limited to practicing medicine only), is in any way suited to be president of the United States. Regardless of how much one might agree with Carson's views, the thought of someone who has never been in any type of complex, critical management position (i.e corporate (Trump), military, or political (governor)) taking on presidential duties at this chaotic time in world history is worrisome to me, and I'm frankly puzzled that a quarter of Republican voters don't see it that same way. I'd like to understand why.

So you prefer a lawyer, community organizer, or just your average poli-sci major?

No, I prefer a very successful businessman with a strong backbone that is wealthy enough that he cannot be bought.

Then again one of the best Presidents this country has ever seen was an actor (Reagan).

Oh no ... Megyn Kelley will have a big smile tonight.
Link

The media is trying real hard to defeat Trump.

Seems that some of the candidates are upset that Trump gets the huge upscale green room for him and his people at tonight's debate, while guys like Rand Paul get the bathroom



Trump's on the left, Paul's on the right. Christie is complaining too. Too bad these guys never heard the phrase "coffee is for closers"

Not sure I'm even going to watch it tonight. The herd should really be thinned down to at the very least 6 by now. Imo with the exception of when Trump turned the tables on Megyan Kelly the debates have not been all that kind to him.
The fact that there are still ten on stage will probably help him.
Time for all these guys to start attacking Obama and Hillary rather than mostly Trump and each other.

Some random thoughts. The main stream media has already begun to vilify Carson, but if he really does take a commanding lead over Trump-- you ain't seen nothin' yet. Any black who does not read from the progressive/commie script threatens so much of their propaganda and agenda that he or she is subjected to the most vile of assaults. Locally, the Harrisburg Patriot has already begun, running a cartoon yesterday showing Carson with the top of his skull removed and smokey vapors rising. The caption was: "I thought that to be a brain surgeon you had to have one." This for a man who lifted himself out of poverty, and rose to prominence in a field so challenging it is a cliche of difficulty: "This ain't brain surgery." And if his lead opens, it will get much, much worse. Leftists can't be racists, so their racism will be running free.

Fox numbers seem to be holding steady. I thought they would drop after conservative disgust with Princess Megan. But I always suspected that O'Reilly had such high numbers because his audience was not really conservative. Those who self-identify that way are not exactly "lofos" -- but close to that. Watching that windbag is what they take for "staying informed." Same with Kelly.

Trump benefits, in the long run, from the shift in focus to Carson. It slows or even prevents "Trump fatigue" from setting in.

As Jeb becomes a joke, and the choice seems to be shaping up as Hillary versus Trump or Carson, all the forces of corruption have converged behind Hillary: the Democrats, the establishment Republicans, the pundits, the corporations, the C of C, fat cat donors. Sorry to be dramatic about it, but it really does look like a very clear crossroads for America, evil versus good.

quote:

Originally posted by justjoe:
Some random thoughts. The main stream media has already begun to vilify Carson, but if he really does take a commanding lead over Trump-- you ain't seen nothin' yet. Any black who does not read from the progressive/commie script threatens so much of their propaganda and agenda that he or she is subjected to the most vile of assaults. Locally, the Harrisburg Patriot has already begun, running a cartoon yesterday showing Carson with the top of his skull removed and smokey vapors rising. The caption was: "I thought that to be a brain surgeon you had to have one." This for a man who lifted himself out of poverty, and rose to prominence in a field so challenging it is a cliche of difficulty: "This ain't brain surgery." And if his lead opens, it will get much, much worse. Leftists can't be racists, so their racism will be running free.

Fox numbers seem to be holding steady. I thought they would drop after conservative disgust with Princess Megan. But I always suspected that O'Reilly had such high numbers because his audience was not really conservative. Those who self-identify that way are not exactly "lofos" -- but close to that. Watching that windbag is what they take for "staying informed." Same with Kelly.

Trump benefits, in the long run, from the shift in focus to Carson. It slows or even prevents "Trump fatigue" from setting in.

As Jeb becomes a joke, and the choice seems to be shaping up as Hillary versus Trump or Carson, all the forces of corruption have converged behind Hillary: the Democrats, the establishment Republicans, the pundits, the corporations, the C of C, fat cat donors. Sorry to be dramatic about it, but it really does look like a very clear crossroads for America, evil versus good.

Good analysis. Thank you.

Trump to host Saturday Night Live tonight

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:
Seems that some of the candidates are upset that Trump gets the huge upscale green room for him and his people at tonight's debate, while guys like Rand Paul get the bathroom



Trump's on the left, Paul's on the right. Christie is complaining too. Too bad these guys never heard the phrase "coffee is for closers"

Reminds me of the rooms in "Win Ben Stein's Money".