Is Ben Carson Running for President?

[HooFighter]

Answer - probably not

On February 7, 2013, Ben Carson appeared at a National Prayer Breakfast, where he visibly annoyed President Obama by delivering a right-wing speech denouncing Obamacare and cultural liberalism, and calling for a flat tax based on the biblical tithe. Conservatives, still devastated by Obama’s reelection, took delight in the appearance on the scene of a surprising new presidential antagonist, who until that point had no political profile. “Finally, a self-reliant conservative decided to make this every bit as political as Obama does,” tweeted conservative pundit David Limbaugh. The Wall Street Journal celebrated Carson’s remarks in a short editorial, headlined “Ben Carson for President.” The headline was obviously hyperbolic; nothing in the text that followed proposed that Carson run for public office.

But now Carson actually is running for president. Or is he? It is hard to tell. Conservative politics are so closely intermingled with a lucrative entertainment complex that it is frequently impossible to distinguish between a political project (that is, something designed to result in policy change) and a money-making venture. Declaring yourself a presidential candidate gives you access to millions of dollars' worth of free media attention that can build a valuable brand. So the mere fact that Carson calls himself a presidential candidate does not prove he is actually running for president rather than taking advantage of the opportunity to build his brand. Indeed, it is possible to be actually leading the polls without seriously trying to win the presidency.

And the notion that Carson could be president is preposterous. The problem is not only that he has never run for elected office. He has never managed a large organization; he has not worked in and around public policy, and he lacks a competent grasp of issues. His stance on health care, the closest thing to an issue with which his professional experience has brought him into contact, is gibberish. He mostly thrills audiences by scoffing at evolution and insisting Muslims be barred from the presidency, stances he cannot even defend coherently.

It is possible that Carson has come to genuinely believe that he is qualified to serve as president. (As a follower of the conspiracy theorist W. Cleon Skousen, Carson seems to subscribe in earnest to a series of completely fantastical beliefs.) It is also possible that Carson is being manipulated by staffers who stand to profit off their association with him. But the most likely explanation for his behavior is that Carson himself is in this thing to make a lot of money.

Carson is doing a lot of things that seem puzzling for a presidential campaign, but quite logical for a brand-building exercise. He is taking weeks off the campaign trail to go on a book tour. His campaign itself is structured much more like a scamming venture than a political one. An astronomical 69 percent of his fund-raising totals are spent on more fund-raising. (Bernie Sanders, by contrast, spends just 4 percent of his intake on fund-raising.) In addition to direct mail, Carson seems to have undertaken a massive phone-spamming operation. Spending most of your money to raise more money is not a good way to get elected president, but it is a good way to build a massive list of supporters that can later be monetized. Perhaps it is a giveaway that the official title for Armstrong Williams, the figure running the Carson “campaign,” is “business manager,” as opposed to “campaign manager.” It does suggests that Carson is engaged in a for-profit venture.

Carson’s combination of flamboyantly reactionary statements and subdued (to the point of appearing medicated) persona lend him an aura of trust and honesty. Carson’s supporters see him as a brave truth-teller; his critics think he’s genuinely nuts. Even those concerned with his methods grant him the presumption of innocence — right-wing commentator Erick Erickson, running down Carson’s astronomical fund-raising costs, frets, “I suspect there are some who see Carson as a cash cow.” But it is a fallacy to imagine that a kook cannot also be a scammer. There is a long tradition of cult leaders, televangelists, and other snake-oil salesmen who were both.

Carson’s relationship with Mannatech, a medical-supplement operator that uses misleading claims to exploit Christian customers, may provide the most revealing window into his methodology. Consider the utterly calm and putatively genuine way in which Carson flatly denied a question at the last debate about his business relationship with Mannatech:

If you have the facts in mind — Carson maintained an extensive relationship with the company — when you watch this answer, his unflinching dishonesty has a chilling quality. He is a perfect con artist. And his history with Mannatech seems to serve as a precursor to his current enterprise. Carson used his inspiring story to pitch credulous (overwhelmingly Christian) customers. Carson has simply moved on to a bigger stage and cut out the middleman. The old scam was using the Ben Carson brand to pitch Mannatech. The new scam is pitching Ben Carson.

[RiverguyVT]

Conservative politics are so closely intermingled with a lucrative entertainment complex that it is frequently impossible to distinguish between a political project (that is, something designed to result in policy change) and a money-making venture.

^This,^ a charge coming from the left?!?!!

I couldn't read any further, as tears of laughter blurred my vision.

[awesome guy]

Conservative politics are so closely intermingled with a lucrative entertainment complex that it is frequently impossible to distinguish between a political project (that is, something designed to result in policy change) and a money-making venture.

^This,^ a charge coming from the left?!?!!

I couldn't read any further, as tears of laughter blurred my vision.

Shhhh, I like how Hoof conveniently forgets about the Clinton Crime Syndicate. Let them keep bringing the issue up, they'll get waxed on it. It's also another great example of the Oakton doctrine of the left vehemently accusing the right of exactly what they're guilty of.

[HokieHam]

Conservative politics are so closely intermingled with a lucrative entertainment complex that it is frequently impossible to distinguish between a political project (that is, something designed to result in policy change) and a money-making venture.

^This,^ a charge coming from the left?!?!!

I couldn't read any further, as tears of laughter blurred my vision.

Seriously.....

Could you imagine if they dug this deep into 0bumbles?

[HokieHam]

Oh, and that last paragraph calling Carson a con artist??? LOL. Hope and Change!

[HooFighter]

If there's one thing I've learned from this board it's that a post with a bunch of dismissive responses is usually one that hits close to home.

[awesome guy]

If there's one thing I've learned from this board it's that a post with a bunch of dismissive responses is usually one that hits close to home.

[HokieHam]

Didn't hit anything. LOL. I'm actually hoping he drops out of the race. I'm sure you would read an article from a right sided view.......after it said something relatively moronic......I'm really sure you would......not.

[HooFighter]

Didn't hit anything. LOL. I'm actually hoping he drops out of the race. I'm sure you would read an article from a right sided view.......after it said something relatively moronic......I'm really sure you would......not.

Then we agree that he's not even remotely qualified to be president? That's all the article said.

[awesome guy]

Didn't hit anything. LOL. I'm actually hoping he drops out of the race. I'm sure you would read an article from a right sided view.......after it said something relatively moronic......I'm really sure you would......not.

Then we agree that he's not even remotely qualified to be president? That's all the article said.

Are you really this stupid?

[RiverguyVT]

Conservative politics are so closely intermingled with a lucrative entertainment complex that it is frequently impossible to distinguish between a political project (that is, something designed to result in policy change) and a money-making venture.

^This,^ a charge coming from the left?!?!!

I couldn't read any further, as tears of laughter blurred my vision.

Shhhh, I like how Hoof conveniently forgets about the Clinton Crime Syndicate. Let them keep bringing the issue up, they'll get waxed on it. It's also another great example of the Oakton doctrine of the left vehemently accusing the right of exactly what they're guilty of.

conservatives...closely intermingled w/ the entertainment industry...LMAO. I still can't stop laughing. All those damn hard right Hollywood types, you know..

Easily one of the stupidest things I've read here, and that's saying something.

[awesome guy]

Conservative politics are so closely intermingled with a lucrative entertainment complex that it is frequently impossible to distinguish between a political project (that is, something designed to result in policy change) and a money-making venture.

^This,^ a charge coming from the left?!?!!

I couldn't read any further, as tears of laughter blurred my vision.

Shhhh, I like how Hoof conveniently forgets about the Clinton Crime Syndicate. Let them keep bringing the issue up, they'll get waxed on it. It's also another great example of the Oakton doctrine of the left vehemently accusing the right of exactly what they're guilty of.

conservatives...closely intermingled w/ the entertainment industry...LMAO. I still can't stop laughing. All those damn hard right Hollywood types, you know..

Easily one of the stupidest things I've read here, and that's saying something.

yeah, one day they may even have a former chief of staff take over the morning news of a major network. Or create a multimillion dollar industry around global warming unlike the straight shooters on the left. Or sell uranium deals to the Russians.

[Hokie CPA]

Answer - probably not

And the notion that Carson could be president is preposterous. The problem is not only that he has never run for elected office. He has never managed a large organization; he has not worked in and around public policy, and he lacks a competent grasp of issues. His stance on health care, the closest thing to an issue with which his professional experience has brought him into contact, is gibberish. He mostly thrills audiences by scoffing at evolution and insisting Muslims be barred from the presidency, stances he cannot even defend coherently.

Sounds a lot like Obama in 2008, the only difference being he'd been an Illinois state senator and an absentee US Senator from Illinois by that time. If Obama is such a roaring success, then there's no reason to believe Carson wouldn't be as well. ::shrug::

[RiverguyVT]

Didn't hit anything. LOL. I'm actually hoping he drops out of the race. I'm sure you would read an article from a right sided view.......after it said something relatively moronic......I'm really sure you would......not.

Then we agree that he's not even remotely qualified to be president? That's all the article said.

Depends what is, is.

Is "being qualified" meaning to have been a community organizer with no real political achievements before being elected president? The guy we have now is in now way shape nor form qualified, but that didn't stop thousands of morons from voting for him..some several times.

[HokieFanDC]

If there's one thing I've learned from this board it's that a post with a bunch of dismissive responses is usually one that hits close to home.

That, and the pavlovian response of, "but Obama...derrrr". When you can't defend something, dismiss the source, or bring up Obama/Bush.

[awesome guy]

If there's one thing I've learned from this board it's that a post with a bunch of dismissive responses is usually one that hits close to home.

That, and the pavlovian response of, "but Obama...derrrr". When you can't defend something, dismiss the source, or bring up Obama/Bush.

responses like just prove why you typically express yourself in pictures instead of trying to articulate a point.

[RiverguyVT]

If there's one thing I've learned from this board it's that a post with a bunch of dismissive responses is usually one that hits close to home.

That, and the pavlovian response of, "but Obama...derrrr". When you can't defend something, dismiss the source, or bring up Obama/Bush.

[Major Kong]

Well I read the entire missive and thought to myself well hellfar this is one of the better Onion articles I've read lately.

Then I went back and looked at the originating site NY Mag and the author...a huge fan of Rich Rod...and came to the conclusion of another Wolverine involved in the Danny Coale scandal

[HokieHam]

Didn't hit anything. LOL. I'm actually hoping he drops out of the race. I'm sure you would read an article from a right sided view.......after it said something relatively moronic......I'm really sure you would......not.

Then we agree that he's not even remotely qualified to be president? That's all the article said.

Uhhhh, thats not all the article said. I would prefer someone with more political experience. But then again, I'm sick of that too. What we don't need is another unqualified candidate like the current office holder......

[USN_Hokie]

Didn't hit anything. LOL. I'm actually hoping he drops out of the race. I'm sure you would read an article from a right sided view.......after it said something relatively moronic......I'm really sure you would......not.

Then we agree that he's not even remotely qualified to be president? That's all the article said.

Are you really this stupid?

Hoof thinks only career politicians are qualified to be President....because they've been doing such a great job so far.

[awesome guy]

Didn't hit anything. LOL. I'm actually hoping he drops out of the race. I'm sure you would read an article from a right sided view.......after it said something relatively moronic......I'm really sure you would......not.

Then we agree that he's not even remotely qualified to be president? That's all the article said.

Are you really this stupid?

Hoof thinks only career politicians are qualified to be President....because they've been doing such a great job so far.

He's not even getting at that. He thinks republicans run just to create media empires. Like he and the dopey author are saying about Carson, he's just creating a brand to exploit via the campaign. You know, because Palin was able to use her media degree and experience to find work in media after the 08 election. It was all a giant ploy to sell blog page hits. And of course Hoof doesn't care about political experience as he supported the great unknown and unqualified Obama. It's just dumb talking points. Like I pointed out above, they want to vilify someone like Herman Cain for writing a book all the while having autographed copies of Hillary's books and maybe even getting her to act on his behalf when she was SOS, provided the price was right via a donation to the Clinton Foundation.

[USN_Hokie]

If there's one thing I've learned from this board it's that a post with a bunch of dismissive responses is usually one that hits close to home.

It's a silly article, don't be surprised by silly responses. The underpants gnome logic seems to be:

1. Presidential candidates get a lot of exposure and can make a lot of money as a result (ok, this applies to all candidates).
2. Carson has a book! (what candidates don't have books?).

3. Look, evidence! [quotes in italics, my comments in red]

And the notion that Carson could be president is preposterous. The problem is not only that he has never run for elected office. [oh no, you mean someone who's not a career politician? What will we do?] He has never managed a large organization [Neither had Obama] ; he has not worked in and around public policy, and he lacks a competent grasp of issues [conjecture]. His stance on health care, the closest thing to an issue with which his professional experience has brought him into contact, is gibberish [conjecture]. He mostly thrills audiences by scoffing at evolution and insisting Muslims be barred from the presidency, stances he cannot even defend coherently.[conjecture]

Carson is doing a lot of things that seem puzzling for a presidential campaign, but quite logical for a brand-building exercise. He is taking weeks off the campaign trail to go on a book tour. [No, he didn't http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/42 ... m-geraghty ] His campaign itself is structured much more like a scamming venture than a political one. An astronomical 69 percent of his fund-raising totals are spent on more fund-raising. (Bernie Sanders, by contrast, spends just 4 percent of his intake on fund-raising.) [ That's actually about average. Hillary Clinton is spending 86% of her fundraising on more fundraising: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc ... ng/410839/ ] In addition to direct mail, Carson seems to have undertaken a massive phone-spamming operation. Spending most of your money to raise more money is not a good way to get elected president [He better tell Hillary about that ], but it is a good way to build a massive list of supporters that can later be monetized [For what....oh, I don't know...maybe a farking primary?]. Perhaps it is a giveaway that the official title for Armstrong Williams, the figure running the Carson “campaign,” is “business manager,” as opposed to “campaign manager.” It does suggests that Carson is engaged in a for-profit venture. [actually, Ben Carson's Campaign Manager is Barry Bennett. The author could have spent 5 seconds googling that ]

4.

[HokieJoe]

Conservative politics are so closely intermingled with a lucrative entertainment complex that it is frequently impossible to distinguish between a political project (that is, something designed to result in policy change) and a money-making venture.

^This,^ a charge coming from the left?!?!!

I couldn't read any further, as tears of laughter blurred my vision.

That right there is comedy-freaking-gold!

[HokieJoe]

If there's one thing I've learned from this board it's that a post with a bunch of dismissive responses is usually one that hits close to home.

It's a silly article, don't be surprised by silly responses. The underpants gnome logic seems to be:

1. Presidential candidates get a lot of exposure and can make a lot of money as a result (ok, this applies to all candidates).
2. Carson has a book! (what candidates don't have books?).

3. Look, evidence! [quotes in italics, my comments in red]

And the notion that Carson could be president is preposterous. The problem is not only that he has never run for elected office. [oh no, you mean someone who's not a career politician? What will we do?] He has never managed a large organization [Neither had Obama] ; he has not worked in and around public policy, and he lacks a competent grasp of issues [conjecture]. His stance on health care, the closest thing to an issue with which his professional experience has brought him into contact, is gibberish [conjecture]. He mostly thrills audiences by scoffing at evolution and insisting Muslims be barred from the presidency, stances he cannot even defend coherently.[conjecture]

Carson is doing a lot of things that seem puzzling for a presidential campaign, but quite logical for a brand-building exercise. He is taking weeks off the campaign trail to go on a book tour. [No, he didn't http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/42 ... m-geraghty ] His campaign itself is structured much more like a scamming venture than a political one. An astronomical 69 percent of his fund-raising totals are spent on more fund-raising. (Bernie Sanders, by contrast, spends just 4 percent of his intake on fund-raising.) [ That's actually about average. Hillary Clinton is spending 86% of her fundraising on more fundraising: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc ... ng/410839/ ] In addition to direct mail, Carson seems to have undertaken a massive phone-spamming operation. Spending most of your money to raise more money is not a good way to get elected president [He better tell Hillary about that ], but it is a good way to build a massive list of supporters that can later be monetized [For what....oh, I don't know...maybe a farking primary?]. Perhaps it is a giveaway that the official title for Armstrong Williams, the figure running the Carson “campaign,” is “business manager,” as opposed to “campaign manager.” It does suggests that Carson is engaged in a for-profit venture. [actually, Ben Carson's Campaign Manager is Barry Bennett. The author could have spent 5 seconds googling that ]

4.

Oh my, this article is even dumber than I thought. I wonder if the 'writer' would like to address all of the questionable donations that 0bama received? What's that saying about busted 2x6's in one's eye? Or something or other.

[HokieJoe]

Didn't hit anything. LOL. I'm actually hoping he drops out of the race. I'm sure you would read an article from a right sided view.......after it said something relatively moronic......I'm really sure you would......not.

Then we agree that he's not even remotely qualified to be president? That's all the article said.

Oh lawd hoofighter. C'mon dude. Obama had zippo qualifications. He was a community organizer with not even a bare minimum of 'experience' that would qualify him for the office of POTUS. So, when I see an article attacking Carson's qualifications I can't do anything but shake my head or laugh. I haven't made up my mind over who I'll support from the R side, but this article reads like the stoned rationalizations of a community college gazette writer. Hitting close to home? No, ridiculous article deserve ample ridicule.