Running behind GOP front-runner real estate mogul and former reality TV star Donald Trump, 63-year-old retired pediatric neurosurgeon proved he blows smoke with the best of them. Carson called President Barack Obama a “psychopath” March 25, before announcing for president May 3. Carson has big fans in the Obama-hating wing of the GOP, the part controlled by 42-year-old Reince Priebus and the Republican National Committee, whose favorite right wing news sites like NewsMax and Drudgereport rip Obama whenever possible. Carson often touts his past work as a neurosurgeon, when making some of the most outrageous gaffes ever witnessed in a political campaign. Calling homosexuality a “choice,” Carson likes to cite prison homosexuality as proof of what happens to ordinary heterosexuals when locked up in the nation’s prisons.
Called low-energy by Trump, Carson retorted, he spent extended hours separating conjoined twins, proving his political prowess. Calling Obamacare tantamount to “slavery” in 2013, Carson speaks a quiet hyperbole, making more outrageous comments than Trump or any other GOP candidate. “Like most psychopaths. That’s why they’re successful. That’s the way the look. They all look great,” Carson said of Obama after his Jan. 20, 2015 State-of-the-Union Speech. Revealing more about Carson than Obama, the former neurosurgeon gave a free X-ray into his personality. “He’s trying to sell what he thinks is not true. He’s sitting there saying, ‘These Americans are so stupid, I can tell them anything,” said Carson, revealing more about himself. Speaking in vague platitudes, it’s impossible to comprehend Carson’s meaning. Carson can’t pinpoint exactly what he objects to in Obama’s speeches and rhetoric.
When unable to answer the most basic domestic or foreign policy questions, Carson often harks back to his problem-solving skills as a pediatric neurosurgeon. Now judged by voters on his knowledge domestic and foreign policy, Carson tells voters when he can’t answer simple questions he’d pick competent folks to figure things out. Now feuding with Trump, Carson counters critiques of his low-energy style, telling folks you don’t have to be “loud” to have high energy. “I’m going after everybody in America because, you know, we live in very perilous times,” Carson told George Stepahnopoulos on ABC’s “This Week, not saying what he’s talking about. “Our country is in grave danger and if we don’t begin to change our direction and change our attitude, I think we may not survive the future,” said Carson, keeping things so vague, the strategy can only be one of quiet coercion.
Trump criticized Carson’s deal-making ability to host John Dickerson on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” I’m a deal-maker,” Trump told Dickerson. “I’ll make great deals for the country. Ben can’t do that. He’s a doctor, not a deal-maker,” prompting Carson to defend himself. “I have a lot of experience doing things,” Carson told Dickerson, not specifying what kind of things. “It’s ridiculous to think that the only thing I can do is neurosurgey,” said Carson, again offering no clarifications on what he’s done since retiring as a physician. Telling the public the country’s in danger plays to the same conspiratorial audience that likes to hear Carson ripping Obama on everything, especially the economy. Carson can’t produce any metrics to confirm to voters that the country’s really in desperate shape with Obama. Most of the GOP’s extreme right wing like to rip Obama without any material facts.
Carson’s running out of wiggle room on key issues related to the economy and foreign policy. When he faces CNN’s first GOP debate Sept. 16, he won’t be able to tout his past work as a neurosurgeon as proof of his readiness for president. Trump too faces a diminishing return talking about his real estate projects or old best-selling book. If Trump can’t explain how he’d manage the economy or U.S. foreign policy his front-runner status will also evaporate. Appearing with 2008 GOP nominee John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) VP pick Sarah Palin at a Tea Party rally Sept. 9 also didn’t help Trump’s credibility. Ripping Obama’s Iranian Nuke Deal after Democrats mustered enough votes to pass it through the Senate, made the GOP look petty and vindictive. It’s laughable to think Trump could have done better than Secretary of State John Kerry, who spent two torturous years dealing with Iran.
Speaking in vague generalities won’t win Trump or Carson too many votes as the Iowa Caucuses and New Hampshire Primary get closer. CNN’s Sept. 16 debate should expose both candidates’ limited knowledge of foreign and domestic policy. While Trump has the deep pockets to ramble on, Carson’s donors will lose patience if they see he’s not ready for primetime. While raising about $20 million to date, Carson doesn’t have any room for error, something that could torpedo his campaign if the Sept. 16 debate goes poorly. “I don’t think Ben has the energy,” said Trump, referring to Carson’s low-key style. “He doesn’t bother me because I have plenty of energy,” Carson defended himself, citing long hours put in as surgeon. Espousing his apocalyptic vision, Carson must answer more specifics, especially about his critiques of Obama’s economy and foreign policy.
