This story is from cnn.com
Ted Cruz finished in first place in the annual Republican Leadership Conference's presidential straw poll at 30.33%. Dr. Ben Carson, a Fox News commentator and conservative activist, finished in second with 29.38% while Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, was third with 10.43%.
Fox News host and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Texas Governor Rick Perry rounded out the top five, at 5.06% and 4.90%, respectively.
Neither Carson nor Paul spoke at the conference, but their support was a show of confidence by the traditionally more conservative crowd. The annual meeting of activists features of who's who of big-name Republican politicians. It is an important appearance for potential presidential candidates to make.
Pretty funny, Carson a relative unknown closes on Cruz who's been running for a year.
ReplyDeleteAnd in the end, it really doesn't matter as the media and monied interests have yet to pick the candidate.
A Ben Carson sampler: In the 16 months since his speech to the National Prayer Breakfast made him an instant conservative celebrity, he has drawn a parallel between same-sex marriage, and pedophilia and bestiality; he has declared the United States “very much like Nazi Germany”; he has likened Obamacare to slavery; and he has called the veterans’ health-care scandal, in which some died while on waiting lists for medical appointments, “a gift from God” because it shows the ills of government health care.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comment from you both and I guess as usual with polarized opinions, the truth lies somewhere in between. I believe it was William who drew my attention to an inspiring speech by Dr Carson; it was recorded on video and available for me to view on my computer. I posted at the time that perhaps I had watched a speech from a future President of the US. I heard FDR and Ike and Kennedy in full flight and Carson was their equal in oratory.
ReplyDeleteTwo things bother me a little, Carson appears to suffer too much from religion, and I say suffer because he appears to rely on his god as much as his conscience. Perhaps Dr Ben will need to tone it down a bit as so many of those he may lead are far less god fearing than he. I wonder also, has Dr Carson been too upfront with his comments? I can see how and why the more right wing Republicans could embrace him but I wonder if there would be reluctance by the independents to follow the Tea Party endorsement (if it occurs). Somehow I think as outsiders, we are running into the most interesting Presidential election for decades.
Cheers from Aussie
An interesting choice isn't it.
DeleteAppears the Dems will front Hillary the first female president as candidate even with her baggage. Against possibly Ben Carson, the second black president as president. His baggage would be his religion which may be offensive to some, which in reality isn't. His biggest liability. His ideas on taxation and spending are his real liabilities as many of those paying taxes would be required to pay taxes and some would have a cut in freebies.
This may be an election where you hold your nose and vote for the least odoriferous candidate as happened in the last election.
Huh I thought you were all about Hilary at one time.
DeleteDr. Carson is obviously a highly educated and highly articulate man. He is also a world renowned surgeon. I have to agree, however, that he may come across too strong in his opinions for the average voter. Time, as always, will tell.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWant the doctors transcript or birth certificate? Want the hospital log regarding the whereabouts of the doctor during critical surgery? Want the tenor of the minister the doctor prays with?
ReplyDeleteComparing Dr. Carson with Barack Obama displays where we are as a society here in America.
In the latest 2016 Republican Primary polling data Dr. Carson isn't even mentioned. Here is the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_republican_presidential_nomination-3823.html
That says more about the state of polling than it does about Dr. Carson.
Deletela de da another radical republican popularity contest. Four of the five mentioned cannot win a general election. Huckabee would be the best contender of the bunch. Why? Most towards the center. We live in a centrist country. Sometimes left of center sometimes right of center but always in the center. Someday you guys will figure it out.
DeleteThe question is who will be your Michael Dukakis? the sacrificial lamb against Hilary.
DeleteIf you look at the polls I cited above, Huckabee is the only one who comes close to beating Hillary, and that is in only one state. The Republican candidates may have a chance if Hillary decides not to run, or if something unforseen happens before the election. But, it is still a long way off.
DeleteStatistically when a group as individuals runs against one solidified candidate early on in the race the various individuals are always at a disadvantage.
DeleteKeep in mind that Hillary was a shoe in early on for the '08 nomination.
I'm still not convinced that she runs.
I'm curious, William. Who would you like to see at the top of each ticket? Who do you think are the best candidates that the R & D's have to offer?
DeleteI like Paul and Cruz, both have Tea support. For the Dems I would favor Ron Wyden who is the best of the bunch.
DeleteReally Ron Wyden? Why because he supported Paul in his filibuster. poor reason to support the guy. Let's continue a dynasty. No not the Clintons. Louman's buddies the Udalls. Mark Udall for president and cuz Tom for VP. AND they have Tom Steyer's 100 million to run on. What do you think Louman,
DeleteMark Udall hasn't had an original thought since elementary school.
DeleteA follow the leader sort of representative.