Carson Fever is real. The latest polls for the GOP nomination show him consistently in second place to Donald Trump. That’s not much comfort for the Republican party elite. They’d prefer Carson to Trump but earlier they thought Carson would be the “fringe” candidate they would never support.
While the Republican establishment might appreciate Carson bringing diversity to the table, they find his rhetoric embarrassing and get squeamish whenever he talks about abortion, slavery, et cetera … the kind of stuff respectable people don’t insert into the public discourse. They also see his lack of political experience as a red flag. He hasn’t gone through the Beltway boot camp, and can’t be trusted.
For those same reasons, the GOP base loves him. While Carson being black is a factor in his support, more important is that Carson hasn’t been tainted by service in public office. For those who haven’t noticed yet, GOP voters really don’t want a politician right now. They see them as complete phonies who talk a good game, who always talk about changing Washington, then get there and never do. The fact that Carson, like Trump, is completely unscripted is a breath of fresh air and a welcome departure from cheesy sound bites cooked up by consultants. It’s no wonder – and no coincidence – that the two top vote-getters right now are the two guys who have the weakest connection to the DC establishment crowd.
When it comes down to it, Carson fever (and Trump fever) is about GOP voters giving the powers-that-be the finger. They’re giving the finger to the media and their Democrat friends by supporting a black guy for president. They’re giving the finger to the GOP establishment by supporting “fringe” candidates who say what they want and don’t owe a thing to big donors.
Ultimately, GOP primary voters want a nominee who will give the middle finger to the media, to the Left, and to the Beltway crowd. Only those candidates who can successfully depict themselves as true outsiders are truly in contention. The others – well, just aren’t.
John Wynne is the “conservative voice” at PoliticsNC, where he also provides polling analysis and commentary on legislative campaigns. When not writing about politics, he enjoys gardening and listening to opera. Contact: johncwynne@gmail.com.
After all these years of despising Obama, I can’t see ‘the base’ going near another black president.
So I see you’re ALL OVER THE INTERNET trashing conservatives not just the “privileged white kids” at HPU
Ben Carson gives me the creeps. Why is that? I can’t quite put my finger on it.
If elected, Carson would probably be similar to Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court.
Ben Carson: Alan Keyes without the spittle.
Talking about abortion, slavery, and the confederate flag will lead to gaffes that will result in him dropping in the polls. Republicans choosing an inexperienced candidate with no public service experience will lead to a loss in the general election. Consequently, HRC, most likely to win in the general, will choose the next appointee to the Supreme Court, which will spur some noticeable change in the long term.
“While the Republican establishment might appreciate Carson bringing diversity to the table, they find his rhetoric embarrassing and get squeamish whenever he talks about abortion, slavery, et cetera … the kind of stuff respectable people don’t insert into the public discourse.”
THAT ^^^^ is absolutely, positively one of the strangest lines you’ve ever written, Mr. Wynne!
Here you have a major political party that uses the abortion issue AND the confederate heritage/flag issue to energize and solidify its core base, and you somehow believe that the GOP establishment finds one of their presidential candidate’s addressing such matters to be “embarrassing”??? Because “respectable people” don’t mention such things?? Really??
Wow. If that’s true, it’s amazingly two-faced of you and the GOP.
I am definitely no fan of Mr. Carson and would never laud or defend him (I think he’s nutzoid myself), but I have to say this just the same: your chosen wording makes me curious about whether there are other reasons why you and GOP’ers might not consider Carson to be “respectable people.”