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Ben Carson: “I Do Not See a Political Path Forward”
Dr. Ben Carson has apparently decided to drop out of the race. He posted the following statement to his Facebook page moments ago:
Published in PoliticsI have decided not to attend the Fox News GOP Presidential Debate tomorrow night in Detroit. Even though I will not be in my hometown of Detroit on Thursday, I remain deeply committed to my home nation, America. I do not see a political path forward in light of last evening’s Super Tuesday primary results. However, this grassroots movement on behalf of “We the People” will continue. Along with millions of patriots who have supported my campaign for President, I remain committed to Saving America for Future Generations. We must not depart from our goals to restore what God and our Founders intended for this exceptional nation.
I appreciate the support, financial and otherwise, from all corners of America. Gratefully, my campaign decisions are not constrained by finances; rather by what is in the best interests of the American people.
I will discuss more about the future of this movement during my speech on Friday at CPAC in Washington, D.C.
– Ben
Hurt him in Iowa.
I was reacting more to the other members than the initial post. Should he stay in after Friday, however, it will be hard to see this announcement as anything else than trying to get his name into the newscycle, a kind of desperate “Look at me!”
A lot of people think Trump lost Iowa in part because he skipped the Fox debate just before the caucuses.
Carson in not in nearly the same position, support-wise, where he can afford to lose votes due to skipping a debate. Carson’s out.
Too little too late, Ben.
But he said skipping the debate hurt him in Iowa and that he wouldn’t do it again — and people watched the debate. If Trump doesn’t show, Rubio and Cruz are going to make fun of him to the skies for cowardice. Does he want that, either? Can he afford to give them hours of free airtime without himself in the picture?
Hope he’s bowing out. He’s more useful elsewhere than prolonging the vote-splitting with no chance of winning himself. I’d be shocked if his voters went to Trump. Carson’s backing is not just for an outsider but based on his decency and morality. Those supporters are turned off by Trump’s antics and are more likely to look elsewhere.
He knows he looked awful in the last debate. He’s afraid to be on stage with the Hermanos Cubanos.
He will be Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Trump administration.
I hope Megan hammers Trump Thursday night – that would be awesome!
I remember when someone thought Dr. Carson was out because he wasn’t going to show up in New Hampshire after Iowa and look at how much dust that stirred up….
He was going to NH though. :)
I am looking for his FEC statements in a few months, expecting that Carson’s fund-raising costs and the enrichment of his fund-raisers will be scandalous. A naif plucked by professionals.
I know some Carson supporters. Based on their inclinations and reasoning, I would think that most of Carson’s voters would go to Cruz, with a handful to Trump, still fewer to Rubio.
Surgeon General
Too much.
Gifted hands, questionable political judgement
I still contend to this day his best prudent political path was running for Senate in the seat vacated by Mikulski. Another GOP senator from typically liberal Maryland which recently flirted with a GOP governor. Baltimore was his long time backyard and his unity message could have played well with the recent turmoil.
People really shouldn’t assume that sort of thing about Ben Carson. Assuming that sort of thing about Ben Carson got Ted Cruz in a heap of trouble . . .
I love Ben Carson. But I can’t understand how a successful pediatric neurosurgeon, a doctor (a group not known for being mealy-mouthed and ambiguous, believe me), who must have been very good at making critical decisions when lives were on the line, can be so vague about his campaign.
Is he in, or out?
Carson is a thoroughly admirable man. I don’t think he has all the necessary qualifications to be our president, but then neither does the Donald.
On the other hand, I would not go to any of the other candidates for my neurosurgery needs.
I liked Ben Carson – he was the best example of dignity, grace and wisdom and I am surprised that he did not garner more the of black vote. I hope he becomes Surgeon General if willing.
I don’t know if this means Carson is going to drop out, but he didn’t just say that he was skipping a debate. He also said: “I do not see a political path forward in light of last evening’s Super Tuesday primary results.”
My conclusion is that he’s decided to drop out, but hasn’t decided what to say about it, whether to endorse someone else, and if so, who to endorse. He’ll probably answer these questions on Friday at CPAC.
We hope.
That’s it in a nutshell. He’s taken the wind out of the sails of the “get out!’ voices with his decision not to debate, and his strong hint (no political path forward) that he won’t continue the race. It also gives him a brighter spotlight at CPAC for his grand finale “unifying” speech. His withdrawal will be principled and less likely to be seen as a mere surrender to the political reality.
A “unifying” speech also sets him up for a possible endorsement of Cruz, but that’s admittedly speculative (okay, it’s a long-shot).
Agree, his current overall lead was marginally impacted by not placing 1st in Iowa. How many other Republicans did he finish ahead of in Iowa? I believe he finished 2nd there. Recalling a 2nd place finish in Iowa seems like harping over small potatoes after Super Tuesday.
White House Communications Director for the Cruz administration.
It sounded to me like he was continuing the campaign, while admitting he isn’t going to win.
Edit: Nevermind. Already been said.