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Ben Carson returns after volunteer's death to a campaign fizzling out Ben Carson returns after volunteer's death to a campaign fizzling out
(7 months later)
Ben Carson’s steady decline has been a feature of the Republican primary race since the fall.Ben Carson’s steady decline has been a feature of the Republican primary race since the fall.
After briefly overtaking Donald Trump in late October, the former neurosurgeon has now sunk into a third tier of candidates. Carson has been hurt both by negative attacks by Trump, painting the sedate surgeon as “low energy”, as well as major questions about his foreign policy expertise, or lack thereof, in the aftermath of terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.After briefly overtaking Donald Trump in late October, the former neurosurgeon has now sunk into a third tier of candidates. Carson has been hurt both by negative attacks by Trump, painting the sedate surgeon as “low energy”, as well as major questions about his foreign policy expertise, or lack thereof, in the aftermath of terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.
On Thursday, Carson returned to the campaign trail for the first time in days after a volunteer died in a car accident on Tuesday. Braden Joplin was a 25-year-old from Texas who had come to Iowa to volunteer for the Carson campaign. Two other volunteers and one campaign staffer were also injured in the accident.On Thursday, Carson returned to the campaign trail for the first time in days after a volunteer died in a car accident on Tuesday. Braden Joplin was a 25-year-old from Texas who had come to Iowa to volunteer for the Carson campaign. Two other volunteers and one campaign staffer were also injured in the accident.
Joplin’s last post on Facebook simply said “Trust In God” and Carson’s town halls on Thursday and for the duration of the week were renamed Trust In God town halls. Carson began his remarks at the first of two stops in the town of Glenwood by comparing Joplin to Nathan Hale, a hero of the American revolution who was hanged by the British after being caught spying. Carson thought Hale, whose famous last words were “I only regret that I have one life to give to my country”, was a precursor to Joplin.Joplin’s last post on Facebook simply said “Trust In God” and Carson’s town halls on Thursday and for the duration of the week were renamed Trust In God town halls. Carson began his remarks at the first of two stops in the town of Glenwood by comparing Joplin to Nathan Hale, a hero of the American revolution who was hanged by the British after being caught spying. Carson thought Hale, whose famous last words were “I only regret that I have one life to give to my country”, was a precursor to Joplin.
Carson also delivered long stump speeches followed by question-and-answer sessions in which he addressed topics ranging from “homosexuals” to the risks posed to the US by an electromagnetic pulse attack caused by the detonation of a nuclear weapon in the upper atmosphere.Carson also delivered long stump speeches followed by question-and-answer sessions in which he addressed topics ranging from “homosexuals” to the risks posed to the US by an electromagnetic pulse attack caused by the detonation of a nuclear weapon in the upper atmosphere.
He also waxed philosophical at times, opining that “freedom isn’t free” and expressing his belief that Thomas Jefferson “would stroke out” if the author of the Declaration of Independence was alive today and saw the size of the federal debt.He also waxed philosophical at times, opining that “freedom isn’t free” and expressing his belief that Thomas Jefferson “would stroke out” if the author of the Declaration of Independence was alive today and saw the size of the federal debt.
Carson’s fading fortunes in the polls were matched by the skepticism of the attendees, many of whom were uncommitted. These voters included Bonnie Starlan of Atlantic, who said of Carson: “I read all of his books. I love his books ... I gave my family for Christmas this year Ben Carson books. Or the videos if I didn’t think their kids would read.” Starlan was also considering Ted Cruz because she worried “Carson wouldn’t win”. She added: “I love Carson. I would caucus for him except he’s so far down.”Carson’s fading fortunes in the polls were matched by the skepticism of the attendees, many of whom were uncommitted. These voters included Bonnie Starlan of Atlantic, who said of Carson: “I read all of his books. I love his books ... I gave my family for Christmas this year Ben Carson books. Or the videos if I didn’t think their kids would read.” Starlan was also considering Ted Cruz because she worried “Carson wouldn’t win”. She added: “I love Carson. I would caucus for him except he’s so far down.”
But some still stood by him. Winnie Munson of Silver City admired Carson’s “total demeanor” and religious faith. She was unconcerned about his lack of experience of elected office “because he is a talented man and will get people around him to work with him”. As a Carson supporter and loyal conservative, she muttered darkly about the fact that her candidate no longer appeared on Fox News. “It’s all Cruz and Trump,” she said. “They don’t even mention him any more.”But some still stood by him. Winnie Munson of Silver City admired Carson’s “total demeanor” and religious faith. She was unconcerned about his lack of experience of elected office “because he is a talented man and will get people around him to work with him”. As a Carson supporter and loyal conservative, she muttered darkly about the fact that her candidate no longer appeared on Fox News. “It’s all Cruz and Trump,” she said. “They don’t even mention him any more.”
Part of the reason Carson has faded is a campaign wracked by infighting and financial questions. His campaign has given consultants lavish salaries and racked up massive expenses on direct mail fundraising. Carson even took weeks off the campaign trail to sell his book. The result has raised questions about the ethical motivations of many around Carson. When asked after the Republican debate in Charleston last week if his campaign was a direct mail scam, Carson simply said: “Not that I know of.”Part of the reason Carson has faded is a campaign wracked by infighting and financial questions. His campaign has given consultants lavish salaries and racked up massive expenses on direct mail fundraising. Carson even took weeks off the campaign trail to sell his book. The result has raised questions about the ethical motivations of many around Carson. When asked after the Republican debate in Charleston last week if his campaign was a direct mail scam, Carson simply said: “Not that I know of.”
Voters seemed universally unaware of the internal drama in the campaign, which has also included an exodus of top staffers in recent weeks. In an article in Politico on Thursday, Carson’s former campaign manager was quoted on the record saying the neurosurgeon should drop out of the presidential race and endorse Donald Trump. When asked if he had any comment on Thursday, Carson said: “No, I don’t.”Voters seemed universally unaware of the internal drama in the campaign, which has also included an exodus of top staffers in recent weeks. In an article in Politico on Thursday, Carson’s former campaign manager was quoted on the record saying the neurosurgeon should drop out of the presidential race and endorse Donald Trump. When asked if he had any comment on Thursday, Carson said: “No, I don’t.”
In gaggles with reporters, Carson tried to project confidence about his performance in Iowa. “I actually expect to do quite well. I think people are going to be very surprised,” he told reporters. In what seemed to be a veiled dig at Trump, Carson said: “As we get closer and closer to vote I think more people will actually start thinking seriously about implications of the vote and maybe not vote so much on emotional basis as on rational basis.”In gaggles with reporters, Carson tried to project confidence about his performance in Iowa. “I actually expect to do quite well. I think people are going to be very surprised,” he told reporters. In what seemed to be a veiled dig at Trump, Carson said: “As we get closer and closer to vote I think more people will actually start thinking seriously about implications of the vote and maybe not vote so much on emotional basis as on rational basis.”
Related: How the Iowa caucuses work: a confusing election process explained
While the doctor was willing to take a very subtle shot at Trump, he was unwilling to criticize Cruz, who is his most formidable rival for the support of the state’s social conservatives. Just a day after a radio ad for an anonymous Super Pac hit Iowa airwaves criticizing Cruz for not tithing – giving 10% of one’s income to the church or to charity – Carson declined to jump on the Texas senator for only giving 1% of his income to charity.While the doctor was willing to take a very subtle shot at Trump, he was unwilling to criticize Cruz, who is his most formidable rival for the support of the state’s social conservatives. Just a day after a radio ad for an anonymous Super Pac hit Iowa airwaves criticizing Cruz for not tithing – giving 10% of one’s income to the church or to charity – Carson declined to jump on the Texas senator for only giving 1% of his income to charity.
While Carson made clear that he “certainly” tithes and that the practice is an important part of being a Christian for him, he would not criticize others for not doing the same. “I’m not going to sit here and talk about what other people should do and judge them,” the presidential hopeful said.While Carson made clear that he “certainly” tithes and that the practice is an important part of being a Christian for him, he would not criticize others for not doing the same. “I’m not going to sit here and talk about what other people should do and judge them,” the presidential hopeful said.
The neurosurgeon, who once led in Iowa, refused to predict a top three finish in the state where the saying traditionally goes that “there are three tickets out” after the caucuses. When asked if he would finish in the top three, Carson demurred. “Ask me the day after the caucus and I will answer that question for you.”The neurosurgeon, who once led in Iowa, refused to predict a top three finish in the state where the saying traditionally goes that “there are three tickets out” after the caucuses. When asked if he would finish in the top three, Carson demurred. “Ask me the day after the caucus and I will answer that question for you.”
The Iowa caucuses take place on 1 February and Carson has the support of only 6% of caucus-goers, according to the most recent poll from CNN.The Iowa caucuses take place on 1 February and Carson has the support of only 6% of caucus-goers, according to the most recent poll from CNN.