Posted on 12/22/2014 3:53:30 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
The campaign to draft Dr. Ben Carson into a presidential run is clearly bigger than some flash in the pan and worthy of serious consideration, particularly given his showings in multiple polls. (Of course, I’ve been of the opinion for some time that he really doesn’t need that much coaxing and may well be enjoying the idea of needing to be teased into the fight.) One group which is most directly involved in the effort is Run Ben Run, which has already raised more than $12M toward the effort. But where is that money now? For the most part, it’s already gone.
Mr. Giles, who is preparing to be campaign chairman, projected raising $100 million to fuel a Carson campaign through the first four primaries by tapping small donors. Already, the Run Ben Run effort, a “super PAC,” has raised $12.2 million.
But behind that impressive cash haul is the problem facing most small-donor fund-raising: The group spent most of its income on direct mail and similar activities to raise its funds, according to the Federal Election Commission.
Armstrong Williams, Mr. Carson’s business manager and closest adviser, whose nickname for his friend is “Seabiscuit,” complained that Run Ben Run exists “to benefit the people that run it, not the Ben who’s running.”
The super PAC’s greatest asset is its record of thousands of small donors excited by Mr. Carson. But a Carson campaign would have to pay to use that list.
Both of the arguments in play over the PAC money should be familiar to political observers. On the one hand, running any sort of broad effort to raise awareness is expensive. Television ads in large markets are obviously pricey, but direct mail isn’t cheap either, particularly if you are talking about a national campaign rather than a single district. Sometimes the best you can do is hope to raise enough cash to pay for the next round of mailings, and in the process somehow raise the name recognition of the candidate.
But at the same time, many PACs have been plagued with accusations of blowing donor funds on fat salaries for the founders while doing very little in terms of actual grassroots activism. This has included Tea Party groups as well as liberal activist groups. Donors always need to do their own homework and find out how well the funds are being managed.
But what if they raise all this money and do all the work and Carson decides not to run? Will the energy be diverted to another candidate, let’s say… Ted Cruz? Probably not.
I don’t think we would support [Texas Sen. Ted] Cruz because I don’t think he can win.
I don’t think we would support Jeb Bush or Mitt Romney, because they’re just too close to the center and it’s more of the same…
I like what Ted Cruz says about the issues, but I think he’s a bull in a china shop. He’s too polarizing. The media will absolutely fry him every time he opens his mouth—not that they won’t go after Carson—but Carson is not loud. He’s not forceful. Ted Cruz will go on for hours about a given subject jumping up and down—again, I like his positions—I just don’t think his methods can get him elected.
Personally, I think Carson is serious, but at the same time realistically cautious. If it looks like there’s any daylight available for him to seize the nomination, I have no doubt that he’ll get in there and give it his best shot. But if the prospects look hopeless, he strikes me as somebody who is grounded enough to just move on and not sink that much of his life into a lost cause. He’s got a lot of work to do in terms of getting his message discipline down and avoiding self-inflicted wounds, but his obvious credentials as a genuine outsider will buy him a lot of forgiveness for that from the base.
Not sure why...but something doesnt quite fit for me about Carson...
This whole Ben Carson for President thing is getting really old.
AMEN.
George Washington!
Gen Eisenhower?
There was no government before George Washington.
Military experience is not political experience.
In military, there is discipline and line of authority.
That is opposite of political world.
I’m not unconvinced that this is not an unreadable headline.
You need to read Post #17. And if you think that flag officers aren’t politicians, you haven’t been around any. I have, in spades, and they are.
Yoohoo, I get to do my Washington thing.
entropy12 look at post 17, Washington was a career politician, without even getting into the vast experience in politics that running the Army is.
The media would TRY to fry Ted Cruz. But like Reagan, Cruz has a message that goes over the media and straight to people.
Maybe, but I don’t see Cruz getting much support outside of TX if that. I will be happy to support him, but I think TX and the other states will quickly fall in line for their Jebbie.
I’m not going to dismiss Dr. Carson out of hand. Let him make his case to the American people. Primaries exist for that purpose. As far as political experience, most voters are sick to death of political experience, which often translates into personal profiteering far more than serving.
Then why not vote for me? I have military, intelligence, workforce development, veterans affairs, human resources and campaign experience, unlike Dr. Carson. But then, I’m not black. Because that’s what it all boils down to, doesn’t it? Our desperate need to show that we’re not racist. I liken it to giving a six year old the keys to a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.
I don’t feel a need to vote for anyone based on their skin color. Dr. Carson is a self made man, his race has nothing to do with it. My preference is still Sarah Palin but it has nothing to do with her being a woman. To me, it’s about integrity, vision, stance on the issues in relation to the constitution, etc.
If you run, perhaps I’ll vote for you, based on the criteria I just mentioned.
I have to say that military experience, while appreciated, is not something I demand from a candidate. Military personnel are no better, no worse than the population at large. I have just as much regard for the men who pick up my trash each Friday morning. I thank them for their service, too.
Seriously? You equate military service to trash removal? Am I at DU?
I’m saying every person has value, so yes. DU doesn’t value individuals.
Ever consider how in the hell the military would survive if it weren’t for trash men, ups drivers and every one else pitching in, going to work and paying taxes in order to fund the best military the world has ever known?
Horseshit. You equated picking up trash to risking one’s life in the defense of the country.
Oh, c’mon, most military personnel are busy emptying waste baskets and filling out paperwork. I appreciate the work all of them do, especially those who go into battle, but I also appreciate not having stinking garage sitting on the curb. You don’t get it. You, in the military, aren’t any more important than anyone else. Most vets I know are humble enough to realize that.
My tagline; Palin/West. Sarah Palin has not served in the military and is a woman. Alan West served in the military, is a black man and also served in congress. None of that matters to me. It’s what they are made of, what they stand for and what I feel they can accomplish is why I support them.
Is your opinion of the military widespread in this country now? If so, it explains a lot.
How DARE you question such a noted physician, blah, blah, blah...
If you think I survived 6 layoffs and rose to the title of
Corporate manager of computer aided engineering and manufacturing without being political, you have not worked in a corporation in high positions. Corporate world is dog eat dog. I was an immigrant speaking with a noticeable accent. I just worked harder and made less enemies than my colleagues.
My point is all successful people are good politicians. But tj
hat is not same as politicians. Politicians can lie and get away with it. Military officers and corporate executives can not get away so easily with lies. That is the big difference. Ike and George Washington are famous for truthfulness, unlike Obama and Clinton, both two termers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.