Ben Carson Readies for Trump Attacks

TL;DR

Carson addresses campaign strategy and contrasts with Trump.

Transcript

earlier today John and I caught up with Dr Ben Carson he was in Overland Park Kansas on his book tour his new book out is called a more perfect union what we the people can do to reclaim our constitutional liberties we began by asking Dr Carson how it feels now to be the brand new front runner in the latest Bloomberg politics to Mo register Iowa po... Read More

Key Insights

• Dr. Ben Carson emphasizes that his campaign is about the people's will, not personal ambition, and he would consider stepping down if his support drastically decreased.
• Carson anticipates potential attacks from Donald Trump now that he leads in Iowa polls, but he plans to focus on issues rather than engaging in personal attacks.
• Carson differentiates himself from Trump on taxation, advocating for everyone to contribute, and on immigration, proposing a path to legal status for some undocumented immigrants.
• He stresses his calm temperament compared to Trump, acknowledging people's perception of him as 'half asleep' but assures he is fully engaged.
• Carson expresses concerns about the personal impact of Secret Service protection, valuing personal interactions with people despite the necessity of security.
• He declines opportunities like hosting 'Saturday Night Live,' emphasizing the seriousness of the presidential role and distancing himself from comedic portrayals.
• Carson defends his controversial analogies to Nazi Germany, clarifying his intent to prevent similar societal complacency and urging proactive measures.
• He criticizes Hillary Clinton's actions during the Benghazi incident, questioning her truthfulness and judgment, and expresses skepticism about her presidential qualifications.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Ben Carson's approach to campaign attacks from Donald Trump?

Ben Carson anticipates that Donald Trump may attack him now that he leads in Iowa polls. However, Carson plans to continue focusing on discussing the issues rather than engaging in personal attacks against Trump or other candidates. He emphasizes a campaign strategy centered on the people's will and substantive policy discussions.

Q: How does Carson's immigration policy differ from Trump's?

Carson's immigration policy proposes a path to legal status, not citizenship, for undocumented immigrants with a clean record. He suggests a registration period, back tax penalties, and future tax contributions. This contrasts with Trump's stance, which includes mass deportation, a measure Carson deems impractical and potentially harmful to industries like farming.

Q: What are Carson's views on Secret Service protection?

Carson acknowledges the necessity of Secret Service protection but expresses concern about its impact on his personal life. He values personal interactions and worries that constant security will change how he and his family engage with others. Despite these concerns, he recognizes the importance of protection for safety purposes.

Q: Why does Carson decline to host 'Saturday Night Live'?

Carson declines to host 'Saturday Night Live' because he views the presidency as a serious role and does not want to contribute to comedic portrayals of it. While he acknowledges that comedians will make fun of him, he prefers not to participate in activities that could undermine the gravity of the presidential position.

Q: What is Carson's response to criticism of his Nazi Germany analogies?

Carson defends his use of Nazi Germany analogies by explaining his intent to prevent societal complacency. He clarifies that he does not believe America is like Nazi Germany but stresses the importance of learning from past tragedies to avoid similar outcomes. He invites critics to discuss these views directly with him for clarification.

Q: How does Carson view Hillary Clinton's qualifications for presidency?

Carson questions Hillary Clinton's qualifications for the presidency, citing her handling of the Benghazi incident as evidence of prevarication and poor judgment. He criticizes her use of a private email server, suggesting it compromised national security, and argues that such actions demonstrate a lack of judgment necessary for presidential responsibilities.

Q: What is Carson's stance on taxation compared to Trump's?

Carson disagrees with Trump's plan to exclude a substantial number of people from federal taxes. He believes that everyone should have 'skin in the game' and contribute to taxes, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility in supporting government functions and maintaining fairness in the taxation system.

Q: How does Carson describe his temperament compared to Trump's?

Carson describes himself as a relatively calm person, contrasting with Trump's more aggressive demeanor. He acknowledges that some people perceive him as 'half asleep' but assures that he is fully alert and engaged. Carson's calmness is part of his broader approach to focusing on issues rather than personal attacks in the campaign.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dr. Ben Carson is currently leading in the Iowa polls, surpassing Donald Trump. He attributes his success to the people's will and remains focused on discussing issues rather than engaging in personal attacks. Carson differentiates his policies from Trump's, particularly on taxation and immigration, advocating for inclusive contributions and a path to legal status.

• Carson maintains a calm demeanor, contrasting with Trump's more aggressive style. He expresses concerns about the impact of Secret Service protection on personal interactions but acknowledges its necessity. Carson declines to participate in comedic roles, emphasizing the seriousness of the presidential position.

• Carson defends his controversial statements comparing current American society to Nazi Germany, clarifying his intent to prevent complacency. He criticizes Hillary Clinton's handling of the Benghazi incident, questioning her truthfulness and judgment. Carson remains focused on constitutional principles, attracting large crowds on his book tour.