Next GOP Presidential Dropout

Dr, Ben Carson can be proud of himself. He has risen from political obscurity to being a real presidential contender.

Dr. Carson proved, yet again how the GOP is more diverse and ingratiating of minorities than the Democrats could ever hope to be, though this is no thanks to the GOP.

Regardless, Dr. Carson’s campaign is about to come to an end.

 


As reported in the Washington Post, there has been a big shake-up in his staff.

Three of Ben Carson’s high-ranking advisers, including campaign manager Barry Bennett, quit Thursday following an internal power struggle, a sharp decline in the polls and a week of confusion about who would remain on the retired neurosurgeon’s presidential campaign team.

“Barry Bennett and I have resigned from the Carson campaign effective immediately,” said departed communications director Doug Watts in a statement to The Washington Post. “We respect the candidate and we have enjoyed helping him go from far back in the field to top tier status.” Hours later, Carson’s deputy campaign manager Lisa Coen also submitted her resignation.

Armstrong Williams, Carson’s longtime confidant and business adviser, told The Washington Post that retired Army general Robert F. Dees, a campaign foreign policy adviser whom the candidate first met at church this year, would take over as chairman. Senior adviser Ed Brookover, a veteran Republican consultant, will manage the operation. Carson’s campaign described these moves as “announced enhancements that will shift the campaign into a higher gear.”

“Bob Dees is in charge and Dr. Carson will make that announcement on Monday in Washington,” Williams said in an interview. “Bob is a general. He knows how to manage and run a smooth organization.”

At this stage, Dr. Carson’s campaign staff is just figuring out how to wind things down, as there is no recovery from this stage. Either you are resonating or you are not.

Further, Carson can’t compete with the earned media capabilities of Donald Trump, nor does he have the legislative ability to create media, that Cruz, Rubio, and even Paul have. And finally, Dr. Carson just doesn’t know how to keep himself relevant.

The good news is this is not a GOP hit job, as it was with Herman Cain. Personally, I’m glad to see a noted man of color run for president and have a legitimate chance at having made it. At some point the Republicans and grass roots movement will figure out how to showcase that we are indeed to the place where real diversity occurs.

I’m betting it will be Ted Cruz who benefits the most from the imminent departure of Carson. Who knows; he may be more powerful as a private citizen, than he was as a candidate. Remember, it was Carson’s comments at the Prayer Breakfast that thrust him into the national spotlight, and challenged Obama’s theoretical grasp on “blackness.”

Let’s hope that Carson continues to chart a course.

 

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