Ben Carson For President? Former Hopkins Neurosurgeon To Air His Life's Story
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Campaign 2016. Maryland resident and world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson could become the first candidate to officially launch his bid to become the Republican presidential nominee.
Derek Valcourt explains speculation has reached a fever pitch thanks to a new video set to air in dozens of cities this weekend.
Carson may be a familiar name in Maryland, but this video will in effect introduce the rising conservative star to Americans who don't yet know him.
His work as a neurosurgeon earned former Hopkins doctor Ben Carson world renown and even a presidential medal of freedom. But since his retirement from medicine, it's his political views that have earned him attention.
"Obamacare is really, I think, the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery," Carson said in October, 2013.
Those kinds of sentiments have brought love from conservatives, who've encouraged him to run for president in 2016.
And now this weekend, a new paid biographical video about Carson produced by his backers will air in more than three dozen major cities, including Baltimore.
"And this is the way to introduce himself to the electorate," said Matthew Crenson, political analyst.
Crenson says Carson's views may help him play well in Republican primaries.
"He can go farther to the right than a white candidate could--because of his race, because he'll attract African-American votes," said Crenson.
Carson's views, including his support for a flat tax and opposition to same-sex marriage, would ultimately keep him from becoming president, says political analyst Richard Vatz.
"Also he has no experience. The last person without any political experience to become president was Dwight Eisenhower," Vatz said.
But Vatz says running for president will up Carson's name recognition and could ultimately set him up for some other position in politics.
Another major hint came Friday when Fox News confirmed they have cut ties with Carson, who had been a contributor for the network--a move they've done with several of their other Republican contributors in the past, including Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum just before they announced their presidential campaigns.
Carson has not formally announced his candidacy.
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