Ben Carson has outdone himself this time. When asked about Muslim-Americans who practice sharia law and also believe in American democracy in an interview with the conservative news service Breitbart, presidential candidate and retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson said, "Only if they're schizophrenic. I don't see how they can do it otherwise, because you have two different philosophies.
The problem with this is that by saying this, Ben Carson is alienating a whole religion of people who align almost perfectly with conservative ideals and the Republican cause.
Think about the things Christians, Jews, and Muslims are all against. Gay marriage, abortions, legalization of drugs, etc. Believe it or not, before the Muslim-hating bandwagon got rolling in 2001, most Muslims were Republicans, or shared their conservative values!
A Pew Research poll done in 2015 found that there were 3.3 million Muslims living in America, which comprises about 1% of the population. Imagine what politicians could do with a whole percentage point of support! Most elections come within at least 10% (though often closer to 5%), so every single person counts!
If Republicans want to start winning in America, they need to galvanize the Muslim population into becoming politically active. This can only happen if Republicans show Muslims the same respect they show evangelical Christians.
Ben Carson is the wrong person to do that.
Showing posts with label Ben Carson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ben Carson. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Monday, February 15, 2016
Debates No Longer Matter
Anyone who watching the debate in South Carolina on Saturday night knows that it was a tough night for The Donald. He was booed by the audience multiple times, got steamrolled by Jeb(!), Rubio, and (debatable) Cruz.
But debates no longer matter in the race for the presidential nomination in the Republican Party.
If we voted for people by debate performance, Marco Rubio would be on top, most likely followed by Ted Cruz, and (arguably) New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. If debates actually influenced voters at all, Trump would be the one that dropped out, and Fiorina, Christie, Paul, and Graham might still be in the race.
Instead, the debates have turned into a poop-slinging contest between the candidates like howler monkeys.
Ouch.
There's no longer any point to hosting the debates. It just gives the Democrats (who have had wonderful and engaging debates) more and more traction with voters, who see Republicans as the bully that steals your lunch money on the playground.
Granted, this isn't all Republicans. Ohio Governor John Kasich has prided himself on staying above the insults (which he has mostly done), and no one is more famous for his calm demeanor than retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson.
The Republican candidates have turned their (mostly) hawkish foreign policy ideas into a hawkish debate strategy, and it will end up hurting their bids for the Presidency far more than any of them can imagine.
If the WWE Smackdown between the candidates doesn't stop soon, I feel almost as if we will have a Democratic President for 2016.
Bummer.
But debates no longer matter in the race for the presidential nomination in the Republican Party.
If we voted for people by debate performance, Marco Rubio would be on top, most likely followed by Ted Cruz, and (arguably) New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. If debates actually influenced voters at all, Trump would be the one that dropped out, and Fiorina, Christie, Paul, and Graham might still be in the race.
Instead, the debates have turned into a poop-slinging contest between the candidates like howler monkeys.
Ouch.
There's no longer any point to hosting the debates. It just gives the Democrats (who have had wonderful and engaging debates) more and more traction with voters, who see Republicans as the bully that steals your lunch money on the playground.
Granted, this isn't all Republicans. Ohio Governor John Kasich has prided himself on staying above the insults (which he has mostly done), and no one is more famous for his calm demeanor than retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson.
The Republican candidates have turned their (mostly) hawkish foreign policy ideas into a hawkish debate strategy, and it will end up hurting their bids for the Presidency far more than any of them can imagine.
If the WWE Smackdown between the candidates doesn't stop soon, I feel almost as if we will have a Democratic President for 2016.
Bummer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)