Sunday, November 27, 2016

Ben Carson's Decision: To Trump, Or Not To Trump

By Douglas V. Gibbs
AuthorSpeakerInstructorRadio Host

When I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Ben Carson, he did not come across as a politician.  His soft demeaner is soothing, but as you talk to him, you realize there is a lot of strength behind that calm exterior.  Truth be said, politics was something he never thought he would be a part of.  So, when the possibility of being a member of Donald Trump's administration came up, originally, he said, "No."

Dr. Carson was on the short list for Secretary of Education and Secretary of Health and Human Services at one point.  But, he's not a political guy.  Heck, he didn't even want to run for President until a large enough list of signatures convinced him otherwise.

Now, the neurosurgeon turned former presidential candidate is saying otherwise.

While originally declining a position in Trump's cabinet because he feared he wasn't skilled enough to run a government agency, now he's not so sure that being a part of the Trump team is a bad thing, especially if that opportunity may lead to him being able to bring hope to the inner-cities.

"Basically, I've said my preference is to be outside and to act as an adviser, but if after going through the process they all conclude it would be much better to have me in the Cabinet, I would have to give that very serious consideration," Carson has now said.

Carson told Fox News' "Your World with Neil Cavuto" that a position as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is "one of the offers that is on the table."

"Our inner cities are in terrible shape," Carson said. "And they definitely need some real attention. There have been so many promises made over the last several decades and nothing has been done, so it certainly is something that has been a long-term interest of mine."

Carson is familiar with my emerging work with the Congress of Racial Equality, and I am figuring this may be a good opportunity for us to work together.  I am a firm believer that the transformation of our minority neighborhoods begins with targeting the culture with education.  Our program with CORE is designed to teach patriotic assimilation and the advantages of a constitutionally-based government to Hispanic and black communities so as to encourage liberty-participation, and dynamic economic market opportunities.

In another statement, Carson wrote in a Facebook post, "Winning the presidential election was only the first step for those who love traditional America and do not wish to fundamentally change it. Now the hard work begins of restoring the values that made us great.  After serious discussions with the Trump transition team, I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly to making our inner cities great for everyone ... An announcement is forthcoming about my role in helping to make America great again."

Trump tweeted that he was "seriously considering" Carson as the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

I am seriously considering Dr. Ben Carson as the head of HUD. I've gotten to know him well--he's a greatly talented person who loves people!
9:10 AM - 22 Nov 2016

Taking the position of Secretary of HUD, considering Carson's upbringing, and story of clawing his way out of poverty, seems like the perfect role for him in Trump's cabinet.  I am figuring when I meet with the Trump administration in April, as is currently scheduled, Dr. Carson will be a part of the group I will be discussing our CORE Civics and Constitution Studies program with.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

1 comment:

WJC007 said...

Is Gibbs rubbing elbows with Dr. Carson, or is Carson rubbing elbows with Gibbs? In view of Carson's presentments as a presidential candidate, the latter would unequivocally prove beneficial to Carson. In the event he does take a position with President Trump, maybe then a clear understanding within the executive would evolve regarding what IS the meaning and significance of our US Constitution.