DUBUQUE, Iowa — No one should dismiss Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson as a serious campaigner on the political trail.
Some pundits assert that Carson, who admittedly has an unconventional background, is running an unconventional campaign as well. But truth be told, he showed evidence of a well-organized campaign for his first “official” stop in Dubuque as a presidential candidate.
At a panel on foreign policy and national security at the University of Dubuque, Carson had a full traveling campaign staff on hand, including press secretary Deana Bass — and even on-the-ground-volunteers to set up sign-in sheets, slap Carson stickers on attendees, and hand out campaign literature.
Many attendees at Wednesday’s event were familiar with Carson from a book-signing event last summer in Dubuque for his earlier New York Times best-selling books, including “One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America’s Future.” Many said it was that book and event a year ago that brought them out on this cool July afternoon to see the doctor-turned Republican politician share his philosophies and vision for America.
The panel, held by Americans for Peace, Prosperity, and Security (APPS), a national organization, began with spokesman Matthew Strawn’s introduction of Carson, the only other “panelist,” to thunderous applause.
Carson quickly addressed the Iran deal cut by the Obama administration, saying it sent “the wrong message to Iran and other nations.”
Ever the surgeon, Carson, 63, put it in medical terms: “Our enemies are metastasizing. It’s almost like we are trying to destroy ourselves.”
“We have a lot of work to do. Kind of like after surgery. It hurts; we give them anesthesia; they heal.”
Forecasting what needs to be done in America, Carson likened our nation to a medical patient: “We have a lot of work to do. Kind of like after surgery. It hurts; we give them anesthesia; they heal.”
About the other hot topic — immigration — Carson was firm but dismissive of one hard-core solution posed by Donald Trump: “We need to seal our borders, but not necessarily with walls and fences.”
Carson took no questions from the floor. APPS had gathered mundane foreign policy and security questions in advance that Strawn asked the retired neurosurgeon. This indicated a scripted, controlled, campaign-like approach by Carson — no “gotcha” moments.
Every folding chair in the foyer of the University of Dubuque’s Charles and Romona Myers Center was filled, leaving many of the 80-plus people in attendance standing. There were some millennials, a smattering of African-Americans, and a young couple with a squirming, crying kid who had to make a quick exit. But most in attendance were seniors.
Retiree Charlie Block had driven more than 30 miles from Maquoketa, Iowa, south of Dubuque to hear and see Carson.
Asked what impressed him most about the candidate, Block put it in plain Midwestern terms: “He’s got a head on his shoulders. He’s my first pick.” Will he be caucusing for Carson? “Almost 100 percent.”
One person who racked up even more miles to be at the Carson even was John Youngblood, a vendor for the GOP-friendly My Campaign Wear of Sarasota, Florida.
Youngblood had set up shop on the sidewalk outside the center, selling Carson buttons and T-shirts. He’d been to Gov. Scott Walker’s announcement days before in Wisconsin, and has been to dozens of other candidate events across Iowa.
“We go all over the United States supporting Republican candidates,” he said. “We are here today with Dr. Ben selling some of his buttons and shirts. We do really well. We’ve also done Walker, Trump, Santorum, also Rubio and Cruz. A little bit of Mike Huckabee. I really love what I do.”
What is the best seller to date? “Honestly, I would have to say it would be Dr. Ben Carson,” Youngblood replied.
[lz_virool paragraph=”3″]
Join the Discussion
Comments are currently closed.