Conservative commentary star Ben Carson — and possible White House contender for 2016 — said Americans aren’t nearly so susceptible to Democratic promises as they have been in years past, due in large part to the sluggish economy.
And that’s a good thing, he said, during an interview on “America’s Forum” on Newsmax TV.
“That’s going to be the salvation of our nation,” Mr. Carson said, Newsmax reported. “People, Americans, thinking like Americans, not thinking like Democrats, not thinking like Republicans, but thinking like Americans.”
It’s mostly the economy that’s the cause of all the free thinking, he said.
“People are not quite as easily manipulated right now as they have been in the past,” he said, Newsmax reported. “They’re feeling things in their wallet, they’re concerned about the future of their children and their grandchildren, and they realize that if we continue down the same road that we’re going, those things are not going to work out for them. It’s kind of refreshing to realize that the American people cannot be manipulated as easily as some people think they can.”
Mr. Carson said Republicans should not make the mistake of underestimating the Democrats, Newsmax reported.
“The thing that may affect the Democrats’ ground game is enthusiasm,” he said, adding the GOP really needs to do a better job of reaching out to blacks.
“There’s been so much negative press, and they really haven’t done a lot to refute it even though I don’t believe it’s true,” Mr. Carson said, Newsmax reported. “You still have to come out with an aggressive game to refute all of the allegations.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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