Republican Ben Carson Hints He May Throw His Hat in the 2016 Ring
The famous pediatric neurosurgeon may be eyeing the presidency.
— -- CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Ben Carson made an opening bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Carson has not made a formal announcement for president, but has said he is “starting to think about it.” ABC News regrets the error.
Yes, the 2016 race for the White House has already gotten started -- and it looks like Dr. Ben Carson is first in the ring.
Carson, a famous pediatric neurosurgeon and conservative political star, will air an hour-long ad introducing himself to the American people this weekend, an aide to Carson confirms to ABC News. Carson said over the summer that he is “starting to think about” seeking the Republican presidential nomination, but has not made a formal announcement.
The documentary titled “A Breath of Fresh Air: A New Prescription for America” will air in 22 states and Washington, D.C. The paid video will detail some of his biography and family life, including his rise from being born to a single mother with a poor childhood in Detroit to director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins for almost 40 years, known for his work separating conjoined twins, to potential 2016 presidential candidate.
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Carson first became a conservative star when last year he created a buzz at the National Prayer Breakfast when in front of an audience that included President Obama and Vice President Biden he spoke out about political correctness, health care and taxes.
He also called for a private health care savings plan and a flat tax in the speech that went viral and led to an editorial in the Wall Street Journal titled Ben Carson for President. He is known as a fierce opponent of the president’s health care law known as Obamacare.
In an ABC News/Washington Post poll from last month of the potential 2016 presidential candidates showed Carson in seventh place garnering seven percent of the vote after other notables including Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee, Chris Christie, and Marco Rubio.
Carson has a grassroots effort to draft him for a 2016 presidential run that has raised millions for the effort. In an interview last month with Jorge Ramos on our sister network, Fusion he said he’s considering a White House run.
“No, I don’t want to be president. Why would any sane person want to do that?” Carson said, acknowledging he has noticed the support. “I think I have to consider that, with so many clamoring for me to do it.”
The Washington Times first reported the news of Carson’s video. A production company run by Armstrong Williams, a conservative commentator, is paying for the airtime. They also filmed the documentary. Williams is Carson’s business manager.
