World-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson said on Monday that he received many positive comments from his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast last month but that he also was attacked by many — including African-Americans — who resented his negative comments about President Barack Obama’s policies.
“There were some from individuals who were relatively narrow-minded and sort of like to put people in categories and boxes and can’t understand why you would move off the reservation,” Carson, the director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins University, told Fox’s Sean Hannity.
“But I have been thrilled, because I have had so many of my African-American colleagues at Johns Hopkins and said, ‘You know, I’m a Democrat, but if you run, I’m certainly going to vote for you,’” he added. “I’m not saying anything about me running, but it is wonderful to know that there are some people who actually think for themselves and judge a person on the content of their character.”
Editor's Note: Obama ‘Blunder’ Spawns Massive Profit Opportunity
In his speech at the prayer breakfast last month, Carson blasted the nation’s $16.4 trillion debt, its cumbersome tax system — and its “inefficient” healthcare system — all as Obama sat at the dais, showing no reaction.
Carson, who retires from medicine this summer, declined to tell Hannity whether he was weighing a White House run.
“I would say, certainly, if a year or a year-and-a-half from now, there’s significant sentiment, I would certainly have to give it consideration,” he said in response to Hannity’s question. “I think it’s way too early to think about it.”
As for those who may be considering a bid for the presidency, Carson said he liked GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who recently staged a near-13-hour filibuster on the Senate floor against the nomination of CIA Director John Brennan.
“He thinks quite logically, and he has courage,” Carson told Hannity. “He’s willing to take positions that some other people won’t.
“Part of the problem that we’re having right now is that there are a lot of people who lack courage,” he added. “They always want everybody to adore them and just are not willing to take stands based on real convictions — and when I see that, I am very impressed with it.”
The famed neurosurgeon said Republicans can show great bravery by repealing Obamacare, but “they need to have a replacement ready to go, and this is where they need to concentrate a little bit of effort. It can be crafted fairly quickly, because we already spend way more than enough money on healthcare."
Any alternative plan, however, must “put the power in the hands of the people to control their own healthcare, put that doctor-patient relationship back together,” Carson said. “It makes for much better healthcare.”
And, as for the $85 billion in broad government budget cuts that took place on March 1 under the sequester, Carson said that he would “certainly cut back, but the way I would cut is evenly, but I would give the managers of each department discretion, because they know where the fat is.
“They’re not going to cut the muscle; they’re going to cut the fat.”
And, referring to such reductions as the cancellation of White House tours and the suspending of tuition programs for military personnel, Carson added, “It seems like what the president is doing is trying to cut in the places where it hurts the most in order to prove a point.”
Editor's Note: Obama ‘Blunder’ Spawns Massive Profit Opportunity
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