Ben Carson said he is leaning toward seeking the Republican presidential nomination and will make a decision as late as May 2015,
Time reported.
The retired pediatric neurosurgeon
made the comments in an interview with Hugh Hewitt, the conservative radio host. Carson said he wanted time to consult with an array of advisers after seeing the outcome of the 2014 midterm elections.
"Unless the American people indicate in November that they like big government intervention in every part of their lives, I think the likelihood [of a presidential run] is strong."
Asked if he could hold his own rhetorically against seasoned Republican debaters such as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, Carson said, "I've been talking all of my life. And I will continue to talk." addding, "You know, I will never be a politician. I will tell you that right off the bat."
Carson first came to national attention on February 7, 2013 in
a speech before the National Prayer Breakfast in the presence of President Barack Obama and the first lady. Warning that he would not be politically correct, he strongly criticized the Affordable Care Act and high taxes while asserting that "the P.C. police are out in force at all times."
The Wall Street Journal promptly lauded him and he was warmly received at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Carson's inspiring personal story of a hardscrabble early life is told in his 1996 autobiography, Gifted Hands, according to
The New York Times.
He has come out first or in the top tier of a number of conservative straw polls. A National Draft Ben Carson for President Committee has brought in over $7 million much of it spent on consultants, Time reported. Earlier this month he announced the formation of USA First PAC to "lay the groundwork if in the future there is a decision to run … for public office,"
The Washington Times reported.
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