Liberalsarecool wrote:
JONAH GOLDBERG
A LITTLE OVER a year ago, when Ben Carson was gearing up to run for president, I questioned in this space whether he was ready for what lay ahead. We now have our answer: No.
Carson had a great number of things going for him: his amazing life story, charm, professional accomplishments, eloquence and courage. I had only one major concern: While he speaks eloquently and passionately about the importance of doing homework in his own life and for children everywhere, its not obvious hes taken those lessons to heart when it comes to politics.
Its now obvious that he hasnt.
In the weeks before the terrorist attacks in Paris, Carson was already having a very rough time. In a development that defied satire, Donald Trump was attacking Carsons character, which is a bit like Carrot Top ridiculing Jerry Seinfelds sense of humor.
But it was smart politics. The rationale for Carsons candidacy is based largely on biography and character. Take those away and whats left?
Not too much, unfortunately. Oh sure, grading on a human level, theres still a great deal to admire in Carson. But were talking presidential politics, not lifetime achievement awards.
Preparation matters.
In Miami, he was asked about the so-called wet-foot, dry-foot immigration policy for Cuban refugees. Youre going to have to explain to me exactly what you mean by that, he replied.
In a GOP debate, he said that the Chinese were involved in the Syrian civil war, alongside the Russians and the Iranians. His campaign had to awkwardly walk back the claim.
The New York Times even found two of his advisors to state on the record that Carson was struggling to get up to speed on foreign policy.
These and other flubs arent necessarily disqualifying on their own. But after the terrorist attacks in Paris and Mali, not to mention the de facto declaration of martial law in Brussels, Carsons soft-spoken ad-libbing about foreign policy doesnt play nearly as well. I know a lot more than I knew, he said, when asked on PBS about his foreign policy deficit. A year from now, I will know a lot more than I know now.
That kind of answer doesnt cut it when Americans feel threatened. Thats why the latest Fox News poll has support for Carson sliding.
In fairness, Trumps answers shouldnt cut it either. But Carson is admiringly honest about his shortcomings, while Trump makes up for his with bluster, bullying and bombast. Sadly, that continues to work for him.
Also, Carsons problems extend beyond foreign policy. He places an inordinate amount of emphasis on platitudes and cliches, particularly about common sense. I like common sense as much as the next guy, and we need more of it in Washington. But common sense isnt a leather-bound book one takes down from the shelf to find the right solutions to every problem. Presidents who think otherwise are begging to be rolled by the permanent bureaucracy. Nobody would want their brain surgeon to rely on common sense when removing a tumor.
Of course, politics isnt brain surgery. But it does require a certain foundation that only experience and homework can provide. If youre waiting until you run for president to get up to speed, it is too late. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker learned that the hard way this year. He simply wasnt prepared to discuss policies outside his comfort zone.
Carsons has been an all-too familiar tale in GOP presidential politics in recent years. Sarah Palin, Herman Cain, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (in 2008, not in 2012) all squandered opportunities by not being adequately prepared to leverage their popularity and potential.
The rarest commodity in politics is a genuinely charismatic personality that arouses passion in voters at a propitious political moment. Money cant buy that; just ask Mitt Romney. Doing your homework, meanwhile, is easy. I dont mean it doesnt require effort; it most certainly does. But theres no trick to it: Read books, talk to experts, think things through when you have the time and resources to do so.
If Carson had consulted common sense, he would have known that. jgoldberg@latimes columnists.com
JONAH GOLDBERG br br br A LITTLE OVER a year ago... (
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LOOK here now, you fake wanna be....we know you are KHH1 and all that MONKEY Janitor....what do you think you are doing here posting all this same crud as always?