On Monday at a campaign event in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Ben Carson made the announcement his supporters have long been waiting for.
“I’m Ben Carson and I’m a candidate for president of the United States,” he declared to thunderous applause.
Speaking without notes, the former neurosurgeon brought up his moving personal story and the resilience and tenacity of his mother. Among other things, he extolled her work ethic, commitment to educating her children, and money management skills—values that even today continue to influence him.
“I’m fond of saying that if my mom were secretary of treasury, we wouldn’t be in a deficit situation,” he joked.
However, on a more serious note, Dr. Carson also sought to clear up all the misinformation about where he stands on the important issues of the day. For instance, he was particularly incensed that the media continues to perpetuate the falsehood that he wants to end all government welfare and safety net programs.
“This is a blatant lie,” he declared. “I have no desire to get rid of safety nets for people who need them. I have a strong desire to get rid of programs that create dependency in able-bodied people.”
“We’re not doing [them] a favor,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Carson also touted the fact that he has never held elected office before—which, by the way, is something he clearly sees as an advantage, not as disqualifying.
“I’m not a politician,” he intoned. “I don’t want to be a politician. Because politicians do what is politically expedient. I want to do what’s right.”
Finally, he urged Americans to vote with their brains in 2016, not with their family or friends.
“Stop being loyal to a party or to a man, and use your brain to think for yourself,” he urged his audience. "That is really the key to us as a nation becoming successful again."