I like Ben Carson. He has done more to impress me than any other candidate at this point. He has taken the #2 spot from Walker in my personal considerations. Cruz remains my #1 and who I will vote for if he is still running when the primary gets to my state. The man stands up for what he believes in regardless of the pressure and I admire that in him. He is the strongest principled conservative in the field and I am 100% committed to supporting his candidacy.
That said, Carson slips into #2 for much of the same reasons. The only area I think Cruz has an advantage is, Cruz understands how dirty the left plays. He is going to be more prepared for the level of nastiness yet to ensue... and believe me, it's coming.
Carson, I think, takes a bad rap for being "timid" ...as has been pointed out here. I don't think the man is timid... watch the Prayer Breakfast dressing down of Obama with Obama sitting right beside him... that's not someone who is timid. Carson, like many highly-intelligent people, speaks in a manner that is very reserved and contemplative. I see a lot of that same attribute in Carly Fiorina. It's not timidity as much as a reserve or patience. When you think about it in those terms, it's actually a great attribute for a leader to have.
Here is where I think Carson has something very special... It's his story. When you learn about his upbringing, it is inspiring, especially for African-American people. He came from relative poverty to become one of the world's most renown neurosurgeons. All along the way, using the core philosophies of conservatism. He is not some politician born into a life of privilege, trying to convey a philosophy he can't relate to and doesn't really grasp... he is speaking from the heart, relaying his own experiences and providing the living example of the philosophy he speaks of. This is very powerful and compelling.
