re: An inquiry on the subject of Dr. Ben Carson

If he were to run he would gain some momentum in the republican primaries because it sounds like there's not an issue where he isn't right wing enough to make it though that process. The problem for him is going to be some of the rhetoric on social issues if he's going to win enough independents to win a presidential election.

His stated (absence of) belief in evolution won't hurt him (and will probably help him) in republican primaries but will hurt him in a general election with swing voters because it will feed into the narrative that republicans are anti-science. In his opposition to gay marriage he appeared to conflate gay marriage with bestiality and the tide seems to have turned on that issue - meaning this kind of rhetoric may help you win a republican nomination but bugger you in a general election.

I think he's more likely to end up a mike huckabee level political figure than someone who learns to control his gaffes and succeed in a national election.