With the end-of-month fundraising deadline upon us, Republicans and Democrats have been lobbying supporters hard for campaign cash.
Dr. Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who piqued conservatives’ interest with his speech at the February 2013 National Prayer Breakfast, lent his name to a fundraising letter emailed Monday by the campaign arm of the Senate GOP.
“Replacing Obamacare starts with taking back the Senate from Harry Reid and the Democrats,” states the Carson email for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “We, as a country, need to have a real conversation about how to reform our healthcare system in a way that improves quality, reduces costs, expands access, and honors America’s legacy.”
“Instead of having that conversation, Democrats have been raising millions of dollars to spread their false attacks on conservatives….We need your help to set the record straight.”
The email links to a donation page asking for supporters to chip in $20.14 to the NRSC.
“Control of the U.S. Senate hangs in the balance this year, but the Democrats are currently outspending Republicans in the most competitive states,” Carson continues. “Election Day is getting closer and closer. We need supporters like you to win back the Senate and reform our healthcare system.”
Carson’s endorsements this election cycle have favored the Tea Party challenger in some instances and the NRSC-favored candidate in others.
In the Oklahoma Senate race, Carson endorsed Tea Party favorite T.W. Shannon over the eventual primary winner, Rep. James Lankford (R-Okla.). In Louisiana, Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Tea Party challenger Rob Maness are vying to oust Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.); Carson has endorsed Cassidy. He’s also endorsed Scott Brown in the New Hampshire Senate race and Monica Wehby in Oregon, the latter drawing the ire of former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) because of Wehby’s stance on abortion.
Carson argued that Wehby is “personally… pro-life,” but “she’s pragmatic also and she knows that there’s no way you’re going to win in Oregon with that stance.”
Recently he launched his own political action committee, the USA First PAC.
It’s part of his consideration of a presidential run in 2016.
“It would be much more pleasant to put my feet up, to relax. You know, I’ve made plenty of money, I can live a very comfortable life, and that would be my preference,” Carson told Fox News Sunday. “However, given the state of our nation, looking at what’s going on, and understanding that sometimes we’re called to do things that we don’t want to do because we have to do them, and we look at the future of our children, our grandchildren, all the people who come behind us, if we all run for the hills, if we all run for the most comfortable place and just allow whatever to happen happen, then we get what we deserve.”
Carson said a lack of political experience wouldn’t affect how he would perform in the Oval Office.
“I think what is required for leadership is wisdom and the ability to assemble an appropriate team, ability to listen and an ability to make wise decisions,” he said.
A peek at just a bit of the avalanche of fundraising begs on Monday:
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