Ben Carson Says He Was Recruited To Be House Speaker In 2014

Republican Presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson speaks, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, in Phoenix at the States and Nation Policy Summit of the American Legislative Exchange Council and the American City County Exchange. (AP... Republican Presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson speaks, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, in Phoenix at the States and Nation Policy Summit of the American Legislative Exchange Council and the American City County Exchange. (AP Photo/Matt York) MORE LESS
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House conservatives tried to recruit retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson to run for speaker of the House in 2014, the Republican presidential candidate told The Hill on Thursday.

“They were looking for an alternative, they were looking for someone strong and courageous who might really be able to add some spine and some backbone,” Carson told The Hill. “I was very flattered that there were several members that thought I’d fit the bill very well, but I think it played out correctly the way that it did.”

Carson said he met with some House Republicans about the role, but he declined in order to focus on his presidential ambitions.

“It would have pretty much ruined my presidential bid,” he told The Hill. “It would have been very difficult to do my job as the Speaker of the House while running for president. You’ve seen how difficult a time Sen. Rubio is having fulfilling his senatorial obligations. The Speaker of the House has even more obligations.”

Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) confirmed to The Hill that he met with Carson about the retired neurosurgeon’s potential to replace then-House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH).

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Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for ljb860 ljb860 says:

    In other words, 234 Republican House idiots looking for an even crazier idiot to lead them… HAhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

  2. Avatar for lew lew says:

    Uh, “spine” and “backbone”? Did they also mention “bat-shit crazy”? Or would they even notice?

  3. This is hilarious, he’s broadcasting his being a loser!

  4. “Recruited” the same way he was offered a free scholarship to West Point, no doubt.

    Ben, it’s time to step out and off the Holodeck - for your own sake.

  5. Avatar for pshah pshah says:

    I’m at a loss. Im trying to picture Ben Carson as Speaker, and I just can’t see it. We’d be going from Weepy to Sleepy.

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