With CNN’s latest poll now showing the national race as a battle between Donald Trump and Ben Carson, direct attacks were inevitable. Last night, Carson fired the first broadside:
Jim quotes much of Trump’s statement below, but some highlights include Trump saying that Carson makes Bush “look like the Energizer Bunny” and says that “you look at his faith, and I think you’re not going to find so much.” He also describes Carson’s views on abortion as “horrendous.”
I have three thoughts. First, while some in the media have described Carson’s attacks as somehow “out of character” for the soft-spoken doctor, no one should mistake his gentle tone for an unwillingness to directly confront his opponents. This is a man, after all, who shot to political prominence (he was already a medical legend and a cultural hero, particularly in the African-American community) after taking on President Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast, with Obama sitting less than six feet away. It’s safe to say that Carson’s core supporters like him not just for his character but also for his own brand of politically incorrect combativeness.
Second, Trump’s response shows the same qualities many of his fans like. When attacked, he doesn’t respond in the modern political way — where aides express shock and outrage while the candidate takes the high road. Instead, he punches back twice as hard. He’s not going to just respond on the substance of any given attack. He’ll get comprehensive — taking on Carson’s faith, medical ability, leadership experience, and energy.
Third, conventional wisdom says that going negative works to make your opponent less likable, but it often hurts the attacker as well. So far that conventional wisdom hasn’t applied to Trump. He attacks and attacks, and his poll numbers rise. I suspect that conventional wisdom won’t apply to Carson, either. Given his extraordinary life story, I don’t see Trump landing many true punches, but I can see people who wondered about Carson’s own toughness and ability to deliver the necessary punches being reassured that he has what it takes to face down not just Trump but ultimately the Democratic attack machine.