However, I see him having an effect on this election cycle. Carson is a kind and gentle man, characteristics not well suited to politics in America, and I think the other candidates may have second thoughts about leveling the stinging criticisms common to political discourse. Even if he is castigated severely, I think he will ignore as much of it as he can and continue to make the sensible arguments regarding economic and social reform that some people have responded to favorably.
The thing that will keep him out of the White House is the jaded view the public has of the political system. He will be seen as one who will not be able to change much, if anything, about the way Washington does business.
I'll be watching him, and barring any big political mis-steps, I intend to support him for as long as he is in the race. I think that his place in all this may be to unite a block of voters, then step back at some point and try and convince this block to support a more viable candidate. I also think that Hillary isn't a shoe-in for Democrats. Watch O'Malley run her ragged.
It's going to be an interesting season.
