Columnist Charles Krauthammer says Republican candidate Ben Carson’s “demeanor above all” explains why he’s passed Donald Trump and Jeb Bush in the Iowa polls.
“How do you react to personal attacks from Donald Trump?” Krauthammer posed on Fox News’s “Special Report” Monday. “And you can see why Carson is running about three times ahead where Bush is — Carson is completely self-contained, and he’s very calm.”
Krauthammer also pointed out that Carson’s concentration is from his experience as a surgeon, and that “gesticulating” isn’t a sign of energy.
“The idea that he’s less than energetic is rather amusing for a guy who stands — has stood for 20 hours operating with complete and total concentration,” Krauthammer told host Brett Baier. “I’ve watched surgeons at work and that is the most grueling activity imaginable, so the idea that shouting and screaming and gesticulating is a sign of energy is rather absurd.”
“But Carson’s demeanor above all — yes, the fact that he’s an outsider — I think explains… the reason he’s been propelled,” he said. (RELATED: Iowa Polls Show Ben Carson With Double-Digit Lead Over Donald Trump)
The columnist also noted Carson and Trump are roughly tied among male voters in Iowa, but Carson is beating Trump among female voters.
“If you look at the breakdown in a place like Iowa, with men, they’re running about even, Carson and Trump,” Krauthammer said. “But among women there’s a huge gap — it’s about a two to one gap. And I think is some sense people have a sense that if you want to go for an outsider you might want to try the calm one.”
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