Community shows strong support for Carson hours before rally

Ben Carson supporters have come from nearly an hour away to gather at Cedarville University for a rally with the presidential candidate 2 p.m. Sept. 22.

Roger DeMerritt of Huber Heights, Ohio, showed his support for the retired neurosurgeon, donning a “Please God! Dr. Ben Carson” shirt and arriving to the rally site three hours before it’s start.

“I had this made right after he said he was going to run,” DeMerritt said.
“Everything he says makes good sense.”

Roger DeMerritt of Huber Heights, Ohio, began waiting in line at 11 a.m. for the rally with presidential candidate Ben Carson at Cedarville University, held at 2 p.m. Sept. 22. DeMerritt said he began supporting Carson after the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast at which Carson made waves with the White House. (photo: Anna Dembowski)

DeMerritt waited in line with his wife, Catherine, who said the two began supporting Carson after the surgeon’s speech at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast, which resonated with conservatives.

The DeMerritts were among the first in line, as were the Kendall Family.

Scott Kendall of Plain City, Ohio, said he supports Carson because of the presidential candidate’s morals, faith and wisdom.

“We finally have a man of God that’s running for office, and this nation needs to be brought back under God’s guidance,” Kendall said. “And he’s the only one that’s even remotely close to being able to do that.”

Kendall said Carson’s political inexperience – a common compliant by the campaign’s opposition – is a good thing and is irrelevant when looking at Carson’s character.

“You don’t necessarily have to have political experience to know how to run a country,” Kendall said. “You just have to be wise.”

Kendall’s wife, Virginia, said though Carson is a wise and humble man, his lack of aggressiveness on the debate stage may hinder him. She said she hopes Carson will discuss the issues, such as foreign policy, that he’s been timid on during today’s rally in Cedarville University’s Dixon Ministry Center.

“He’s not as forward with his foreign policy, and I think that’s what’s holding him back,” she said.

Anna Dembowski is a senior journalism major and editor-in-chief for Cedars. She is learning to love coffee, spontaneity and Twitter. Follow her at @annabbowskers.