Hundreds turn out for Carson campaigning in North Myrtle Beach

More than 200 potential voters lined up Tuesday to meet GOP presidential contender Ben Carson in North Myrtle Beach to get books and campaign posters signed, photos snapped, and to shake hands with the surgeon-turned-politician.

“I believe in what he stands for -- conservative Christian values -- it’s what our nation needs at this time,” said Sherrie Partin of Conway.

Judy Bishop said she also supports Carson because of his Christian values. She was there to let the Republican know that he had her support, and also to get his autograph on his most recent book “A More Perfect Union.”

“He’s the best man for the job,” Bishop said. “He’s not a politician, he’s soft spoken and a wonderful man. I believe in what he has to say.”

Carson did not make a speech at the event, which was designed as a meet and greet occasion, but he did spend a few minutes taking questions from the media about the campaign, and was asked about the current spat between the party’s frontrunners, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

Trump is being criticized this week for using crude language to describe Clinton’s first failed run for the presidency. Meanwhile, Clinton claimed that a radical Islamist group is using a video featuring Trump to recruit new members.

“I don’t particularly care what they are saying, it’s the issues that are important,” said Carson, who instead discussed medical issues, gun control, offshore drilling, and veteran care.

Carson said he is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, supports drilling in general to use the country’s vast natural resources “when it’s done in a safe way,” and said veterans’ care should begin before they are discharged from the military.

According to national polls, Carson’s popularity has dropped from second to fourth place behind Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

He remains popular in South Carolina where a Fox News poll ranked him in second place behind Donald Trump earlier this month, however Real Clear Politics says his combined polling puts him in fourth place here.

“I think part of the reason his poll numbers are dropping is because he’s not an entertainer,” said Becki Leonard of North Myrtle Beach. “He has valid good points that we need, but he’s not out there getting all the press. He answers all the questions and if people listen to him and read what his intentions are, he’s excellent.

“But it takes away from him I think to some people because he’s not in everybody’s face, he’s not controversial,” Leonard said. “I personally don’t want controversial, I want somebody to come in and turn everything around.”

Potential voters trapped in the long line Tuesday slowly snaked through the second floor of Boulineau’s of Cherry Grove Beach for an hour, endured a cumbersome yet thorough Secret Service checkpoint, and then were treated to free doughnuts and coffee before finally being granted a brief audience with the candidate.

A group of children gathered in the first floor deli chanting Carson’s name for nearly 10 minutes, then were rewarded for their efforts after Carson broke from a throng of supporters, strode to the balcony and waved to the youngsters below.

Carson signed handmade cards created by volunteers to be sent to veterans, while one supporter joked that she could read his signature, “even though he’s a doctor.”

The crowd waited patiently for their chance to meet the candidate, but the last 50 folks at the end of the line were turned away, disappointed, when Carson had to move on to his next event in Charleston.

Contact Hudson at 843-444-1765

Twitter: @AudreyHudson

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 4:24 PM with the headline "Hundreds turn out for Carson campaigning in North Myrtle Beach."