As Carson struggles, Southern Colorado supporters hopeful for comeback

Lagging poll numbers and little cash on hand have Dr. Ben Carson thinking about shaking up his campaign for the GOP presidential nomination.

The retired neurosurgeon was the one time front-runner and is the only presidential candidate to stump in Colorado Springs thus far.

Monument’s Mick Hartley works for “Win Ben Win,” Carson’s Super PAC.

“I have not had this much passion about an individual running for president since Ronald Reagan was president,” Hartley said. “I’m doing this for my grandkids. I’m in the fourth quarter of my life.”

This retired Southwest pilot loves Carson’s outsider status.

“Everybody is angry right now,” Hartley said. “We’re mad at the GOP establishment and what have they done? They’ve squandered what we’ve given to them. He can heal a very divided nation.”

In October Carson had out-raised every other Republican in El Paso County. He also led several polls, topping Donald Trump in Iowa.

Today, Carson sits fourth in the leadoff state.

Heading into Christmas, The Washington Post reported Carson told them in an interview it was time for a leadership change in the campaign and that every job was on the table.

“They were convinced that I was going to fire everyone and go in a different direction and that’s just not true,” Carson told CNN’s Don Lemon.

The Republican doctor’s lack of experience on the world stage may be appealing to some, but longtime active Democrat Carolyn Cathey argues Carson and many others are not ready for the challenges of the presidency.

“That’s Hillary. Hillary has that experience, not the Republican lineup of candidates in their clown car,” she said.

Cathey argues a shake-up in the Carson campaign won’t provide the comeback he needs.

“Changing the outfield doesn’t change a ballgame. You have got to change the batter and and you have got to change the pitcher,” Cathey said. “He’s out of step with American values.”