Ben Carson Forms Panel to Explore Race for President

Kate Scanlon / Ken McIntyre / March 03, 2015

Ben Carson, the retired pediatric neurosurgeon who is a favorite of grassroots conservatives, today announced formation of an exploratory committee to help him decide whether to run for president in 2016. The move makes him the first likely Republican candidate to do so.

Carson, fresh off a well-received appearance Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, released a video in which he summarizes his considerations and says he will ponder a White House run for a “few” more months. He finished a close fourth in CPAC’s presidential preference straw poll listing 17 candidates.

“I have spent most of my life caring for the health and wellbeing of children,” Carson says in the video. “Today I am no longer their doctor, but I am more concerned about their future than ever.”

Today, I announced my Exploratory Committee with this video: http://t.co/U16u3tEYlJ Thank you for your support! #BenCarson

— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) March 3, 2015

Carson, who rose from poverty as the son of a single mother to become celebrated for pediatric surgical innovations at Johns Hopkins Hospital, also says:

If I run, it will be because I know the very survival of our great country depends on strong leadership to address our real concerns about security, about jobs, about America’s standing in the world. If I run, it will be because it is not acceptable for us to be dismissed and ignored by Washington politicians we have trusted to lead this country. … Rest assured, if I run for president I will do so with only one goal in mind and that is to heal and strengthen this great nation.

Earlier, at 9:17 a.m. EST, Carson had tweeted his first announcement of the new Carson America Exploratory Committee. Filing papers for such a committee with the Federal Election Commission allows candidates who are testing the waters to raise money and spend it on such things as travel and polls without the stricter filing requirements for formal candidates.

I am pleased to announce that I have established a Presidential #ExploratoryCommittee http://t.co/4GlsreV4Vh #BenCarson

— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) March 3, 2015

For a sense of how Carson’s inclinations have changed, begin at the four-minute mark of his on-camera interview with The Daily Signal before last year’s midterm elections:

 Carson enjoys a vocal, excited follower base over social media and they—and others—wasted little time in responding to the news:

@RealBenCarson Best news I've heard today!!!

— Kim Walters (@jennabug48) March 3, 2015

All I want in this life is for #BenCarson to become president….maybe not all I want, but it's up there.

— Tessa Smucker (@TessaSmucker) March 3, 2015

Dems r pleased, too"@RealBenCarson:Pleased 2 announce Ive established Presidential #ExploratoryCommittee http://t.co/uEvDdzXtLE #BenCarson"

— Jill (@jillco) March 3, 2015

@RealBenCarson stop exploring and RUN! Go Ben Go!

— Reinas World (@sassyreal8tor) March 3, 2015

@RealBenCarson you are so respected by me. I will say prayers for you. You cld restore so much of our exhausted spirit. ????????

— Robin K. (@rjkaehr121) March 3, 2015

I've never voted 'pub but Ben Carson intrigues me….

— Jemere (@Turnup4mine) March 3, 2015

@RealBenCarson @katherinemiller delusional for even thinking about it.

— Jim Caligiuri (@JimCaligiuri) March 3, 2015

@RealBenCarson Delightful! You are smart, conservative, accomplished and good. But you need a really good media consultant for your next vid

— David Madeira (@DavidJMadeira) March 3, 2015

@RealBenCarson Hooya Ben Carson. Let's get someone to cares about AMERICA in that White House.

— Preston Abstance (@PAbstance) March 3, 2015

.@umich grad @RealBenCarson is first to formally enter GOP field for 2016 http://t.co/ABnoyECYgy

— Sam Gringlas (@gringsam) March 3, 2015

@JummyTV @RealBenCarson I'll be pleased when he decides not to run lol

— Joseph Kerr (@jackthejoekr) March 3, 2015

SIGH. RT @ajam: Ben Carson first Republican to enter 2016 presidential race http://t.co/SbxNAOlXtl

— Eye (@patricenatalie) March 3, 2015

@RealBenCarson A President need not be a brain surgeon, but it wouldn't hurt….

— DontTakeLosses (@DontTakeLosses) March 3, 2015

Ben Carson Establishes Presidential Exploratory Committee http://t.co/SFYULda1tS Good. One candidate with character.

— Paul M (@PaulMullins104) March 3, 2015

Dr. Ben Carson – You Have a Brain: http://t.co/Qp0IAWfC84 via @YouTube LOVE THIS MAN!~ He has morals, values & he cares about people!

— Tina S. (@mom13k) March 3, 2015