Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson draws hundreds to Sarasota book signing

SARASOTA -- More than 1,000 people crowded outside the small Bookstore1 in downtown Sarasota on Wednesday afternoon, eager to get a glimpse and an autograph from Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson.

Across the street, about 25 protesters held signs reading, "Sarasota stand with the LGBT community," "Carson attacks the poor for big business," and "Defend women's right to safe abortion." A man weaved in and out of the crowd with a Bernie Sanders sign raised over his head, but someone stuck a Ben Carson sticker on his back while crowd members who saw chuckled.

Georgia Court, owner of Bookstore1 at 1359 Main St. in Sarasota, said they gave out about 750 tickets to people who wanted to get their copies of "A More Perfect Union: What We the People Can Do to Reclaim Our Constitutional Liberties" signed by Carson. Carson arrived at the bookstore a little after noon as part of his book-signing tour across Florida this week.

The crowd outside started chanting, "Win Ben win!" before the candidate even arrived. Many of those gathered at the event said they are set on voting for Carson for president, while others said they are unsure, listing other possibilities including Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and businesswoman Carly Fiorina. No one mentioned Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida whose campaign has been reportedly slipping.

A national Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday has Carson neck and neck with Trump, with 24 percent for Trump and 23 percent for Carson. Next in the poll was Rubio at 14 percent and Cruz at 13 percent, and Jeb Bush down at 4 percent. Carson topped Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in a hypothetical general election matchup, 50 percent to 40 percent.

Many at Wednesday's book-signing mentioned Carson's professionalism and intelligence as reasons to vote for him, as well as his willingness to say what's on his mind. Lack of political experience was not a concern for them, and Carson reiterated that lack of concern during brief remarks with the media.

"The political class in Washington has managed to convince a bunch of people that they're the only ones who can solve problems. That they're the only ones whose experience counts," Carson said. "I don't believe that for one second. I think the experience that counts is how do you solve complex problems, and how do you use the resources and people around you in a positive way."

Supporters such as Bridget Spiess, a Sarasota resident for 15 years, said she plans to vote for Carson because he is more in tune with real people.

"I think a political record can, sometimes, screw them up more," Spiess said. "They become too political, and they don't deal with the people's issues out there. They don't know what's going on outside their political issues."

Despite his lack of record as a politician, Carson gave clear answers on where he stands on political issues. He told reporters during the press conference that he supports certain medical usage of marijuana, though not recreational, that he wants to work to secure the border to keep illegal drugs such as heroin coming up from Central America, and that he wants to find a way to prevent America's debt from increasing.

And with the voters, he was warm and inviting. He shook hands, smiled and signed books without showing signs of fatigue, often telling his supporters, "Praise the Lord." He said his reason for running for president was a simple one.

"I really want to save our nation for the next generation," Carson said.

Tony Companion, another supporter who said he plans to vote for Carson, said he likes Carson's character.

"I think he's an intelligent man and he's got a lot of passion," said Companion, who has lived in Venice for two years. "And we need somebody in the White House that has some passion, that really cares about America, and loves this country, and wants to change some of the stuff that's been changed by the previous administration."

Jean Tuttle, who said she's undecided between Carson, Rubio and Fiorina, said it's hard to pick between them because she thinks the GOP has a lot of qualified candidates for the 2016 election.

"It depends on the time of day, and who's on TV. Whoever is giving a good speech, I go, 'Yes, that's my girl!' or 'That's my guys!'" said Tuttle, a Sarasota resident for 10 years. "And then another one comes on and I say, 'Oh, I like you better.'"

Protesters with the Suncoast ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition, a progressive political organization, said they are against Carson because of his "message of hate."

"We're out here standing in defense of women's rights, the rights of Muslims, the LGBT community, and we're out here to protect our planet against someone who thinks that climate change isn't real, and for that matter doesn't even believe in evolution," said Bryan Ellis, coordinator for ANSWER, who said he supports Sanders. "We're here to show that Ben Carson doesn't have the interest of working families in mind. ... He blames the poor for problems caused by the 1 percent."

Kate Irby, Herald online/political reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7055. You can follow her on Twitter@KateIrby

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 4:56 PM with the headline "Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson draws hundreds to Sarasota book signing ."