Ben Carson addresses GOP convention in Raleigh
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- North Carolina Republicans heard from several people who want to top their party's national ticket in 2016 during the state's GOP convention.
Noted Republicans like Ted Cruz, who has already announced his planned candidacy, and Donald Trump, who stopped short of a formal announcement, have appealed for support.
However, Dr. Ben Carson's remarks during Sunday's prayer breakfast focused primarily on his faith, rather than an overt political message.
Carson, the retired neurosurgeon who has never held elective office, asked the question that some undecided voters may want answered.
"Why am I doing so well? Obviously they're listening, and they're listening to common sense as opposed to political expertise, which has gotten us in this mess," Carson said.
He said his campaign has an important focus, considering the wide field of contenders and often inflammatory political talk.
"(The focus is on) things that are pro-America, versus anti-America. Not things that are Democrat versus Republican, not conservative versus liberal," Carson explained.
That's what Sherry Lynn Womack traveled from Sanford to hear. She traded her tickets to the Donald Trump event for a chance to check out her choice for President.
"I got to see him unscripted, how he interacts with people and that side of him," Womack said.
Republican Mike Clampett also liked what he heard.
"I think our nation needs to have a return back to faith in God in a country that is one nation under God, as Mr. Carson said," said Clampett.
Carson's counting on his self-reliant message to reach GOP voters.
"As we make more and more people part of the fabric of America and less people dependent upon the rest of society, the stronger we become. And then we can really take the proper leadership role in the world, and then we can help other nations," Carson said.
