Roland Martin Exclusive: Is Dr. Ben Carson running for President?

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NEWS ONE NOW EXCLUSIVE -- ROLAND MARTIN'S INTERVIEW WITH DR. BEN CARSON FEATURES HOT-BUTTON ISSUES OF RACE, POLITICS AND HEALTH POLICY

Roland Martin conducts  exclusive interview with Dr. Ben Carson on April 4, 2014. (Photo credit: TV One's News One Now/courtesy of The FrontPage Firm)

Dr. Ben Carson joined Roland Martin on "NewsOne Now" on Friday, April 4 for an exclusive hour-long interview on politics, race and health policy. It was a lively conversation, which veered into controversial territory throughout the course of the discussion.

Why did Carson compare Obamacare to slavery? Are his views too conservative?  Is Carson considering a bid for president? Do his views represent the Black community at large? The interview provides clarification to these questions and more.

Highlights from the interview appeared on NewsOne.com as follows:

(Photo credit: Mediaite.com/courtesy of The FrontPage Firm)

Ben Carson Says Healthcare Is Not A Right.

During the hour, when asked for his ideas to create better health care policy, Carson told Martin that healthcare is, in fact, not a right because it's not outlined in the Constitution. He said if we as a nation consider healthcare a right then we start down a slippery slope to making other things like food a right.

Dr. Ben Carson states, "I want to get more Americans covered. Now, is health care a right? I don't believe it is. But I do believe it is a responsibility for a compassionate society."  

Ben Carson Compares Condoleezza Rice To Trayvon Martin.

During the hour, Carson waded into choppy rhetorical waters when asked by Martin why black conservatives don't speak up on issues outside of policy that effect black Americans, offering the example of the Trayvon Martin case. Carson, surprisingly, turned the question around saying that black progressives fail to speak up for black conservatives. What about the "atrocity" that's happening to Condoleezza Rice, he asked. Carson was referring to efforts to disinvite Rice from delivering Rutgers University's commencement address.

 "Well, it would only be a fair criticism if you can turn it around the other way and say where are the Black liberals when atrocities occur... such as Condoleezza Rice being disinvited to give a commencement at Rutgers simply because she's a conservative. Born to a family of sharecroppers. Someone that has gone through becoming a concert pianist," Dr. Ben Carson explains. 

Ben Carson Explains Why He Compared Obamacare To Slavery.

During the hour, Carson identified himself not as Republican or Democrat but a registered Independent who "subscribes to common sense." He also explained to Martin why he chose to step into the political Arena after a long, successful career as a neurosurgeon. Carson also defended his comparison of the Affordable Care Act to the period of American slavery.

Dr. Ben Carson states, "Let me explain what I meant by that. Slavery is by far the worst thing that ever happened in this country. I fully understand that. I've had my roots traced back. I understand some of the incredible things that my ancestors went through. ... So I'm not trying to make light of slavery. What I'm trying to get people to understand is what is happening with a government program that takes control of the most important thing you have, which is your health."

Is Dr. Ben Carson Planning To Run For President?  

"I will leave it in the hands of god. It is not something that I really want to do. I feel a lot of pressure. A lot of people pushing me in that direction," Dr. Ben Carson explains.