Conservative darling Ben Carson considering 2016 bid

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Ben Carson, the independent physician turned conservative darling, said he will probably throw his name in the hat for president in 2016.

Carson, a former Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon who earned his conservative bona fides in a speech at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast, told radio host Hugh Hewitt he thought there was a good chance he would answer the call of those urging him to run.

"Unless the American people indicate in November that they like big government intervention in every part of their lives, I think the likelihood is strong," he said.

While Carson said he would not likely make a formal announcement until May, the "chances are reasonably good of that happening."

"I want to make sure that it's clearly something my fellow Americans want me to do," he said. "And I'm also waiting to see what the results are in November, because if the people indicate that they truly do want a nation that is for, of and by the people, then I, along with I hope many other people, would be willing to give it everything we possibly have."

Carson has avoided joining either major political party, but his supporters are largely among conservatives like many of the attendees at this weekend's Family Research Council Action 2014 Values Voter Summit.

On Sunday, Carson came in second to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in the summit's straw poll. Cruz got 25 percent of the votes, while Carson received 20.

Carson also won the vice presidential straw poll with 22 percent.