Ben Carson's column is here

Dr. Ben Carson, the nationally known neurosurgeon who famously and fearlessly rejected President Obama's policies in a speech last year with the chief executive sitting nearby, has joined WND's lineup of commentators. His column will run Wednesdays on the news site.

Carson's keynote address at the National Prayer Breakfast in February 2013 catapulted him to national prominence among those Americans who reveled in his courageous and articulate rebuttal of the Obama presidency.

Since that time, Carson, professor emeritus of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University, has been talked about as the perfect outsider candidate for the Republican nomination for president in 2016.

Last month at the "Defending the American Dream Summit" sponsored by Americans for Prosperity, Dr. Carson hinted at a possible presidential bid.

"I hate political correctness so much," he said. "I'm not a politician and I don't believe in political correctness. I may say something that may offend someone. I frankly never plan on becoming a politician. That doesn't mean I won't do something in political office, but I won't become a politician in the process. The reason I hate political correctness so much is because it's antithetical to the founding principle of our nation – freedom of speech and freedom of expression. We have reached the point in this country where the average citizen is afraid to express himself. "

Carson continued: "Is it absurd that anybody who is pro-life is now called anti-woman? Does that make any sense at all? If you believe in traditional marriage, then you're anti-'gay,' you're a homophobe? If you're a white person and you disagree with a progressive black person you're a racist? If you're a black person and you disagree with a progressive white person you're crazy? It's all about intimidation. And it only works if you're afraid of them. And if you're not afraid of them, it doesn't work. I hope you will join me in not being intimidated by them."

Carson's column deals with both political and cultural issues. Read his first official weekly WND column, "Ray Rice's crime and punishment -- with compassion."

See part of Dr. Carson's summertime interview with WND Editor Joseph Farah:

Three-part video series with Ben Carson and Joseph Farah

Ben Carson uncorks on what's wrong with America

Rescuing America's health care from Obama

Ben Carson sounds alarm on growing terror nukes