Dr. Carson, you’re a great American and an inspiration to millions. Your personal story, scientific accomplishments, deep Christian faith and civic virtues make you eminently qualified — for a seat in the U.S. Senate. That’s what you should seek, at the next opportunity. Donors would flock to back you, and voters rally behind you. The Senate was designed by our Founders as a kind of academy for America’s natural aristocrats, those who by hard work and honest character had carved out a place for themselves in the esteem of their fellow citizens. It didn’t always work out that way, of course, but you could help to fix that.

Your voice on the Senate floor would keep your fellow legislators honest, and you would make a fine accompaniment to other principled former presidential candidates such as Rand Paul of Kentucky. Down the road, you would likely earn a shot at the White House — an insider’s shot, with the backing of the GOP establishment AND the Tea Party AND the Christian right.

I know that you’ve never played the race card, and I deeply respect that. But it is worth mentioning that your presence in U.S. politics helps to keep the Republican party true to its embrace of transcendent, universal principles of equality and liberty — in an era when identity politics are waxing angry and hungry. We conservatives need to do much more to cross ethnic boundaries, while staying faithful to our principles and America’s national interests.

Become a Scold for Civility’s Sake

If you stay in the presidential race, I hope that you use your standing as a bully pulpit on behalf of the value we share. You went after Ted Cruz pretty hard, when his staff exploited a gaffe by your campaign and CNN’s negligence, and you made him apologize. I doubt that Cruz does that very often, so that is one scalp you should treasure. If Cruz should be held to Marquess of Queensbury rules in this presidential knife-fight, so should everyone else, and you can be the man to enforce it — with your easygoing, mildly exasperated manner, which reminds me of the best kind of pastor or teacher. So please, stick around and take on Donald Trump every time he insults … well, fill in the blank. You’ve got plenty to keep you busy there. Why not call out other candidates when they lie or stretch the truth? When they interrupt, hog the microphone, or hurl insults? With your genial manner, you could raise the tone of the whole presidential race. We would thank you for it, and many of us would send checks to your senatorial committee when it’s announced, with a warm eye to your future.

For Part 1 of this series (“How Kasich Can Win”), click here.