Why is Ben Carson always referred to as 'Dr. Ben Carson" and Rand Paul is not referred to as 'Dr. Rand Paul'?

IMO because basically that's all Carson has. He has no experience in any other field, especially politics. By his own admission, he never bothered with politics until 2014.

Apparently he was a very good surgeon. Was. He no longer practices.

Paul wants to be known as a politician, and only uses his medical title when showing that somehow he cares about the health of people. (Fun fact: he's an ophthalmologist, Carson was a surgeon).

It's a LIE that he's ALWAYS referred to that way.

As for the difference, Paul is currently a Senator -- that's the title that gets precedence.

Yes, but Carson has no current title or position, so the one that applies is Dr.

Is there a reason for this stupid question?

Most of the time, I hear him referred to by his name, or just his last name.

Because Ben Carson acts like a "doctor" and Rand Paul acts like a "moron"

Ben Carson has been famous for decades as a revolutionary brain surgeon. It is what he is known for.

Rand Paul is a doctor, but he is not famous for being a doctor. He is famous for his politics.

Yes, they are both MDs.

Carson is an actual doctor, a surgeon.

Rand Paul is an ophthalmologist.

Rand Paul is currently a Senator hence the use of that title

Rand Paul is not certified by any independent organization as a DR. He formed one to certify himself.

Because calling a sometimes ophthalmologist a doctor is about like calling someone with a Phd a doctor, despite it being technically right. You still aren't going to let them check you for a hernia.

The same reason that Retard Trump is referred to as Retard Trump.

Good question.