FORT LAUDERDALE - As many black voters see it, there are two Ben Carsons.

There's the renowned doctor and inspirational speaker. And then there's the Republican presidential candidate who pushes conservative politics and wants to "de-emphasize race."

How voters reconcile the two may determine whether Republicans can dent the support Democrats long have enjoyed among blacks.

Carson is not going out of his way to court black voters. He insists he won't change his message to attract specific audiences.

Yet he's better known by African-Americans than previous black Republican candidates, and he's admired for his up-from-poverty story.

Political experts wonder whether his agenda leaves him room to grow with African-Americans in a presidential election.