Vivek Ramaswamy, on his key difference with Donald Trump, highlights that ‘I’m young. I have fresh legs’
On Wednesday, Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy returns to New Hampshire to formally add his name to the ballot, in a state that hosts the first primary and holds the second position in the GOP nominating calendar.
Aged 38, Ramaswamy is a wealthy biotech entrepreneur, marking his debut in politics, and has emerged as one of the most unexpected figures in the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race.
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In a party primarily influenced by former President Donald Trump, Ramaswamy stands out as Trump’s staunchest advocate among the extensive field of GOP presidential candidates.
Ramaswamy, running on an “America First 2.0” platform, recently emphasized to reporters that “I believe there are two America First candidates in this competition: Donald Trump and myself. Everyone else hails from an outdated, old-school neo-conservative perspective, which is no longer in line with the direction of our party or our base.”
Regrettably, for the candidate aspiring to be Trump’s natural successor, the former president shows no sign of fading away. In fact, Trump remains the formidable front-runner in the GOP nomination race, embarking on his third consecutive White House bid.
According to long-time New Hampshire-based Republican consultant Mike Dennehy, “[Ramaswamy] is the biggest surprise. He’s charismatic, and he’s investing significant effort in New Hampshire. I think that’s worked to his advantage.”
However, Dennehy also noted that “there’s no denying that he has a very limited potential due to his unwavering support for Donald Trump.”
“Why would anyone opt for a Trump supporter when they can have Trump himself?” Dennehy asked.
While many voters who attended Ramaswamy’s events in Iowa and New Hampshire in recent months expressed the possibility of supporting the candidate, others told Fox News of their unwavering loyalty to Trump.
Ramaswamy has consistently praised Trump as “the most successful president of our century.”
When the FBI raided Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida last year for classified federal documents, Ramaswamy strongly supported Trump.
This year, Trump is in Washington, D.C., for allegedly manipulating the results of the 2020 presidential election. and faces criminal charges in Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia on four counts, including federal charges. This makes him the first former or sitting president in US history to be charged with a crime. Throughout Trump’s legal battles, Ramaswamy has been one of his fiercest defenders, criticizing what he calls a politicized Justice Department.
At the GOP presidential nomination debate in August, which Trump chose to skip, Ramaswamy was determined to pardon the former president if he wanted to secure the White House.
Last month, Ramaswamy visited the nation’s capital at the America First Policy Institute, an organization affiliated with Trump, to deliver an important policy speech. Furthermore, on his 2024 campaign trail, two of his top advisers in New Hampshire have backgrounds from Trump’s first two presidential campaigns.
However, it is worth noting that it is not all rosy praise. Ramaswamy took some jabs at Trump this year.
“I believe I can push the envelope further than Trump,” he asserted in an April interview with Fox News Digital in Iowa.
“I agree with how far Trump has gone. I think he’s reached his limit. I’m taking it to the next level,” Ramaswamy argued in his case.
Ramaswamy, referring to Trump, said, “Maybe eight years from now, I’ll be fed up, cynical, tired and defeated. But today, I’m ready to actually carry that torch forward, and for me, it’s almost taking the America First agenda to the next level.”
Just last month, Trump was criticized for not fulfilling his commitment to repeal and replace the comprehensive healthcare law implemented by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama.
Ramaswamy underlined “I am never one to make false promises”.
During the winter and spring, Ramaswamy noticed modest increases in his poll numbers. However, his position seems to have plateaued recently in both national elections and key early state surveys.
When asked over the weekend by Fox News if he had reached too early, Ramaswamy quickly responded, “That’s too far.”
“I am sure that we will succeed, and honestly, I believe that someone from outside and from a different generation should go beyond the politics of the past,” he expressed confidence.
Dennehy considers age as a key differentiator from Trump, identifying it as his “primary distinguishing factor”.
“I have something special about me. I’m young. I have a fresh perspective… I believe a fresh perspective is important… I think the unique advantage I have is being a leader for the next generation. The next generation of Americans,” Ramaswamy emphasized on Saturday.
Further, he argued that the polls did not accurately reflect his support, stating that “we are building relationships with the people who attend our events.”
“The people who attend our events in both Iowa and New Hampshire are primarily people who have never participated in a caucus or primary before. So, I believe the polls ignore this fact. If we can mobilize these people and others I believe we have a clear path to victory that will not be reflected in the polls because we attract people who don’t fit the traditional Republican mold. “
With the January 15 Iowa caucuses in mind, Ramaswamy declared, “I really believe we’re in for a significant surprise that materializes in mid-January.”