Vivek Ramaswamy: The Right Candidate at the Wrong Time
If 100 conservatives were placed in stasis in 2014 and then revived today, and every Republican presidential candidate was given an hour to persuade this group he/she should be the party’s nominee, does anyone doubt Vivek Ramaswamy would walk away with the Republican nomination?
Ramaswamy is young, bright, articulate and has the ability to process information in real time so quickly, it makes him immune to the “gotcha” bushwhacking the media enjoys unleashing on Republicans.
To get a feel for Ramaswamy’s factual command and persuasive style, take a look at this take down of Dana Bash:
Notice how quickly Ramaswamy takes command of the conversation and puts Bash on the defensive. He argues convincingly that the indictment of President Trump on his alleged mishandling of presidential records omits essential information relating to the Presidential Records Act as interpreted in the Clinton socks case. In fact, Ramaswamy argues, the entire case is predicated on an executive order that doesn’t even apply to sitting presidents.
At one point, as Ramaswamy goes on the offensive and thoroughly skewers modern journalists for failing to do their job, Bash gets noticeably flustered and angry.
Unbridled Optimism
Yet, despite his smooth delivery and compelling ideas, the most appealing aspect of the Ramaswamy candidacy is his unbridled optimism. There is no obstacle that cannot be overcome. Social Security? No problem. He intends to clear out the wad of bureaucratic bile that restricts the smooth functioning of our extraordinary capitalist machine. Most of the leftist bilge that gums up the system was created through executive order, which Vivek would rescind within a week. If we return to 5% growth by producing more fossil fuels and repealing oppressive regulations, he says, there will be more than enough money for social security and other essential programs.
It’s important to understand Ramaswamy is the first major Republican candidate who is also a millennial. As such, he speaks to fellow millennials and Gen Z voters from a place of authenticity and shared context. For example, he calls the woke movement a “cultural cancer,” and believes that Americans are suffering a “void of purpose.”
For baby boomers and Gen X, fat and happy with their six and seven figure 401ks, Ramaswamy’s words are often tossed off as hyperbole, similar to the “malaise” Jimmy Carter spoke of in the late 1970s. People in their 60s and 70s are tempted to attribute the angst of younger generations to softness and entitlement rather than attempting to understand the nature of the problems young adults face in a confusing and rapidly changing world. However, to a millennial or Gen Xer struggling to pay rent, put food on the table and make payments on a student loan for a worthless degree, Ramaswamy’s words connect on a level that changes minds and changes votes.
Parallels to Obama
Barack Obama is one rung above the devil in the eyes of many conservatives, but his ability to communicate and evoke passion from his devotees is undeniable. He too was young, brash and inexperienced when he took on his party’s establishment candidate in the primary, defeated her, and then beat a stodgy, grumpy old Republican in the 2008 general election.
In our current culture, the impact of youth, vigor and optimism cannot be overstated. In every presidential election in modern history, the more likable, persuasive and telegenic candidate won. Reagan over Carter; Reagan over Mondale; Clinton over Bush; Clinton over Dole; Obama over McCain; Obama over Dole.
Ramaswamy has the same kind of charisma as Obama, but they differ in one important aspect. While Obama was a “community organizer,” which is nothing more than a hack doing the dirty work for the Democratic party, Ramaswamy was building a $600 million fortune, founding technology, pharmaceutical and asset management companies.
In other words, he actually did things that benefitted the economy and the country. I imagine he signed the front of a lot of paychecks.
Bad Timing…
At some point, Republicans would be wise to nominate the best candidate in the field based on ability, ideas and the capacity to change minds. If that person happens to be a minority, all the better, since they can speak truths white candidates must suppress.
If the 2024 election was based purely on policy, energy and personality, I suspect Ramaswamy would win in a landslide. Unfortunately, until the Trump phenomenon runs its course, there doesn’t seem to be enough oxygen left in the room for any other candidate. I’m not sure that Republican voters understand how this intransigent stance puts the 2024 general election in jeopardy. In today’s corrupt political landscape, it’s going to take a candidate who can win an election outside the margin of rigging, and since nothing has materially changed in the election process, that probably isn’t Donald Trump.
A margin strong enough to withstand data dumps, ballot harvesting and other nefarious activities will only be achieved through the occurrence of a significant mind-changing event, like a nationally televised debate between Vivek Ramaswamy and Joe Biden, for example.
Could you even imagine what a bloodbath that would be? Man, I swear I would shell out fifty bucks to see that one on pay-per-view…
