After finishing fourth in Iowa’s leadoff caucuses, bioentrepreneur and Donald Trump supporter Vivek Ramaswamy announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Republican race and gave his endorsement. Instead he plans on campaigning alongside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in New Hampshire.
Both share many similar traits.
Trump & Ramaswamy’s Relation
A young pharmaceutical entrepreneur has made no secret of his admiration for former President Obama, often telling voters that the “deep state” won’t allow Donald Trump to become GOP nominee and offering himself as the alternative candidate. Additionally, he has pledged his pardoning powers against legal proceedings for Trump who he characterizes as being part of a witch hunt.
Ramaswamy’s devotion to Trump has gained him notoriety among members of his circle, and he uses this support as part of his campaign strategy (for instance, giving out T-shirts with slogans such as, ‘Save Trump, Vote Vivek.”). His campaign even distributes T-shirts promoting this position.
He’s decision to withdraw was inevitable and leaves Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley room to improve their performances in the first-in-the-nation primary, perhaps as part of President Donald Trump’s calculation that this will prevent competitors like Ramaswamy from taking votes away from him.
Trump & Ramaswamy’s Endorsements
Vivek Ramaswamy abruptly ended his Republican presidential bid on Monday night and quickly endorsed Donald Trump, appearing with him at an event in New Hampshire the next day. He encouraged other GOP candidates to follow suit – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley in particular – by joining his camp and endorsing Trump.
Ramaswamy made headlines for his bold approach to the race, catapulting him into contention among candidates seeking to unseat Donald Trump or at least become viable alternatives. But ultimately he found no political payoff for positions which challenged party orthodoxy such as his opposition to aid for Israel and Ukraine.
Experts caution that Ramaswamy’s decision to withdraw likely won’t have much of an effect in a state that Trump dominated in 2016. His exit also underscores how difficult it can be for any one candidate to break through in such an expansive field as Republicans – as evidenced in Ramaswamy’s own campaign unfolded above. Watch this video clip.
Trump & Ramaswamy’s Strategy
After finishing fourth in Iowa caucuses, Ramaswamy promptly dropped out and declared his support for Trump. At a campaign event speech by former president, he praised Ramaswamy’s “fantastic ideas” while noting he could serve as vice president in future administrations.
Ramaswamy ran an election campaign that was, at times, both impressive and annoying. He spent millions in his bid, attended more public events than any of his GOP competitors and ran an ideological campaign with a heavy MAGA tilt; much of his rhetoric seemed conspiratorial.
He proposed a “system” that would block Trump from entering the White House and install Nikki Haley as his replacement; accused his conservative Republican rivals of being “Dick Cheney in 3-inch heels”, and made various conspiracy claims such as Democrats importing immigrants to replace white people with their vote for election; all while positioning himself as Trump’s opponent and often getting himself into hot water with other politicians. In essence, his tactics often got him into hot water with them.
Trump & Ramaswamy’s Impact
Trump quickly turned his attention back to New Hampshire following Ramaswamy’s exit, hoping to build momentum before its Jan 23 primary. Yet experts in Republican primaries believe this shift won’t make much of an impactful difference.
As part of an appearance Tuesday night in Atkinson, Ramaswamy declared no animus towards former rival Donald Trump and pledged his assistance in winning the presidency. Additionally, he told voters he represents their real alternative to Democrats; during campaign season Ramaswamy pledged pardon for President-elect Trump whom he claims has been subject to an elaborate plot against him in order to keep him from office.
On the stump, he has lashed out at GOP rivals for “hiding behind Trump” and called on them to speak out about their policies. Additionally, he has promoted his own foreign policy agenda such as opposition to aid for Israel and Ukraine as well as using conspiratorial language against forces seeking to undermine him as former president.
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