I’m not running to lead a political party. I’m running to lead a nation that includes citizens who disagree with us. Part of what it means to live in this country is we have free speech. We get to speak our minds openly, even if we don’t all agree. This is something we need to get better about in our party.
Vivek Ramaswamy to Iowa voters
If America can elect an Obama, it can elect a Ramaswamy. Not sure? Google “Tucker Carlson Vivek Ramaswamy” to hear how a smart conservative can sound (for a change). His refutation of “white privilege” was impressive, but his explication of the January 6 riots was what I hear many good Republicans trying to say.
Ramaswamy claimed the suppression of free speech incubated the January 6 Capitol riots: “You tell people in this country they cannot speak. That is when they scream. You tell people they cannot scream. That is when they tear things down. Until we look ourselves in the mirror and admit truth on that, we will not move forward as a country.” Liberal media, of course, dismissed him – because he did not blame the riots 100% on Trump.
Who’s threatening democracy here? Those who suppressed breaking news before the 2020 election, or the man defending free speech? The pundits who have turned January 6 into Groundhog Day, or the man running against Trump in real time? If reporters bothered to check, they’d see Ramaswamy doing their job; allowing other views to be heard.
When a pro-choice women screamed “Republicans are raping women” during his pro-life event in Iowa, he stopped security from escorting her out: “I want to give her a chance to speak.” Ramaswamy called to her: “You can say something to me, it’s OK. Come back.” The protestor, Kayla Crist, told ABC News, “I thought that he did the right thing, saying, ‘Hey, that’s courageous, you have the freedom of speech.'” Ramaswamy did not change her mind, but he did uphold the 1st amendment and set an example for all politicians.
Isn’t that what we want, someone to change the course of American politics? Mr. Clinton self-served. Mr. Obama divided. Mr. Trump abused. Mr. Biden is doing all of the above. As Iowa GOP chair Jeff Kaufman sees it, Ramaswamy “is bringing in a fresh breath of oxygen and air and democracy.” Republicans should appreciate how he cuts to the chase about what today’s Democrats are doing so wrong. He’s the most pleasant surprise in this primary season.
Ramaswamy brings diversity, intelligence, and youth that Joe Biden cannot match. He’s the 37-year-old son of immigrants, who’s already self-made $630 million (source: Forbes). He just delivered his anti-Biden talking points; the 10 Truths he unveiled at the Turning Point USA summit.
- God is real.
- There are two genders.
- Human flourishing requires fossil fuels.
- Reverse racism is racism.
- An open border is no border.
- Parents determine the education of their children.
- The nuclear family is the greatest form of governance known to mankind.
- Capitalism lifts people up from poverty.
- There are three branches of the U.S. government, not four.
- The U.S. Constitution is the strongest guarantor of freedoms in history.
Almost every American believes those truths. Still, Ramaswamy says he’s “got a long way to go” to be taken seriously, which is why the debates are extra important this year. When 70% of America does not want either Trump or Biden, a break-out star is more probable than the Trump campaign will admit. In fact, my poll of polls shows Ramswamy’s “approval” compares favorably to Trump (and Biden).
Comparative Voter Approval Ratings
| Party ID | Biden | Trump | Ramaswamy |
| Democrat | 58% | 4% | 36% |
| Republican | 5% | 62% | 47% |
| Independent | 37% | 33% | 43% |
In short, Independents comprise 49% of the electorate, and they like Ramaswamy more than either Biden or Trump. Democrats hate him less than Trump. Republicans like him a lot more than Biden. He’s the definition of a compromise candidate, if he can get past Trump. For this to happen, Ramaswamy has to dazzle in the GOP debates, talking about issues that matter to Republicans.
In Iowa, Tucker Carlson did the GOP a favor by asking candidates questions from their right instead of their left. Mike Pence struggled with his support for Ukraine, while Vivek Ramaswamy soared by explaining the strategic implications (danger) of pushing Russia closer to China. If Carlson’s questions at the FAMiLY Leadership Summit is how the RNC plans to vet candidates, there can be GOP life after Trump.
Steve Deace of Blaze TV says when Republicans “only get hit from the Left, Pence is indistinguishable from Trump.” In contrast, Carlson asked questions from the perspective of GOP primary voters, not the “perspective of D.C. or New York journalists.” Republicans deserve no less than a debate that pits the field against Trump – with moderators allowing candidates to differentiate themselves on conservative issues.
If you fear Trump will drag the GOP toward Toolshed Tuesday on Election Day, pray for a real debate with the kinds of questions Tucker Carlson posed to Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy. Not much looking back at the Big Lie, but a lot about what’s angering everyday Americans. Personally, I thought the Florida governor did great, but I was moved by how Ramaswamy defended with eloquence the America I know.
I did have privilege. I didn’t grow up in money, but I had two parents in the house, a mother and a father with a focus on education and a faith in God. If I’m going to enjoy that, every kid in this country ought to enjoy it too.”
Ramaswamy to Tucker Carlson on white privilege
If Ron DeSantis made that argument, the DNC would roll out Barack Obama to race-shame him into silence. “White privilege” is a counter-culture weapon that Ramaswamy eats for lunch. He does not resent a “white-informed” America or fear “white oppression” – and he’s credible as he debunks the tropes of identity politics. This dark-skinned son of Indian immigrants is the DNC’s worst nightmare.
India’s (dark) majority threw out the (white) British minority in 1947, but still the Ramaswamy family came to the USA in 1983 for a better life. They brought little money but great values; nuclear family, faith in God, and hope for their son’s education. India offers a lesson liberals should heed: rule by a minority is a grievance, not English constructs like afternoon tea or trial by jury.
How about that lesson from President Ramaswamy’s bully pulpit? Don’t laugh after 62% of the FAMiLY Leadership Summit audience thought he performed best (DeSantis was next at 32%), and 78% said that, after hearing Ramaswamy, they were more likely to vote for him. He’d be good for the US, especially if his presidency kept Barack Obama in silent protest on Martha’s Vineyard.
