Hard truths for a soft GOP
By Alex Rosado ’24
After watching the disastrous GOP outcomes in the November 2023 elections, many conservatives felt overcome with dread and confusion. Notably, Attorney General Daniel Cameron trailed incumbent governor Andy Beshar in Kentucky. Virginia Democrats flipped the state’s House of Delegates while maintaining their Senate. Although Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves won reelection against Democratic contender Brandon Presley, it was the closest gubernatorial election won by a Republican since 1991. Heading into the third GOP presidential debate the next day, Republican voters needed consoling and explanations—instead, what they received from one candidate was brutal honesty.
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy wasted no time holding establishment figureheads accountable for their losses over the last several cycles. The Ohio native quipped that the GOP had descended into “a party of losers,” calling out Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and even offering to yield his time to her if she announced her resignation. He panned the debate moderators for their prior partisanship, denouncing traditional media for rigging previous elections with disinformation. As a first-time politician, Ramaswamy’s opening statement was a firecracker that launched into the heart of the party’s current shortcomings and set a new vision ablaze.
In an era dominated by online politicking, Ramaswamy does it all. He barnstorms podcasts, makes near-daily televised appearances, and hosts Twitter spaces for constituent discussions, becoming friendly with conservative staple Tucker Carlson on his new X show. The 38-year-old sees alternative and new-age media as vehicles to enhance his profile, ones that allow for candidate creativity and insightful engagement. Contrast this with left-leaning NBC News anchors who immediately admonished him after speaking at the debate, “Let’s not do this.”
The tried-and-true method of cozying up to conventional media is incompatible when political figures feel their presence runs the risk of being disrespected. As most adults get their news online, Ramaswamy urges his party to join the apps and platforms where most news and voters now live. It is the rationale for his presence on Chinese-owned TikTok, which hosts over one billion accounts and public profiles for most entities and websites. The biotech entrepreneur unveils an entrepreneurial strategy—today’s pioneers emerge through experimentation and building an empire true to their imagination. If the GOP wishes to improve its optics, ineffective media tactics of yesteryear must be replaced by modern digital political messaging.
Ramaswamy hammers candidate quality as the party’s losing strategy. At the first debate, he blasted fellow presidential contestants as being “bought and paid for.” He was the first to raise his hand when asked, if elected, if he would pardon former President Donald Trump. Trump, who has abstained from every RNC-sanctioned debate to date, is a runaway train in the primaries despite facing four indictments. He polls at or around 55% in GOP primary polls, and many polls find him as a reliable nominee to beat President Joe Biden next November.
Ramaswamy acknowledges the dominance of the Trump factor. His “party of losers” comment indicates an organization in an identity crisis. October unfolded with unprecedented political drama, where Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted by firebrand Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL), the first time in history a House Speaker lost the gavel. Despite Trump’s insurmountable lead, many GOP candidates are running against him. Ramaswamy asks why conflict exists if a winning vision—a proven-to-win conservative strategy—is already on the table. For some candidates, ending their campaigns instead of supporting Trump is inconceivable; just ask former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. It is significant to remember that Ramaswamy is the youngest Republican to ever run for president, a bid and candidate defined by trying to be ahead of the curve. Whether it’s generational wisdom or contempt, many young Republicans know where they stand, and it is foolish to split an already distressed party electorally.
For this reason, one may ask why Ramaswamy is a presidential candidate. His salience emerges from being the only candidate whose rhetoric sounds like warnings rather than praise. People are listening even though he’s lagging in the polls at mid-single digits. And Republicans are reacting. Chairwoman McDaniel reportedly booed Ramaswamy after his swipes, as he accused the GOP of deliberately burying his spin room “spinner.” Former governor Christie called Mr. Ramaswamy “ChatGPT.” Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley called him “scum.” If the goal is to elicit any reaction from establishment Republicans, Ramaswamy cracked the code. It may be a tough pill to swallow, but it is a necessary indictment of failed policies and politicians increasingly incapable of delivering wins for their base.
