Ramaswamy Rides Wave of Support, but Rivals Are Eager to Pounce
Surging poll numbers and newly revealed concerns from Ron DeSantis’s super PAC underscore that Vivek Ramaswamy is having a well-timed political moment.
For months now, Vivek Ramaswamy has been crisscrossing the early primary states of the 2024 presidential cycle, attracting good crowds with offbeat proposals and a penchant for the media spotlight while gaining little serious attention from his Republican rivals.
But after a recent surge in the polls — and a newly revealed debate strategy memo from allies of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida that singles him out — he is having a well-timed moment, before next week’s first Republican primary debate.
The staying power of the Ramaswamy Rise will now be tested by rival candidates loath to see a political novice elevated as the alternative to Donald J. Trump, the front-runner whose legal troubles have snowballed.
Polling at this stage of a primary campaign can be fickle, but in polling averages, Mr. Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and author, has grabbed third place, behind Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Trump, the former president now facing four criminal indictments.
More telling, Mr. Ramaswamy’s national poll numbers are rising while Mr. DeSantis’s slide, putting him just behind the candidate most often seen as the strongest Trump challenger. In a new Fox News poll, support for Mr. Ramaswamy more than doubled since the previous poll, to 11 percent, compared with Mr. DeSantis’s 16 percent and Mr. Trump’s 53 percent. And Mr. Ramaswamy closed the gap between himself and Mr. DeSantis from 17 percentage points to 5.
“Those numbers, no matter how you weigh polling, speak for themselves,” said Fred Doucette, a member of the New Hampshire State House and Mr. Ramaswamy’s state party chairman.
The DeSantis campaign dismisses those numbers, saying that Mr. DeSantis has weathered more attack advertising than any other candidate, but is still standing in second place.
“This primary is a two-man race,” said Bryan Griffin, the DeSantis campaign press secretary, “but only Ron DeSantis can beat Joe Biden.”
But documents posted by Axiom Strategies, a company owned by Jeff Roe, the chief strategist of the DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, make clear that Mr. Ramaswamy is viewed as a threat. The memos detail how Mr. Ramaswamy has attacked Mr. DeSantis and outline key vulnerabilities for Mr. Ramaswamy now that he is gaining prominence.
Some of those attack lines focus on his past: support in his 2022 book for “very high” inheritance taxes with “real teeth”; a business partnership in 2018 with a Chinese state-owned firm; and economic and social positions no longer in favor with most Republican voters, including free trade and transgender rights. His business ventures, which made him a wealthy man but left others financially smarting, are only now beginning to garner attention.
Other vulnerabilities are more current. Mr. Ramaswamy raised eyebrows this week by saying to Hugh Hewitt, the conservative radio host, that under a Ramaswamy presidency, the United States would defend
How does Ramaswamy’s recent rise in the polls affect his position as a viable alternative to Donald Trump, who is facing legal issues
On the rise while his rivals are struggling to gain ground. This surge in popularity has not gone unnoticed, as a recent debate strategy memo from Ron DeSantis’s super PAC specifically targets Ramaswamy as a potential threat.
Ramaswamy’s unconventional proposals and ability to command media attention have been effective in attracting crowds to his campaign events. However, until now, he has largely been dismissed by his Republican rivals. But with his recent rise in the polls, his competitors are starting to take notice.
The upcoming Republican primary debate will be a crucial test for Ramaswamy. His ability to maintain his momentum and solidify his position as a viable alternative to Donald Trump, who is facing multiple legal issues, will be a significant factor in his campaign’s success.
While polling at this stage can be unstable, Ramaswamy has firmly positioned himself in third place, trailing only DeSantis and Trump. This indicates that he has gained considerable support and is a serious contender in the race.
As Ramaswamy’s political star continues to rise, his rivals are eager to undermine his success. They are reluctant to see a political newcomer emerge as a viable option to Trump, whose legal troubles have become increasingly problematic.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Ramaswamy as he works to maintain his position and fend off attacks from his rivals. With his surging poll numbers and growing support, he has positioned himself as a formidable challenger in the 2024 presidential race.
