Posted on 09/04/2023 6:35:16 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The Republican presidential primaries continue to heat up as the candidates vie to become the main challenger to former President Donald Trump, who still maintains a considerable lead over the rest of the field. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has stayed in 2nd place in the polling, has experienced a slump in his campaign, which has allowed entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to pose a significant threat to his position.
Perhaps this is the reason why DeSantis-aligned organizations are reportedly targeting the upstart. But if DeSantis manages to fend off Ramaswamy’s ascension, when will he finally begin taking on Trump?
Politico obtained an audio recording in which Jeff Roe, head of the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down, bragged about the organization’s role in a slew of attacks against Ramaswamy:
The top strategist for Ron DeSantis’ super PAC privately told donors that Vivek Ramaswamy posed a threat to the Florida governor — and bragged that the super PAC was behind an avalanche of opposition research targeting the rival candidate.
“Everything you read about him is from us,” Jeff Roe, the leader of the DeSantis-aligned Never Back Down told the gathering of donors. “Every misstatement, every 360 he’s conducting or 180 that he is going through in life, is from our scrutiny and pressure. And so, he’s not going to go through that very well, and that will get worse for him.”
Roe was speaking just hours before the first GOP primary debate, in remarks captured in an audio recording obtained by POLITICO. During his question-and-answer session, he conceded that if Ramaswamy had “a big night” at the debate, it could prove problematic for DeSantis. “That’s not great for us, short term,” he added.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy’s campaign, responded to the report:
"When DeSantis’s Super Pac campaign, Chris Christie, the New York Times, MSNBC and the rest of the bipartisan establishment are all going after you at the same time, you know you’re right over the target.
"America watched Vivek dominate the debate stage, it’s no wonder Never Back Down is pissing away another $20+ million after Labor Day."
The entrepreneur became a magnet for criticism after the debate over his flip-flopping on certain issues. He has also been pilloried for some of his fantastical ideas, including raising the voting age and endorsing a federal ban on children using social media. Yes as DeSantis’ campaign experienced some considerable setbacks, Ramaswamy has risen in the polls, some of which show him tied or beating the governor.
It makes sense that Team DeSantis would be concerned about the immediate threat Ramaswamy seems to present. If they do not manage to turn the campaign around, their candidate could easily be surpassed by the entrepreneur. But, with DeSantis’ name recognition, performance as governor, and popularity among the conservative base, his team still has a favorable chance of remaining the primary challenger to Trump. It begs the question: When will DeSantis start taking on Trump with full force?
If the governor wants the GOP nod, he will have to take on the frontrunner at some point. Perhaps his campaign is playing the long game while he builds his war chest and continues establishing his conservative credentials. However, this won’t work forever. Republican voters want someone who is willing to get in the mud and throw some kicks and punches. DeSantis has shown he can duke it out with the press on several occasions, but he has yet to display this attitude when it comes to his main primary opponent.
Focusing on Ramaswamy might be wise as a short-term strategy, but the clock is ticking. As more candidates drop out of the race, the governor will have to do what is necessary to solidify himself as the best choice for the Republican Party. If DeSantis wants to break further away from the pack, he will have to take on the other “big guy.” This will be the true test of his political acumen. At some point, DeSantis will have to slay the dragon and take on the man who has defined Republican politics since 2016: Donald Trump.
I sense a hidden hand behind Swami.
Smarter than Pete Buttigieg. Less likeable than Andrew Yang.
I get the feeling Vivek is too used to things going his way to be able to put up with the ups and downs of the presidency.
“DeSantis just messed up by running this time. He can’t fix it”
I was thinking he possibly could redeem himself if he dropped out NOW, and threw in for Trump enthusiastically. He COULD have a chance in 2028.
But then I remember all he’s done recently that displays his true character, and true character doesn’t change. He has no chance.
“I will vote Republican because a Democrat would be worse.”
Why do think this country is a mess? It’s called the ‘uniparty’ and largely responsible for the demise we are in. Let’s for starters talk about the national debt, about $40 trillion at the end of the decade and America as we know it will fall apart. And how did we get there? Republicans and demorats “working together.” PUKE.
Another guy, his name was something like Thomas Jefferson who stated we get the government we deserve. That’s our other problem, some cloudy days ahead.
“the adjective that comes to mind is ‘slick’.”
Smarmy.
I’m with you, polly! I think he’s been put in place to infiltrate MAGA and take us out.
If he actually became president or a government executive officer like a cabinet position. CEO in government is not anything like being a CEO in private industry. It will seem like the only similarity between the two is that they share the word ‘executive’. Trump made the same discovery. It’s why Reagan said being governor of a state is a good preparation for the presidency. That is not to be interpreted as a endorsement of DeSantis!
He needs to prove himself. Start smaller.
I heard he is working with Trump and saying what Trump wants to say.
NEWSWEEK——ironically, Ramaswamy’s anti-”woke” campaign is being bankrolled by profits reaped from the very policies he denounces.....ESG.
<><>Ramaswamy funded his campaign thru the sale of over $32M in his Big Pharma firm, Roivant’s, stock options in Feb 2023.
<><>We are lead to believe Bermuda-based Roivant is thriving and that he is a great entrepreneur.
<><> Except the company reported staggering $1.2B loss in its 3/23 financial report.
<><>Not a a one-time slump: In March 2022, when Ramaswamy was still Roivant’s chairman and a major shareholder, the company reported an annual loss of $924.1 million.
<><>Roivant’s finances were abysmal under Ramaswamy’s watch.
<><>During his tenure in 2019, the company’s net operating loss exceeded $530 million.
<><>By 2020, the losses had doubled to over $1B, accompanied by a 65% decline in revenue.
These numbers raise a puzzling question:
How can a company consistently bleeding billions be publicly traded at over $10 a share?
While Ramaswamy vocally opposes ESG principles, Roivant’s major institutional investors—including Morgan Stanley, Viking Global, and BlackRock, the very firms he criticizes by name—are among its largest stakeholders, owning over 500 million shares.
Ramaswamy himself holds more than 80 million shares, making him an essential partner of these major ESG funds.
Vivek is issuing statements as an expression of independence from Trump.
<><>at first, Vivek blithely supported and approved Trump’s first term.
<><>his potential donors must wonder if now he’s just auditioning for Trump’s next Admin;
Whatever. Vivek’s “running for president” has the smell of an ulterior motive.
“ While Ramaswamy vocally opposes ESG principles, Roivant’s major institutional investors—including Morgan Stanley, Viking Global, and BlackRock, the very firms he criticizes by name—are among its largest stakeholders, owning over 500 million shares.”
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Drink deep or taste not the Pierian Spring.
—Old saying.
My advice to you - read the book Woke Inc by VGR. You will get the full picture of where Ramaswamy is coming from and what prompted him to start running for president. The Kindle version is only 8.99 and I assure you it’s well worth the read.
Thanks for the tip but I’ve read a lot about the guy.......
enough to know he should never hold elective or appointive office.
Wow. VR turns on a dime. Weathercocks jealous.
When has a Jeff Roe supported candidate won anything?
He is just another grifter.
MAGA supporters know Vivek Ramaswamy is a naturalized U.S. citizen at birth with foreign allegiances if his parents were not naturalized citizens before he was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 9, 1985. What this means is that Vivek Ramaswamy is not qualified to take the oath of office of President of the United States, should he be elected.
I am not and haven’t been sold on Ramaswamy. I have posted that numerous times here.
I think his ideas have merit. We need some out of the box thinking in DC, since we can’t just nuke the place. Not entirely sure I want him as President, but I like the fact that he’s out there saying things the politicians won’t even think about.
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