In a vivid display of animosity within the Republican presidential primary, Mike Pence and Vivek Ramaswamy have clashed openly during recent events in New Hampshire. Their confrontations highlight a generational and ideological divide within the GOP and reflect the broader dispute over the party’s direction as the 2024 campaign unfolds.
At the Hopkinton State Fair on Saturday, Ramaswamy stated his willingness to work with anyone, regardless of their party affiliation, sparking speculation about whether he would cooperate with Pence. However, he avoided confirming this when asked directly. Two days later, at a Labor Day picnic in New Hampshire, Ramaswamy remained on his campaign bus while Pence greeted attendees. Later, during Pence’s speech, Ramaswamy briefly turned his back to the stage.
The feud between the two candidates began when Pence criticized Ramaswamy’s comments on tax policy, 9/11, and Russia’s war on Ukraine in an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader. Pence took issue with Ramaswamy’s 9/11 comments, which he deemed offensive.
The dispute escalated during the first primary debate, where Pence at one point condescendingly told Ramaswamy, “Let me explain it to you again if I can. I will go slower this time.”
In a recent call outlining his executive orders for his first day as president, Pence criticized Ramaswamy’s foreign policy views as echoing the Obama Doctrine of appeasement to Russia, China, and Iran.
Ramaswamy has characterized the primary as a division between the “neoconservative foreign policy establishment” represented by Pence and Nikki Haley and a new, unapologetically nationalistic perspective on advancing American interests.
This clash between Pence and Ramaswamy underscores their different approaches to appealing to Republican voters. Ramaswamy positions himself as a Trump-like figure, emphasizing his shared traits with the former president. Some of his supporters hope he might become Trump’s running mate if he secures the nomination.
In contrast, Pence’s campaign has struggled to resonate with a GOP base that remains loyal to Trump. While both candidates are polling in the single digits nationally, Ramaswamy enjoys a post-debate bump in New Hampshire, where he averages 6 percentage points in polls compared to Pence’s less than 2 percent. Trump maintains over 44 percent support in New Hampshire primary polls.
The tension between Pence and Ramaswamy is emblematic of the competitive nature of the 2024 Republican primary. Rather than confronting the frontrunner, candidates are engaging in hostilities with one another. This rivalry reflects a broader debate within the party about its future direction.
Both candidates downplayed the tension at the Labor Day picnic. Pence stated that he would continue to lay out his vision for the Republican Party and draw contrasts with his opponents. Ramaswamy, when asked about Pence’s exit strategy, remained focused on his campaign.
As the 2024 primary unfolds, the rivalry between Pence and Ramaswamy is likely to intensify, offering voters a choice between different visions for the GOP’s future.
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