Vivek Ramaswamy, the Ohio-born entrepreneur and GOP presidential candidate, came across like a “blunt-force instrument” during the Fox News Republican Debate on Wednesday, a former top Bush aide told the network after the event.
Ramaswamy made waves during the forum, routinely clashing with several other candidates, most notably former Vice President Mike Pence as the two traded barbs about age and governing experience.
Ari Fleischer, a former White House spokesman for then-President George W. Bush, said he was impressed by Ramaswamy’s tact.
“I thought [Florida Gov. Ron] DeSantis was real good. Second place to me was Vivek Ramaswamy,” he said on “Hannity.”
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“I mean, that guy is – he’s a blunt force instrument and he’s articulate. He’s fast on his feet and he’s not a politician. And that’s one of the reasons he’s he’s resonating right now.”
Fleischer said Ramaswamy appeared unafraid to speak his mind on any issue and stand by his pronouncements in a “forceful, blunt way.”
He predicted the public will find that Ramaswamy did very well in the debate, in part because of public distasted for politicians, which many observers credited in 2016 for the rise of then-real-estate-mogul Donald Trump.
Fleischer added that, despite Ramaswamy’s performance, he believed DeSantis won the night – citing his positions on COVID lockdowns, use of force against criminal elements and his warning once again that cartel smugglers could end up “stone-cold dead” if they violently violate U.S. law.
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Fleischer, who said he was neutral in terms of supporting any of the candidates on the stage, was also joined by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas – a DeSantis surrogate – and Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., – a DeSantis surrogate.
Roy said DeSantis proved with his debate performance that he was the “clear leader” on the dais.
“He was speaking directly to the American people. He showed how his track record in Florida is something that the American people can get behind because they’re frankly sick of the noise.”
Roy said that amid the other candidates’ “bickering,” DeSantis appeared steadfast in trying to stick to policy and his insistence that applying a “Florida blueprint” in the White House is a message that will resonate.
Donalds, who did not endorse his fellow Floridian, said DeSantis did “fine” but that he failed to take charge of the room.
“He has to be dynamic because the elephant – the true elephant in the room is Donald Trump. He’s massively ahead,” he said.
“And all the policies that everybody’s talking about: Donald Trump did it. He did it once. He could do it again. [He] is still the leader in this entire race,” Donalds concluded.
Trump, the current front-runner, chose not to attend Wednesday’s debate in Milwaukee.
Three other declared Republican presidential candidates – businessman Perry Johnson, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and former California gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder – did not ultimately make the dais as well.
