With the first Republican debate over, there are many things to go over such as the winners, losers, the best and worst moments and, of course, the rivalries that formed on stage. One of them, perhaps the most notorious, was that of Mike Pence and Vivek Ramaswamy. The former vice president and the businessman had several heated exchanges over the two-hour debate.
Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, Doug Burgum, Asa Hutchinson and Chris Christie joined Pence and Ramaswamy in Milwaukee, for the first meeting with fellow candidates.
Returning to the rivalry that brewed throughout the debate, it began unexpectedly when Pence opted to go after the businessman, who in recent weeks has been climbing in the polls.
The country does not need a "rookie" leader
Throughout the night, Pence emphasized his governmental and legislative experience to emphasize that he is indeed prepared for the job. Once he clarified that point, he wanted to set himself apart from the younger candidate on stage.
"This is not the time for on-the-job training. We don't need to bring in a rookie, we don't need to bring in people without experience," the former vice president said, in the first of several direct exchanges he had throughout the night with Ramaswamy.
🔴 #GOPDebate | Mike Pence calls Vivek Ramaswamy a "rookie."
Thoughts?pic.twitter.com/J7MsBeVrDI
— VOZ (@Voz_US) August 24, 2023
Ramaswamy later claimed that he was "the only person on stage who is not bought or paid for." This isn't that complicated, guys. Unlock American energy, drill, frack, burn coal, embrace nuclear."
The former governor of Indiana did not like his rival's speech very much, so he didn't hold back. "You've got people on this stage who won't even talk about issues like Social Security and Medicare. Vivek, you recently said a president can’t do everything. Well, I’ve got news for you, Vivek. I’ve been in the hallway. I’ve been in the West Wing. The president of the United States has to confront every crisis facing America," he replied.
🔴 #GOPDebate | Mike Pence: "[Trump] asked me to put him over the Constitution. I chose the Constitution and I always will."pic.twitter.com/6M9G0gn25a
— VOZ (@Voz_US) August 24, 2023
"For me, it's pretty simple. That is something that a president of the United States can do with concentration and I will fulfill it," the businessman resumed. "Let me clarify it to you, Vivek. I'll go slower this time," Pence said, in one of the most direct twists and turns of the evening.
Finally, the third round of the rivalry came when the businessman claimed there is an identity crisis in the United States and people are "hungry for purpose and meaning," so a "reset from above" is needed. The former vice president disagreed, saying what was missing was political leadership.
Ramaswamy also went head to head with Nikki Haley, who accused him of not knowing about foreign policy and wanting to surrender to our enemies, as well as Christie. The former New Jersey governor compared his rival to Barack Obama and told him he sounded like Chat GPT.
