Trump critic Will Hurd said from a television studio what he couldn’t from the debate stage on Wednesday night — that 2024 rival Vivek Ramaswamy is a “bad lounge act of Donald Trump.”
Ramaswamy, the contrarian entrepreneur who has cleaved closely to the views of the former president, became the center of attention at the first GOP presidential debate as candidates from former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to former Vice President Mike Pence chided him for his lack of experience in government.
NIKKI HALEY CLAIMED DEBATE SPOTLIGHT AMONG CROWD OF ‘SCREAMING MEN’
Hurd did not qualify for the debate — though he appeared to meet the donor threshold set by the Republican National Committee, he failed to register at least 1% support in three eligible polls.
But he joined the proverbial pile-on during an appearance on CNN the following morning, speculating that Ramaswamy’s attempt to be a “new version” of Trump would only condemn the GOP to defeat in 2024 should he become the nominee.
“The truth is, you do not win an election by mimicking someone who has lost,” Hurd said. “Donald Trump is a proven loser. He hasn’t won an election since 2016, and when you’re trying to be a clone of someone who’s already in the race, you’re never going to be successful.”
In some ways, Hurd and Ramaswamy are polar opposites. Hurd, a former Texas congressman known for his pointed criticisms of Trump, has built his candidacy around a call to move the party past him and refused to sign an RNC loyalty pledge that he denounced as a “blood oath to Donald Trump.”
The 38-year-old Ramaswamy hopes to be that new standard-bearer but embraces, and on some issues amplifies, Trump’s brand of “America First” politics.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
He has flirted with the conspiracy theory that federal agents provoked the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and has staked out isolationist views on foreign policy. Haley, in particular, seized on his desire to end military aid for Israel and eventually allow China to take Taiwan during Wednesday’s debate.
The GOP field sees a threat in Ramaswamy, who has climbed as high as 11% support in national polling. He now places third behind Trump, the decided front-runner, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
