DeSantis ally criticizes Vivek for plagiarizing Obama speeches before debate.
The Super PAC Takes Aim at Vivek Ramaswamy Ahead of Debate
The stage is set for an intense showdown between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy, and the super PAC backing DeSantis is wasting no time in launching an attack. Never Back Down, the super PAC, has released a video highlighting Ramaswamy’s use of campaign rhetoric borrowed from former President Barack Obama.
“I’m leaning into it. I’m the Republican Obama,” Ramaswamy boldly declares in the video, setting the stage for a side-by-side comparison of their similar rhetoric.
The video showcases clips where Ramaswamy echoes Obama’s words from over a decade ago. Both emphasize the importance of ideas that transcend party lines, with Obama stating, “This is an American idea,” and Ramaswamy echoing, “These are fundamentally American ideals.”
This video release comes just hours before the second Republican primary debate, where Ramaswamy aims to capture the spotlight once again, following his impressive performance in the previous debate. During that debate, Ramaswamy received more speaking time than DeSantis, making him a formidable opponent.
However, it was during that first debate that Ramaswamy was first caught borrowing language from Obama. He described himself as a “skinny guy with a funny last name,” a line directly lifted from Obama’s early political career.
The video suggests that DeSantis is ready to engage more actively with his fellow candidates on stage. Never Back Down, in a statement accompanying the video, labels Ramaswamy as “a fraud and flip-flopper who has been caught in too many lies to count.”
The super PAC also points to a Mediaite story that reveals Ramaswamy’s use of campaign language from former Republican candidate Kathy Barnette, a top consultant for his campaign. This further supports their claim that Ramaswamy has a pattern of borrowing ideas.
Another set of side-by-side clips in the video shows Obama and Ramaswamy using the same analogy to criticize their opponents. Obama says, “Imagine they were driving a car and they drove it into a ditch,” while Ramaswamy asks, “If someone has repeatedly crashed your car, do you want to turn over the keys to the same people who crashed it?”
They even share similar rhetoric on Russia, with Ramaswamy stating, “The USSR doesn’t exist anymore,” and Obama declaring, “The Cold War’s been over for 20 years.”
The video concludes with Ramaswamy asserting, “I’m not going to read speeches written by others… what you’re going to get is coming from the heart, my bone-deep convictions.”
As of now, the Ramaswamy campaign has not responded to the video. However, a source close to the campaign sees it as a positive sign, stating, “It’s a badge of honor that DeSantis is now directing ads at Vivek. Means we’re right where we need to be heading into the second debate.”
What is the significance of Never Back Down’s implication that Ramaswamy lacks originality and is copying Obama’s formula for political success?
T and gain an edge over Governor DeSantis. The timing of the attack by Never Back Down seems calculated to influence voters’ opinions of Ramaswamy right before the debate.
By drawing attention to the similarities between Ramaswamy’s rhetoric and Obama’s, the super PAC is subtly implying that Ramaswamy lacks originality and is merely copying the former president’s formula for political success. This tactic aims to cast doubt on Ramaswamy’s ability to lead and makes the case that he is not truly a Republican.
The use of campaign rhetoric borrowed from other politicians is not uncommon in politics, as politicians often rely on successful strategies and messaging used by their predecessors. However, the release of this video by Never Back Down signals a clear intent to undermine Ramaswamy’s credibility and paint him as a political opportunist.
The video’s juxtaposition of Ramaswamy’s statements with Obama’s is a strategic move to highlight their similarities and potentially cast Ramaswamy in a negative light. By showcasing their shared emphasis on ideas that transcend party lines and labeling them as “fundamentally American,” the video suggests that Ramaswamy is attempting to appeal to a wider audience at the expense of true conservative values.
The timing of this attack is noteworthy, as it reflects the importance of the upcoming debate in the eyes of Governor DeSantis and his supporters. By launching this video just hours before the debate, Never Back Down hopes to influence viewers’ perceptions of Ramaswamy and potentially sway their votes in favor of DeSantis.
It is important to recognize that super PACs play a significant role in shaping political narratives and influencing public opinion. Their ability to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money allows them to launch well-funded and targeted attacks against opposing candidates. In this case, Never Back Down has chosen to use its resources to attack Vivek Ramaswamy and attempt to undermine his standing in the eyes of Republican primary voters.
As the second Republican primary debate unfolds, it remains to be seen how this attack by Never Back Down will impact the dynamics between DeSantis and Ramaswamy. Whether voters will be swayed by the video’s messaging or perceive it as a desperate attempt to discredit Ramaswamy is uncertain. However, this episode serves as a reminder of the high stakes involved in political campaigns and the strategic moves made by super PACs to influence the outcome.
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