Vivek Ramaswamy Says He Would Reject VP Offer

In a Saturday TV interview with Fox News (Right bias), Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he would turn down any offer to be VP if he does not win the nomination.

The Details: Ramaswamy made the comments to host Neil Cavuto on his show Cavuto Live. His comment comes after weeks of chatter about his potential as a VP candidate.

Key Quote: “I’m not interested in a different position in the government,” said Ramaswamy, “Frankly, I’d drive change through the private sector sooner than becoming number two or three in the federal government.”

For Context: Ramaswamy’s polling numbers have been climbing lately, with some polls showing him in second place, ahead of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. As of August 19, the RealClearPolitics (Center bias) average shows him in third place at 8.4% compared to DeSantis’ 14.8%. 

Leaked Memo: Ramaswamy has drawn recent shots from DeSantis’ base, whose super PAC debate prep memo said DeSantis should take a “sledgehammer” to him at the first GOP debate next week. The memo, which was leaked, also called Ramaswamy a “Hindu who… was very much ingrained in India’s caste system.”

How The Media Covered It: Politico (Lean Left bias) also highlighted Ramaswamy’s opinion about age not being a factor for a presidential candidate, old or young; except in the case of President Biden. Fox News included part of the transcript from Cavuto Live. The Hill (Center bias), as it has done previously, noted that Ramaswamy is in second place in some polls.