whatisit.com - Vivek Ramaswamy is a biotech entrepreneur and a Republican presidential candidate who is trying to win the Iowa caucuses on January 15, 2024. But his campaign strategy has been inconsistent and confusing, as he has changed his stance on TV ad spending several times in the past month.
From 'idiotic' to 'fun'
In late December 2023, NBC News reported that Ramaswamy's campaign had stopped all TV ad buys in Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two states to vote in the presidential primaries. Ramaswamy responded by posting on X, a social media platform, that TV ad spending is "idiotic, low-ROI & a trick that political consultants use to bamboozle candidates who suffer from low IQ." He also said on Fox News that he was running his campaign "with an actual IQ and an actual brain, not taken for a ride by political consultants."
However, less than two weeks later, Ramaswamy's campaign confirmed to NBC News that it would resume TV ad spending in Iowa, starting on January 10, 2024, just five days before the caucuses. His campaign spokesperson said that the campaign was "following the data and having some fun." Ramaswamy also released a new TV ad featuring Steve King, a former Iowa congressman and a white nationalist, endorsing him.
Why the sudden change?
Ramaswamy's flip-flopping on TV ad spending raises questions about his credibility and consistency as a candidate. Why did he decide to go back on his own words and spend money on TV ads after calling them "idiotic"? What data did he follow that made him change his mind? And how does he explain his endorsement from Steve King, who has a history of racist and xenophobic remarks?
Some analysts suggest that Ramaswamy's decision to resume TV ad spending was motivated by his poor performance in the polls and his failure to qualify for the last Republican presidential debate before the Iowa caucuses. According to the latest polls, Ramaswamy is trailing far behind former President Donald Trump, who leads the field with 52% support, followed by former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who are tied at 17%. Ramaswamy is at 7%, barely ahead of Texas Senator Ted Cruz and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who are at 6% and 5%, respectively.
Ramaswamy may have realized that he needed to boost his visibility and appeal to the Iowa voters, especially the white nationalist base that is loyal to Trump. By featuring Steve King in his TV ad, Ramaswamy may have hoped to gain some of King's supporters, who may be wary of Ramaswamy's ethnic background as an Indian-American. However, this strategy may also backfire, as it could alienate more moderate and diverse voters who reject King's extremism and bigotry.
Will it work?
It is unclear whether Ramaswamy's TV ad spending will have any significant impact on his chances of winning the Iowa caucuses. TV ads are only one of many factors that influence voters' decisions, and Ramaswamy faces strong competition from other candidates who have more resources, experience, and popularity. Moreover, Ramaswamy's flip-flopping on TV ad spending may damage his reputation as a smart and principled businessman, and expose him as a desperate and opportunistic politician.
Ramaswamy's campaign slogan is "Make America Think Again." But his erratic and contradictory behavior may make voters think twice before supporting him.
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