Republican primary: Vivek Ramaswamy may spoil DeSantis' dream of a two-horse race

Florida governor Ron DeSantis emerged from the inaugural Republican presidential debate maintaining his status as the primary rival to Donald Trump.

Although his flawless performance on Wednesday evening satisfied supporters who claimed he articulated a coherent rationale for his candidacy, it was former tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy who occupied a central role during the debate.

As a political newcomer, Ramaswamy played a significant role in the debate, particularly due to the absence of the current leading GOP candidate, Donald Trump. Throughout the event, he seized multiple noteworthy opportunities, criticizing his fellow contenders as "puppets of super PACs," and employing "preconceived, rehearsed catchphrases" to target his position.

Vivek Ramaswamy's popularity surges after debate
Following the inaugural Republican presidential debate, the popularity and online fundraising of Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy experienced a significant surge on Thursday.

Ramaswamy's campaign reported that within the initial hour following the debate, the 38-year-old aspirant for the presidency amassed over $450,000 in contributions, with an average donation of $38.

"In the absence of Trump, Ramaswamy takes the reins of the GOP debate," reported the widely read Axis. The first post-debate poll, involving 504 respondents, indicated that 28% believed Ramaswamy delivered the most impressive performance. Following closely was Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with 27%, and Pence garnered 13%. Haley secured 7% of the votes.

According to Fox News, Ramaswamy held the distinction of being the most frequently searched GOP candidate on Google following the first Republican presidential debate. In the search trends, he was followed by fellow Indian-American contender, Nikki Haley. The two Indian-American candidates were positioned side by side on the debate stage.

The Wall Street Journal's coverage titled "Vivek Ramaswamy Grabs Spotlight at First Republican Primary Debate" highlighted his prominence. However, the editorial board critiqued his foreign policy proposals, expressing doubt over their ability to propel him into the White House.

The financial daily remarked, "Vivek Ramaswamy, the 38-year-old political novice, captured the spotlight at Wednesday's prime-time GOP presidential debate, yet there was limited evidence suggesting he or any other contender had discovered a new strategy to surpass front-runner Donald Trump."

The New York Times portrayed Ramaswamy's approach as audacious, noting, "With unwavering confidence and biting remarks, the biotech entrepreneur provoked his rivals into conflicts that dominated the Republicans' initial debate." The publication depicted his entrance as assertive, marked by direct confrontations with his rivals, a broad smile, and a lack of deference to the more seasoned candidates on stage.

NBC news described the debut debate as the "Vivek Ramaswamy Show," signifying the remarkable attention garnered by his participation.

No pivotal moment for DeSantis

For DeSantis, the absence of a pivotal moment for him has provided other candidates with an increased opportunity to challenge his vulnerable second-place position.

Heading into the Milwaukee debate, the governor's team aimed to reverse a decline in summer poll numbers and solidify his stance as the clear alternative to former President Donald Trump, who maintains a commanding lead of nearly 40 points in most polls.

In the most recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted prior to the debate, 8% of Republicans favored Pence, 7% supported Ramaswamy, and 5% endorsed Haley. DeSantis stood at 13%, requiring him to win over supporters from lower-polling rivals if he hopes to catch up to Trump, who held around 47%.

Robert Doar, president of the American Enterprise Institute, a prominent conservative think tank, told Reuters after the debate that it remains uncertain who is the best-positioned alternative to challenge Trump. "We're still unsure who that individual might be," he remarked.

(With inputs from agencies)