Best of Indian American Enemies: Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to Debate Democrat Ro Khanna
- Reminiscent of Gore Vidal vs William Buckley debates during the 1968 presidential elections, Vivek Ramaswamy and Ro Khanna have agreed to debate ideological and political divides between the conservatives and liberals in America today.
After gaining momentum with his animated performances in the last two GOP presidential primary debates, Vivek Ramaswamy will now spar with a leading progressive voice in the House — California Congressman Ro Khanna. He becomes the second candidate to agree to debate a Democrat who isn’t running for president. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to debate California Gov. Gavin Newsom next month. No date has been yet announced for the Ramaswamy-Khanna forum.
The idea of a debate with Ramaswamy was suggested by Khanna in a post on X. “The University of Chicago Institute of Politics wants to have a civil discourse with the two of us on race, identity, and the American dream. I accepted. I assume, as a speech advocate, you’re game.”
In response, Ramaswamy said he was open to debating “a smart Democrat who’s willing.” He did suggest a change of location. “If you are willing to do it in New Hampshire, I’m game.”
As The New York Times notes, there is “a huge ideological gap” between the two Indian Americans. Khanna is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Ramaswamy, “has espoused some of the most far-right positions in the Republican presidential field.”
Earlier this month, the former entrepreneur was supposed to debate former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a fellow candidate, on an hourlong special segment called “Candidates Corner,” with Fox News host Bret Baier. But the two appeared in separate interviews on the show as the Republican National Committee did not permit the debate.
According to The New York Times, the candidates have signed a pledge with the RNC “to support the party’s eventual nominee also forbade them to participate in any debates not sanctioned by the committee.” However, an RNC spokeswoman told The Times that “an unsanctioned debate with a Democrat would not violate the pledge.”
Last night, Ramaswamy had “a heated exchange” with Sean Hannity. The Fox News host pressed him about several statements he has made on the campaign trail, particularly as it relates to foreign policy and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, one of his 2024 Republican rivals.