Vivek Ramaswamy is no Republican Obama to some Desis
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Zofeen Maqsood
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Indian American businessman and Republican presidential aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy may have had an eventful maiden presidential debate, but many desis are not amused by his rise.
At the first Republican primary debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie sought to belittle him by calling him an “amateur Barack Obama,” not a complimentary reference on a Republican platform.
But some Indian Americans took it as a compliment, even if a left handed one, and were amused with Christie’s comparison of Ramaswami with the former Democratic President Obama.
READ :Vivek Ramaswamy makes hay as the sun shines on him (August 25, 2023)
Neha Kapur, a H-4, homemaker based in Utah saidj, “It’s amusing to see an Indian-origin candidate singing high praises for (former President Donald) Trump, even though Trump was the one who made living on legal visas like H-4 a nightmare in the US.”
“I have no idea what his target audience are, but for Indians living and working on visas in America none of what he says makes any sense,” she said.
Kumar Soni, a professional working in Bay Area said, “Obama was a game changer. Someone who knew how to make an impact and drive a change.
“Even calling a newer candidate amateur Obama is a premature statement. He has to show what he can offer before one can even call him that.”
Some other Indians dubbed Ramaswamy praising Trump a gimmick. “So, has he been mentioned as someone trying to be President Obama?” said Deepti Shah from Ohio.
“Well, in that case we haven’t even noticed him talking or saying anything much to catch our attention. I don’t think I agree even with the amateur tag,” she said.
However, after the first Republican debate, where Ramaswamy definitely was noticed, some Indians are also looking at his prospects.
READ MORE: Vivek Ramaswamy advocates national holiday for single-day voting (August 9, 2023)
Kumar V. Swamy, a techie with a leading conglomerate in Seattle said, “Ramaswamy represents the American Dream, we all had when we came to the US. He is young, dynamic, successful, son of immigrants who is having some very nuanced views of his own.”
“I do not think he should be written off. He is and should be seen as a symbol of Indian-origin individuals creating mega success stories in the US,” he said.
A few others agreed with former vice president Mike Pence’s description of Ramaswamy as a “rookie.”
Nitin Jain from Seattle said, “Rookie sounds more like him than anywhere close to Obama even with the amateur prefix.”
But no one can deny that Ramaswamy’s run so far has turned out to be more prominent than previously expected.
“It is interesting to see more Indian Americans getting spotlight in mainstream American politics,” said Mahesh Babu. “Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy’s debate on issues such as whether the US should grant aid to Israel or not was a great example of how far Indians have come in the United States.”
