Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was the last of the four presidential hopefuls to address the California Republican Party convention this weekend, where he sought to position himself as the outsider in the campaign.
Though on Saturday afternoon, the day after the other three candidates spoke, Ramaswamy’s event drew a sizable crowd, one that gave him a standing ovation as he entered the ballroom to the tune of “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons and appeared to increasingly warm to him throughout the course of his 30-minute speech.
Visiting the Anaheim Marriott yesterday was former President Donald Trump — who drew the loudest, largest crowd — South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Speaking to reporters Saturday afternoon, Ramaswamy said California’s policies, as well as the Biden administration’s, have been a “disaster.” But he said he opted against referencing either in his speech to California Republicans at the convention because that would not “win us this election.”
“I mentioned neither Biden nor California in that speech because, as I said, I am leading us to something,” said Ramaswamy. “I’m done with the silly slogans just bashing Biden; there’s plenty of bashing for him. … We’re going to (win) by offering an actual, alternative vision of our own.”
During his speech, Ramaswamy, who has aligned himself with Trump throughout his campaign, mostly stuck to the rhetoric he’s often given on the campaign trail.
“We’re in the middle of a cultural civil war right now,” said Ramaswamy. “The culture of fear has displaced our culture of free speech in America.”
Attendees at the lunchtime event — which cost $175 for general admission and $225 for preferred seating — were decked out in patriotic gear with noticeably fewer Trump-themed accessories than the day prior. Some people had American flags draped over their shoulders, and many wore different shades of red and blue. One person…
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