As Republicans enter the 2024 primary, they face one big question: Where do they differ with former President Donald Trump on policy?
Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur who has been described as an “anti-woke” activist, is the latest Republican presidential hopeful to dance around the question.
On Thursday night, Fox News’ Sean Hannity asked Ramaswamy, “What are the policy differences you have between yourself and Trump?”
“So, first of all, Donald Trump is a friend. I’m not running against him. I’m running on a vision for our nation,” he began.
However, Hannity interjected as he said, “Wait a minute, but you’re not running for him. You’re running against him. Let’s be honest.”
Ramaswamy responded by calling Trump the “OG of America First,” then stated he would be “taking that to the next level with America First 2.0.” Specifically, he vowed to dismantle the “federal bureaucracy.”
The entrepreneur also promised to shut down federal agencies and to end the “climate religion.”
However, he did not share a real difference from Trump. He shared some policy ideas that the former president could easily steal and run on.
Watch the video below:
Hannity: What are the policy differences you have between yourself and Trump?
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 24, 2023
Ramaswamy: Donald Trump is a friend. I’m not running against him. I’m running on a vision for our nation… pic.twitter.com/dA7ATPHbKF
Ramaswamy is not the only Republican to avoid answering questions about how they would differentiate themself from Trump to beat him in the primary.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was asked during a Feb. 21 appearance on Fox News how she would beat the former president. She responded, “I kick forward. I talk about Joe Biden. I’m not worried about Trump.”
“This is about making sure we do something different and leave the status quo behind,” she added.
FOX NEWS: How do you beat Trump?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 21, 2023
NIKKI HALEY: I talk about Joe Biden pic.twitter.com/g1RX95NrvQ
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), seen as a potential 2024 candidate, was also asked by Hannity what some of his policy differences with Trump are.
“Probably not very many at all,” Scott responded. “I am so thankful that we had President Trump in office. Frankly, the policies we were able to pass from 2017 to 2020 were monumental.”
HANNITY: What are your policy differences with Trump?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 23, 2023
TIM SCOTT: Probably not very many at all. I am so thankful that we had President Trump in office. pic.twitter.com/Nd34nwizfJ
It makes sense candidates would want to tread lightly with Trump. They do not want to wake up to see 12 bizarre posts shared on Truth Social at 1:27 a.m. attacking them. But eventually, if they’re going to break through, they will need to share a difference.
Why would voters not simply back the “OG” candidate if all the others are advocating for the same policies?
If they are not going to share any substantive policy differences, you would at least think one of them could make the argument, “You know, with me, you can get eight years. With Trump, you would only get four. And it is not as clear an open race in 2028 would go to the Republicans. Incumbents are usually harder to beat.”
Unless they hope Trump drops out or becomes unable to run, Republicans will need to draw some kind of distinction to give voters a reason to support them. Someone will have to take a risk and make the case of why the former president is not the right choice. Otherwise, they can be friends with Trump while he is the nominee.