Vivek Ramaswamy Says GOP Must Refocus on Economic Survival After Democrat Sweep

After a bruising election night for Republicans, Vivek Ramaswamy didn’t waste time sugarcoating the results. Appearing on The Ingraham Angle Wednesday night, the former GOP presidential candidate and current Ohio gubernatorial contender laid out what he called the critical takeaway from the Democrats’ nationwide wins: the Republican Party must stop chasing noise and double down on economic leadership.

“We have got to focus now on domestic economic policy,” Ramaswamy said. “People across the country feel like their electric bills have gotten too high, feel like healthcare costs are out of control, grocery prices... the cost of living and housing it’s all out of reach.”

Tuesday's elections saw Democrats take back the Virginia governor’s mansion, win the New York City mayoral race with a radical socialist, and retain control in deep-blue New Jersey. These results came despite a country where most voters continue to tell pollsters they’re struggling financially.

Ramaswamy, the former head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), emphasized that the GOP has the right answers they’re just not communicating them well enough.

His message to Republicans was clear:

• Talk directly about the economy, not just culture wars and political personalities.

• Cut red tape that’s been strangling housing, energy, and healthcare.

• Connect with younger and female voters who are losing faith in the American dream.

Ramaswamy didn’t hold back on criticizing what he sees as bureaucratic sabotage by Democrats, particularly under Joe Biden’s watch.

“Democrats have constructed a lot of red tape... at both the federal and state level,” he said. “We need to unleash production of everything that matters.”

Ramaswamy pointed to land use restrictions and permitting roadblocks that are crushing the housing supply and driving up costs. His message wasn’t just about trimming regulations it was about reviving opportunity in a nation where more and more young people believe the system is rigged against them.

“They’re a generation that’s skeptical of that idea of the American dream,” he said. “When homeownership feels like it’s out of reach, like they’re working hard but not getting ahead we have to fix that.”

And that, Ramaswamy insists, starts long before the ballot box. “This starts with our education system,” he said. “The job of our K through 12 system is to prepare our young people to be effective contributors to the workforce.”

Amid frustration over the GOP's Election Day setbacks, Ramaswamy urged Republicans not to become cynical. Instead, he called on the party to become aspirational again to offer young Americans a roadmap to prosperity, not just opposition to the Left.

“We’re the last best hope on planet Earth... we just have to convince young people to come along with us.”

The warning signs are flashing red. Democrats are winning on fear, emotion, and well-funded messaging. Meanwhile, Republican candidates even strong ones like Winsome Earle-Sears and Jack Ciattarelli are being swamped by spending gaps, media spin, and an electorate overwhelmed by economic anxiety.

Ramaswamy, who spent time stumping for both Earle-Sears and Ciattarelli, said those races were winnable but Republicans missed the mark by not focusing enough on the daily issues crushing working-class Americans.

As 2024 looms, and Ohio prepares to take center stage, Ramaswamy’s message is simple: Get real. Get focused. And give the people something to believe in.

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