PodcastsAll-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & FriedbergE138: Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in conversation with the Besties
E138: Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in conversation with the Besties
All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & FriedbergFri Jul 21 2023
Vivek's Background and Decision to Run for President:
- Graduated from Harvard
- Started career as a biotech investor, then founded a successful biotech company called Royven
- Experienced demands to make statements on behalf of Black Lives Matter and faced backlash for expressing his views on stakeholder capitalism
- Made the decision to step down from his company and speak freely
Views on Companies Being Politically Active:
- Believes companies should focus on their core mission without taking on unrelated social missions
- Supports the idea that companies can help fill the void of purpose and meaning in people's lives by having a worthy mission
Immigration Policy:
- Favors merit-based immigration system with criteria based on skills that match job openings in the US
- Also believes in requiring civic commitments to the country as part of the immigration process
Foreign Policy: Ukraine-Russia Conflict:
- Proposes freezing current lines of control between Ukraine and Russia as part of an armistice agreement
- Would require Russia to exit its military partnership with China in return for this agreement
Foreign Policy: Taiwan-China Relations:
- Would defend Taiwan until the US achieves semiconductor independence due to strategic importance of semiconductors
American Exceptionalism and Populism:
- Believes America is exceptional when it sets an example through living by its own ideals and values
- Acknowledges legitimate grievances within populism but emphasizes the need for recognition of truth and moving forward together as one nation
Department of Education Abolishment:
- Advocates for shutting down the Department of Education, returning funds to states, promoting school choice, transparency, and accountability
Abortion Rights:
- Personally pro-life but supports leaving abortion legislation up to individual states rather than federal government intervention
National Security vs. Personal Privacy:
- Skeptical of national security establishment, advocates for free speech, open debate, transparency, and protection of civil liberties
- Opposes unnecessary military involvement and emphasizes the need for a clear purpose in national security decisions
COVID-19 Vaccination and Anthony Fauci:
- Personally vaccinated against COVID-19 but believes individuals should have the freedom to make their own choices regarding vaccination
- Criticizes Anthony Fauci for substituting authority for scientific method, emphasizes the importance of free speech and open debate in science
Republican Party Division on Ukraine:
- Acknowledges division within the Republican Party regarding prioritization of Ukraine over domestic issues
- Believes that base voters prioritize domestic concerns while party establishment focuses on international affairs
- Advocates for aligning policies with voter priorities and addressing the divide between party elites and grassroots supporters