Former Vice President Mike Pence stood by his criticism of political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy on Thursday morning, claiming a more experienced political leader is necessary for the West Wing in 2024.
Pence, who was adamantly critical of Ramaswamy during Wednesday's debate, admitted that although the political inexperience of former President Donald Trump worked during his presidency, the country is in a different place this cycle.
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“We live in a different time,” Pence told CNN. “I mean, President Joe Biden has weakened this country, at home and abroad. the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan has emboldened the enemies of freedom. We have war raging in Eastern Europe, China continues to menace in the Asia Pacific and here at home."
Pence added that his own experience as the former vice president under Trump, and his credentials as the former governor of Indiana and former member of Congress, are why he's equipped to lead the country on both the national and international stage.
The former governor also slammed Ramaswamy multiple times during the debate over a lack of experience in policy, claiming 2024 was not a time for "on-the-job training." Ramaswamy, a young charismatic speaker, has seen a surge in polls recently that has placed him higher in the race nationally than Pence. However, he lags behind Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
“You got people on this stage that won’t even talk about issues like Social Security and Medicare. I mean, Vivek, you recently said a president can’t do everything,” Pence said Wednesday night. “Well, I got news for you, Vivek — I’ve been in a hallway, I’ve been in the West Wing. A president in the United States has to confront every crisis facing America.”
In a moment that has since gone viral, Pence also called the newcomer a "rookie."
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“Joe Biden has weakened this country at home and abroad. Now is not the time for on-the-job training,” Pence said. “We don’t need to bring in a rookie. We don’t need to bring in people without experience.”
Eight conservative presidential contenders took the stage at the first Republican debate Wednesday night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The next Republican debate will take place Sept. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.