California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy engaged in a highly anticipated debate at St. Anselm College’s New Hampshire Institute of Politics. Moderated by James Pindell of the Boston Globe, the initially cordial exchange evolved into a heated discussion, exposing their fundamental differences on various issues.
They debated topics like the economy, foreign affairs, climate change, and America’s future in 10-minute segments. Ramaswamy defended Israel’s right to self-defense in response to Hamas attacks, while Khanna emphasized American leadership and opposed ground wars.
On economic matters, Ramaswamy advocated boosting domestic production through energy expansion and reducing government regulations, blaming the Biden administration for Americans’ suffering. In contrast, Khanna stressed the role of government intervention in rebuilding industries.
Regarding climate change, Ramaswamy argued against certain policies, fearing potential harm, while Khanna highlighted the importance of environmental concerns, citing recent flooding incidents.
Towards the debate’s end, both found common ground in acknowledging the progress made in the country’s diversity and shared ideals of meritocracy, free speech, and self-governance. They agreed that it’s essential to celebrate the ideals uniting the nation beyond celebrating differences.
