Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy dismissed the notion of serving as vice president during a Fox News interview.
The biotech entrepreneur has been rising in the polls, leading to speculation about his ambitions. But Ramaswamy told Neil Cavuto that he is built to lead, comparing himself to President Trump.
“Donald Trump and I, I think, share something in common in that neither of us does well in a number two position."
Ramaswamy has faced rumors that his presidential aspirations aren't serious, with critics accusing him of self-promotion or currying favor with Trump - whom Ramaswamy has passionately defended as the former president faces multiple criminal indictments.
But Ramaswamy told Fox he can only fulfill his vision of national reconciliation - he has said he would pardon Trump and has floated a pardon for Hunter Biden as well - if he is serving as president.
"I’m built to actually lead the organizations that I’ve built and I think that when I’m looking at the federal government my greatest contribution, Neil, and one of my goals being to reunite this country, I’m going to be in the best position to get that done if I’m in the top job. That’s where my focus is.”
He continued, “I’ve been very clear. I am not interested in a different position, in a different position in the government...Frankly, I would drive change through the private sector sooner than becoming a number two or a number three in the federal government. That's not about ego."
Ramaswamy said he would consider the vice president's job if his motive were personal ambition - but he said that's not the case.
He said his goal is "reviving the dream of the American Revolution," adding, "I'm only going to be able to do that if I'm the next president."
"If this were about my quest for personal power, sure, that makes sense. But that's not what this is about. This is about reviving our missing national identity, reaching the next generation of Americans who are badly disaffected from politics," he said.
Ramaswamy will have a chance to shine in the first debate on Wednesday night, where sparks are likely to fly between him and Ron DeSantis, whose second-place position Ramaswamy has begun to threaten.
A new Emerson College poll found the candidates tied for second place at 10 percent, with Trump ahead at 56 percent.
