David Axelrod Makes Bold Prediction About Future of Ramaswamy Campaign

We are just under three weeks away from the Iowa Republican caucus, the first nominating contest in the country. Former and potentially future President Donald Trump has a historic lead in the polls, though he’s still facing four other candidates. The latest move from Vivek Ramaswamy has some, including Democratic strategist David Axelrod, wondering if he’ll even make it to Iowa, or will instead drop out to endorse Trump. . .

Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign stops all TV ad spending less than a month before Iowa and New Hampshire.
Just hard to capture his self-proclaimed greatness in 30 seconds ads?
Or…maybe he's fixing to drop out and endorse Trump. https://t.co/SGDLC3nK1S

— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) December 26, 2023

NBC notes that Ramaswamy was spending more than $200,000 in the first full week of December, but spent $6,000 on ads, all on TV, citing figures from AdImpact. The report also began by mentioning that Ramaswamy “does not have any TV ad reservations booked.”

According to Tricia McLaughlin, who serves as the campaign press secretary, the campaign is still spending on ads, but not on TV. As she explained it, they’re looking to best reach voters they’ve identified, with McLaughlin also noting the move is intentional:

Ramaswamy’s campaign says it is still spending money on ads, just not on TV.

“We are focused on bringing out the voters we’ve identified — best way to reach them is using addressable advertising, mail, text, live calls and doors to communicate with our voters on Vivek’s vision for America, making their plan to caucus and turning them out,” Tricia McLaughlin, the campaign’s press secretary told NBC News.

Presidential TV ad spending is idiotic, low-ROI & a trick that political consultants use to bamboozle candidates who suffer from low IQ.

We’re doing it differently. Spending $$ in a way that follows data…apparently a crazy idea in US politics.

Big surprise coming on Jan 15. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/i2X7Q5d2T9

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) December 27, 2023