Will more people vote for him?
In the basement of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house at Iowa State University, Vivek Ramaswamy delivered his pitch to an audience primarily composed of about 50 young men, with one young woman in attendance, creating a literal frat house atmosphere for the night. The fraternity members engaged Ramaswamy with questions about cryptocurrency, “woke” indoctrination on campus, and crime in Chicago. Ramaswamy, an honorary brother for the occasion, reciprocated by seeking suggestions on attracting large numbers of college students, particularly at Iowa State, to participate in the caucus on Jan. 15, emphasizing his openness to creative ideas.
Despite public polls indicating his struggle in Iowa, Ramaswamy remains confident that he is mobilizing a wave of first-time caucusgoers who will deliver a surprise. His campaign strategy involves hosting “Free Speech and Free Drinks” events on college campuses, where he covers the bar tab for students in exchange for their attention and potential support in the caucus. While these events draw predominantly male crowds, they also foster a notably fratty atmosphere.
During an event at the University of Iowa, Ramaswamy addressed a diverse audience, with older Iowans showing genuine interest in the front while younger attendees, congregated toward the bar, sought drinks and engaged in rowdiness. Ramaswamy delved into a narrative about the alliance between corporate America and the left, introducing the Communist Party of China as a new player in the political landscape. Despite attempts to make serious points about his political philosophy, the audience, fueled by alcohol, responded with humor and boisterous cheers.
At a pre-Halloween event at Iowa State University, Ramaswamy continued his “Free Speech and Free Drinks” approach, providing free drinks to costumed, mostly male, college students. However, the atmosphere took a turn when chants of “F— Joe Biden” erupted from the crowd. The challenge of addressing an audience influenced by free alcohol became evident as the bustling bar refused to quiet down, resulting in a 21-minute town hall, one of the shorter events on Ramaswamy’s campaign trail.
