Ramaswamy launches “Vivek’s Kitchen Cabinet” as fundraising program, grumbling ensues

Is Vivek Ramaswamy crowdsourcing fundraising for his Republican primary campaign? It kind of sounds like that. He launched what he calls “Vivek’s Kitchen Cabinet” and it is an example of how he thinks outside the box. He is growing his donor base.

Ramaswamy, 37, is providing a financial incentive for supporters who would like to raise money for his presidential campaign. People who raise money for his campaign will get to keep 10% of what they bring in. That’s an interesting concept, right? Vivek is a political neophyte. He was not aware, he said, of the money that political consultants rake in over the course of a campaign. He calls them an oligopoly. That is similar to a monopoly, except that a small number exert control over the majority in a market. In other words, in the business of political campaigns, a few will reap the benefits of a well-funded campaign.

He wants to empower everyday people as his fundraising is targeting small-dollar donors.

“A small oligopoly of political fundraisers is already making an ungodly amount of $$ on this election. It’s disgusting. I’m breaking up that cartel,” Ramaswamy tweeted alongside an announcement video.

“If someone else is getting rich on this, it might as well be you. Let’s go!”

A small oligopoly of political fundraisers is already making an ungodly amount of $$ on this election. It’s disgusting. I’m breaking up that cartel. Today we’re launching the Vivek Kitchen Cabinet: starting today, *anyone* can fundraise for the Vivek 2024 campaign & make a 10%… pic.twitter.com/k2y9ZL8WPe

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) July 10, 2023

I’ll be honest. I like the guy. I’m impressed with his ability to effectively communicate and get his message across to an audience. How many times a day do we ask ourselves, what did Biden say or what did Kamala say? The White House press secretary is also a disaster in communicating. He speaks without notes and just takes off. I wish more Republican candidates had such talent.

Those who want to participate must comply with Federal Election Commission rules, undergo a background check, and fill out a 1099 form, They are independent contractors.

He explains that this is ground-breaking thinking for a political campaign but it is how he operated in the business world. He’s a multi-millionaire at a young age so he must be on to something. Naturally, there are skeptical conservatives willing to slam another conservative. It’s what Republicans do. The media loves it.

Good grief. Vivek is now setting up pyramid schemes right out in the open. Also, there is not a “small oligopoly of political fundraisers”—they are a dime a dozen. He’s just making things up as he goes. https://t.co/x7P3LSm6Mt

— Heath Mayo (@HeathMayo) July 10, 2023

Speaking of “making up things as he goes”… Mayo is the face of Principles First, “a grassroots effort to rediscover and champion the classical liberal tradition in the 21st century.” A grift is a grift is a grift, especially in politics. NeverTrump groups are no different than other groups when it comes to raising money.

Ramaswamy is giving back to those who are not professional fundraisers and there is nothing wrong with that. He is offering his time to keep in touch with them along the way.

“So he’s going to pay random people to cold call, mass text, and send out spam emails?” wrote Yesh Ginsburg. “Look, it’s an ‘idea’ that makes him seem unique, but practically speaking the people who get money from him on this will be those who already are good at fundraising. This is silly.”

Maybe. But Ramaswamy has already met the requirement of 40,000 unique donors needed to qualify for the first debate. That number may raise to 50,000 for the September debate, and 60,000 for the October debate. At this rate, he’ll keep people interested in his campaign.

I’ve thought all along that he’s running for vice president or a position in the cabinet. He’d be good at either, though I think he’d be better in a specific cabinet position that allows him to use his business skills. YMMV. Thinking outside the box is good. Trump got elected in 2016 by turning traditional campaigning on its head. Let the grumblers grumble. In the meantime, Vivek is rising (slowly) in the polls. Some have him in third place behind Trump and DeSantis.