Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Rep. Ro Khanna Debate on Foreign Policy, Climate Change and Economy in New Hampshire

Ramaswamy advocates for deregulation and domestic policy focus while Khanna calls for strategic international engagement and infrastructure investment in heated debate at St. Anselm College.

• In their debate, Vivek Ramaswamy argued for both increased domestic policy focus and reducing international military involvement, espousing an 'America First' philosophy that highlighted the potential risks associated with intervention in conflicts such as those in the Middle East. Ro Khanna, meanwhile, stressed the importance of strategic international engagement and a balanced approach to foreign affairs, viewing America's role as a global leader as crucial.
• While discussing Ukraine, Ramaswamy argued against American support, noting that the country has yet to meet its democratic expectations. Conversely, Khanna asserted that 'American interest requires American leadership' and suggested that supporting Ukraine could serve as a deterrent to aggressive actions by countries like China.
• On economic matters, Ramaswamy endorsed deregulation and increasing domestic production of goods, including energy through drilling, nuclear power, and fracking. He claimed that government regulations and bureaucracy were the main obstacles to growth. Khanna, opposing this viewpoint, advocated for government involvement in stimulating economic growth and opposed Ramaswamy's proposal to cut the federal bureaucracy by 75%.
• Regarding climate change, Ramaswamy expressed skepticism towards the policy measures meant to combat it, attributing them to a harmful agenda that forces America to apologize for its modern way of life. On the other hand, Khanna, while espousing a view grounded in scientific consensus, emphasized the need for urgent action on climate change and described preserving the health of the planet as integral to human flourishing.
• Despite their differing viewpoints on the aforementioned issues, both politicians agreed on the importance of celebrating the ideals that unify Americans. Ramaswamy emphasized the shared principles the nation was founded upon while Khanna acknowledged the strides made towards creating a cohesive multiracial democracy.

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