Pence explains why lack of experience is disqualifying for Ramaswamy, but wasn’t for Trump

Former Vice President Mike Pence drew a distinction between the lack of experience former President Trump had in 2016 and that of entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, whom Pence attacked on the GOP debate stage Wednesday night as a “rookie.”

“We live in at a different time,” Pence said in an interview on CNN when asked about the difference between the two charismatic outsiders.

He then pointed to what he suggested were failed policies of President Biden.

“I mean, President Joe Biden is weak in this country, at home and abroad. That disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan has emboldened the enemies of freedom,” Pence said. “We have war raging in Eastern Europe, China continues to menace in the Asia Pacific and here at home.”

“I just wanted people to understand I believe this is a time for proven and experienced leadership in Washington, D.C. I know how to get things done in Congress,” he continued. “I know the role of states, the vital role that our states play, and I know how the administration works, and bringing all that experience to bear, frankly, it’s the reason why my wife and I stepped into this race.”

The former vice president spent much of his speaking time on the debate stage Wednesday touting his own policy chops and going after Ramaswamy, a political newcomer who has benefited from a modest surge in recent polls. 

“You got people on this stage that won’t even talk about issues like Social Security and Medicare. I mean, Vivek, you recently said a president can’t do everything,” he said Wednesday night. “Well, I got news for you, Vivek — I’ve been in a hallway, I’ve been in the West Wing. A president in the United States has to confront every crisis facing America.”

He dug in further, explaining why a “rookie” shouldn’t be the next president.

“Joe Biden has weakened this country at home and abroad. Now is not the time for on-the-job training,” Pence said Wednesday.

“We don’t need to bring in a rookie,” he added. “We don’t need to bring in people without experience.”