The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: Detailed Summary of “Biden Stuns Nation by Deciding to Pull from 2024 Race”

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, released on July 22, 2024, host Ben Ferguson engages in an in-depth conversation with Senator Ted Cruz following the shocking announcement that President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race. The episode delves into the immediate repercussions for the Democratic Party, the potential rise of Kamala Harris as the new nominee, strategic implications for the Republican campaign, and the broader political landscape as the nation approaches the election day 106 days away.

1. Breaking News: Biden Withdraws from the Race

[00:01] Ben Ferguson: Announces that President Joe Biden has officially dropped out of the presidential race, setting the stage for urgent discussions on the implications.

[00:18] Senator Ted Cruz: Reflects on the historic nature of the announcement, highlighting the disarray within the Democratic Party and forecasting the chaos that will unfold in the remaining 160 days until the election.

2. Democratic Party in Disarray

[00:47] Senator Ted Cruz: Explains that Biden's withdrawal signifies a monumental shift, indicating that "the Democrat Party is in utter disarray." He emphasizes the sudden vacuum created by Biden's exit and the ensuing scramble to determine the next nominee.

[02:42] Senator Ted Cruz: Attributes Biden's decision to internal pressures within the Democratic Party, including opposition from key figures like Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and Hakeem Jeffries. He states, “the Democrats were in absolute panic” as they face unfavorable poll numbers, such as Trump leading Biden in Michigan by seven points.

3. Kamala Harris Emerges as the Front Runner

[04:36] Ben Ferguson: Observes the swift coalescence of support around Kamala Harris, noting endorsements from influential Democratic families and media pressure forcing Biden's exit.

[11:57] Senator Ted Cruz: Confirms Kamala Harris as the clear front runner, supported by prominent figures like Bill and Hillary Clinton, as well as Alex Soros. He points out that Harris's emergence is partly fueled by significant financial backing, stating, “the money is behind Kamala Harris.”

[25:07] Ben Ferguson: Highlights the strategic importance of Harris's endorsements, particularly from Alex Soros, who represents a crucial financial influence within the party.

4. Potential Vice Presidential Picks

[22:02] Ben Ferguson: Raises questions about the process of selecting a vice presidential candidate when the nominee is newly determined and not previously on the ballot.

[24:27] Senator Ted Cruz: Predicts that the Democratic Party will likely select a vice president based on factors like geographic representation, fundraising capabilities, and the ability to neutralize potential opponents. He suggests that Kamala Harris may opt for a “boring white guy” to balance the ticket, mentioning potential candidates such as:

• Josh Shapiro: Governor of Pennsylvania, perceived as a moderate with strong polling numbers.
• Mark Kelly: Senator from Arizona, a Navy veteran and former astronaut, noted for his affable demeanor and appeal in battleground states.

[25:22] Discusses Mark Kelly’s attributes, including his mainstream appeal and ability to attract voters in key states like Arizona.

5. Media Strategy and Republican Campaign Concerns

[28:34] Senator Ted Cruz: Expresses concern over the Democratic Party’s prolonged convention process, predicting a month-long focus on solidifying Kamala Harris's nomination. He warns that the media’s continuous coverage will overwhelm Republican campaign efforts, stating, “the next month’s news will be dominated by who the Democrat is going to be.”

[32:56] Ben Ferguson: Uses a sports analogy to caution Republicans against complacency, comparing potential Republican overconfidence to underestimated football teams that secure unexpected victories.

[34:37] Senator Ted Cruz: Advises Republicans to remain vigilant and not take the outcome for granted, drawing parallels to unlikely sports upsets to emphasize the unpredictability of the election race.

6. Campaign Strategy Recommendations

[38:33] Discusses strategic approaches for the Republican campaign in light of the Democratic nomination reset. Senator Cruz recommends:

• 40% Focus on Kamala Harris: Direct campaign efforts against Harris specifically.
• 60% Focus on the Democratic Record: Broader critique of the Democratic Party's policies and governance, emphasizing issues like economic mismanagement, energy policies, border control, and criminal justice.

He underscores the importance of addressing the collective failures of the Democratic administration rather than targeting individual candidates.

7. Closing Insights and Future Predictions

[40:27] Senator Ted Cruz: Makes a definitive prediction regarding potential pardons, asserting, “I'm going to place the odds that Joe Biden pardons Hunter Biden at 100.0%,” though he clarifies that such actions will not occur before the election.

[40:55] Ben Ferguson: Teases upcoming discussions and encourages listeners to subscribe and share the podcast, ensuring the audience stays informed on rapidly developing political events.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ted Cruz [00:18]: “Today is an historic day. We are 106 days out from the presidential election and the Democrat nominee for president, the sitting Democrat president, is out.”

• Ted Cruz [02:42]: “If they're losing Michigan by seven points, go ahead and pull the curtains down, roll up the rug. It's all over.”

• Ted Cruz [07:51]: “The only thing that changed is with the debate, it became untenable. The American people realized this guy is not capable of doing the job anymore.”

• Ted Cruz [16:17]: “The Sierra Club and the pro abortion groups and all of the Democrat Party today is a coalition of rent seekers of people who make their money suckling off the teat of government.”

• Ted Cruz [24:31]: “Josh Shapiro...is a moderate. He is Jewish. I think what is compelling is, number one, Shapiro has strong polling numbers in Pennsylvania.”

• Ted Cruz [32:56]: “What happens is donors pull out their checks and they write really big checks when they're massive. What happens is activists go and they work harder, they turn more people out,”

Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz provide a thorough analysis of the seismic shift within the Democratic Party following President Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 race. They explore the ascendancy of Kamala Harris as the likely nominee, the strategic maneuvers within the party, potential vice presidential selections, and the implications for the Republican campaign. The discussion underscores the volatility and high stakes as both parties navigate the rapidly evolving political landscape in the weeks leading up to the election.