The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Episode: Big Stanford WIN for Free Speech, plus guest Dave McCormick on How We Beat China
Release Date: March 24, 2023

1. Celebrating a Victory for Free Speech at Stanford Law School

The episode kicks off with host Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz celebrating a significant triumph in the realm of free speech. They discuss an incident at Stanford Law School where Federal Judge Kyle Duncan was subjected to aggressive protests by left-wing activists during his speech, disrupting his ability to speak effectively.

Key Points:

• Incident Overview: Judge Kyle Duncan was invited by the Federalist Society to speak at Stanford Law School. Left-wing activists protested violently, attempting to silence him through shouting, cursing, and making sexually profane attacks.

• University Response: Ferguson and Cruz express disappointment in Stanford's initial handling of the situation, particularly highlighting the dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Jenny Martinez, who sided with the protesters instead of upholding Stanford’s free speech policies.

• Actions Taken:

  • Cruz sent a letter to the Texas State Bar urging inquiries into students' behavior during the protest, questioning their fitness to join the bar if they couldn't handle disagreements respectfully.
  • A letter was also sent to Stanford Law School questioning disciplinary actions against the offending students and the dean’s role in the incident.

Senator Ted Cruz's Commentary ([00:44]):
"Stanford Law School has taken a pivotal step by suspending Associate Dean Tyran Steinbach, their DEI dean, for stifling free speech... this gives some degree of hope that free speech is possible and that maybe, maybe, maybe the pendulum of the woke schools may be starting to swing back in the other direction."

Stanford's Response:
Stanford University confirmed the suspension of Dean Jenny Martinez and outlined measures to prevent future disruptions, including additional staff training, policy revisions, mandatory free speech sessions for law students, and forming a committee to gather feedback and make further recommendations.

Impact and Significance:
Ferguson and Cruz view this as a critical victory against the suppression of free speech on campus, emphasizing the importance of academic institutions upholding their free speech policies to foster open dialogue and debate.

2. Guest Introduction: Dave McCormick and His New Book

Ben Ferguson introduces Dave McCormick, a seasoned political commentator and author, who joins the discussion to talk about his latest book, Superpower in Peril: A Battle Plan to Renew America. The timing of the book’s release is underscored as particularly relevant given the current geopolitical tensions with China.

Dave McCormick's Background:

• Military and Leadership: McCormick is a West Point graduate, Army Ranger, and combat veteran who has served in the Bush administration's Treasury Department, focusing on China.
• Business Acumen: He successfully led a major hedge fund in Pittsburgh, creating over 1,000 jobs.
• Political Aspirations: Recently ran for Senate in Pennsylvania, supported by Cruz, but narrowly lost in the primary by 915 votes out of 1.4 million cast.

Notable Quote ([09:45]):
"America doesn't have a plan. And this book, Superpower in Peril, is about our plan for retaining our place in the world and for restoring the American dream."

3. Analyzing the China Threat

The core of the discussion revolves around the growing threat posed by China and the inadequacies of the current American strategy to counter it.

Key Insights:

• China's Technological Dominance:

  • A recent study highlighted that China leads in 37 out of 44 critical technologies essential for economic growth and national security.
  • China is strategically positioning itself to displace the U.S. as the global superpower through technological advancements and geopolitical maneuvers.

• Geopolitical Maneuvers:

  • China's role in brokering deals between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
  • Collaboration between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly in supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Dave McCormick's Perspective ([15:50]):
"China has a plan and we don't. America doesn't have a plan."

• Economic Vulnerabilities:
  • The U.S. is heavily dependent on China for critical supplies, such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
  • Example highlighted: 90% of the chips required by the U.S. are manufactured in Taiwan, creating a strategic vulnerability.

4. Technological Vulnerabilities and National Security

McCormick delves into specific areas where the U.S. is vulnerable due to technological dependencies on China, emphasizing the need for strategic decoupling.

Semiconductors:

• Critical Role: Semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology, from everyday electronics to advanced weaponry.
• Dependency Risk: With 90% of U.S. chips produced in Taiwan, any conflict or control exerted by China over this region poses a severe threat to American industries and national security.

Data Security and Privacy:

• TikTok Example:
  • The app collects vast amounts of data from users, raising concerns about potential surveillance and data exploitation by the Chinese government.
  • McCormick urges for stringent privacy restraints to protect American data from being accessed and misused by foreign powers.

Dave McCormick's Analysis ([19:43]):
"If China successfully invades Taiwan and takes over, they could cut off the most sophisticated chips being produced... That vulnerability is massive."

5. Strategic Recommendations to Counter China

McCormick outlines a comprehensive plan to address the challenges posed by China, focusing on both economic revitalization and strategic decoupling.

Economic Revitalization ("Going to the Gym at Home"):

• Increased Investment:

  • Boost investment in research and development to foster innovation.
  • Enhance technical education and training to fill critical job roles in advanced technologies.

• Incentivizing Private Sector:

  • Implement government incentives and tax rebates to encourage private investment in key technological areas without heavy-handed industrial policies.

Strategic Decoupling:

• Key Areas Identified:
  • Semiconductors: Develop domestic manufacturing capabilities to reduce dependency.
  • Pharmaceuticals: Ensure supply chain independence to safeguard national health security.

Defense and Military Strengthening:

• Dual Investment:

  • Maintain and upgrade existing military platforms.
  • Invest in next-generation technologies to stay ahead of Chinese advancements.

• Energy Independence:

  • Capitalize on domestic natural gas reserves in states like Pennsylvania to reduce energy dependency on foreign sources, enhancing both economic and national security.

Dave McCormick's Strategy ([32:22]):
"We need to have the government create incentives, tax rebates, and potentially side-by-side investing with the private sector to drive capital into those areas that are most critical for our national security."

6. Addressing the China-Russia Alliance

The episode also touches upon the burgeoning alliance between China and Russia, highlighting the compounded threat it poses to the United States.

Implications of the Alliance:

• Resource and Technology Exchange:

  • Russia’s energy resources combined with China’s technological advancements create a formidable partnership that can challenge U.S. dominance.

• Geopolitical Maneuvering:

  • Coordinated efforts to undermine U.S. influence globally, as seen in their joint support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Dave McCormick's Insights ([35:48]):
"China is trying to create techno-authoritarian dominance... their objective is world dominance and displacing the United States using a techno-authoritarian capability."

Strategic Response:

• Balanced Defense Spending:

  • Invest in both maintaining current military capabilities and developing future technologies.

• Energy Policy Reform:

  • Shift towards leveraging domestic energy resources to fortify economic and military strength, thereby reducing vulnerabilities exploited by adversaries.

7. Optimism for American Resilience

Senator Ted Cruz concludes the discussion by expressing confidence in America's ability to overcome the challenges posed by China, drawing parallels to the successful strategies employed during the Cold War.

Key Takeaways:

• Strength of Free Enterprise:

  • The American free enterprise system is highlighted as a robust economic model superior to communism.

• Need for Strong Leadership:

  • Emphasizes the importance of clear and strong leadership, akin to President Reagan’s approach during the Cold War, to effectively counter China’s ambitions.

Cruz's Closing Remarks ([37:31]):
"I believe America can and will prevail against China... We need to replicate the strategy of the Cold War for dealing with China."

8. Final Thoughts and Book Promotion

The episode wraps up with final endorsements and promotions, encouraging listeners to engage with Dave McCormick’s book, Superpower in Peril: A Battle Plan to Renew America, available on Amazon and through his book tour.

Ben Ferguson's Invitation:
"Grab Dave's new book, Superpower in Peril. You can grab it on Amazon or wherever you get your books."

Conclusion

This episode of The 47 Morning Update presents a compelling analysis of the current geopolitical landscape, highlighting the urgent need for the United States to strategize effectively against China's rising influence. Through the insights of Dave McCormick and the framing by Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz, listeners gain a deep understanding of the multifaceted challenges and the strategic responses necessary to preserve American supremacy and safeguard national security.