The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: Post-Debate Analysis on September 11, 2024 – DEBATE NIGHT!

Hosted by Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz, this special episode of "The 47 Morning Update" delves into the highlights and critical moments of the recent presidential debate. Released on September 11, 2024, the episode offers an in-depth analysis of Vice President Kamala Harris's performance, the Biden administration's policies, and the broader implications for the 2024 election.

1. Acknowledging the 9/11 Anniversary

The episode begins with a poignant acknowledgment of the September 11 anniversary. Senator Ted Cruz states:

"It's exactly midnight as we are recording, which means it has just become September 11th. I want to acknowledge that 23 years ago the worst terrorist attack in our nation's history happened."
[00:24]

Both hosts reflect on the enduring impact of 9/11, emphasizing the importance of competent leadership in safeguarding national security. Cruz warns of heightened terrorism risks, attributing them to recent policy failures:

"Today we have a greater risk of a major terrorist attack than we have had any time since September 11, 2001 because of the disastrous policies of the last four years."
[00:24]

2. Overview of the Debate Night

Senator Cruz and Ben Ferguson characterize the debate as a pivotal moment in the election cycle. They critique Kamala Harris's performance, suggesting she was outmatched by former President Donald Trump. Cruz observes:

"It is a three on one debate against Donald Trump and ABC News."
[04:11]

They highlight ABC News's apparent bias, noting the network's favorable treatment towards Harris compared to Trump.

3. Kamala Harris's Debate Performance

Harris's inability to effectively address key issues is a central theme of the analysis. Senator Cruz criticizes her for relying on rehearsed speeches instead of substantive answers:

"Kamala refused to answer... instead, she had a little memorized set piece."
[08:01]

Key Points of Critique:

• Inflation and Economic Policies: Cruz argues that Harris cannot defend the rise in living costs, attributing inflation to her and President Biden's spending policies.

  "The price of just about everything has gone up, from food to electricity to rent."
  [08:01]

• Energy Policies: Harris is faulted for implementing over 90 regulations and executive orders that, according to Cruz, have crippled American energy production.

  "They put in over 90 different regulations and executive orders attacking oil and gas production."
  [13:34]

• Immigration Crisis: As the Biden administration's border czar, Harris is held responsible for the surge in illegal immigration and associated violence.

  "She is directly responsible for the people who have died, 853 migrants died last year crossing illegally into this country."
  [17:15]

4. Media Bias and Fact-Checking

A significant portion of the discussion centers on ABC News's handling of the debate. Senator Cruz points out the imbalance in fact-checking:

"ABC News fact checked Donald Trump seven times. Not one time the debate did they fact check Kamala Harris."
[16:39]

He accuses mainstream media outlets of being "left-wing mouthpieces for the Democrats," undermining their credibility and fairness in political discourse.

5. Trump's Effective Counterpoints

In contrast to Harris's performance, Trump is praised for his strong and direct responses. Cruz highlights Trump's challenge to Harris on immigration:

"She should leave right now, go down to the White House... let's sign a bill to close up the border."
[22:48]

Foreign Policy Strengths:

• Peace in the Middle East: Cruz credits Trump with fostering peace and stability, citing the Abraham Accords as a testament to his effective foreign policy.

  "We had peace breaking out in the Middle East. We saw the Abraham Accords being signed."
  [26:32]

• Sanctions on Russia: Trump’s administration's sanctions on Nord Stream 2 are highlighted as pivotal actions that curtailed Russian aggression.

  "Nord Stream 2 was a dead hunk of metal at the bottom of the ocean until Joe Biden and Kamala Harris came into office."

[13:34]

6. Future Debate Prospects

The discussion anticipates the possibility of another debate. Both hosts advocate for Trump to accept any new debate invitations to further challenge Harris. However, they express skepticism about Harris's willingness to participate again:

"I think Kamala's team will back out on it."
[30:53]

Cruz predicts that Harris will remain in a controlled environment, avoiding further public debates until election day.

7. Campaign Strategy and Key Takeaways

Senator Cruz outlines strategic messaging points for the Trump campaign:

"The focus needs to be on how people's lives are worse off because of the horrible policies that Kamala Harris is directly responsible for."
[21:58]

Primary Focus Areas:

• Economic Hardships: Emphasizing rising costs in mortgages, groceries, and energy.

  "Total prices are up over 20%, car insurance up 54%, gas is up 50.50%..."

[21:58]

• Border Security: Highlighting the ongoing immigration crisis and advocating for immediate policy reversals.

  "They immediately halted construction of the border wall... reinstated the disastrous policy of catch and release."

[22:48]

• Foreign Policy Accountability: Criticizing the Biden administration's handling of international relations, particularly in Ukraine and Israel.

  "Kamala Harris has flowed over $100 billion to Iran... Kamala has no answer to that."

[26:32]

Cruz stresses that the campaign should personalize these issues, connecting them to the everyday struggles of American families and individuals.

8. Honoring Veterans and National Security

Concluding the episode, both hosts honor veterans and reiterate the importance of strong leadership in national security. Cruz reflects on his personal interactions with veterans:

"I had the privilege of playing golf today with some of those that actually took out some of the worst terrorists in the world, some special operators."
[33:12]

He underscores the necessity of competent leaders to protect American freedoms and honor the sacrifices made by service members.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Addressing 9/11:

  "23 years ago the worst terrorist attack in our nation's history happened."
  [00:24]

• Debate Bias:

  "ABC News fact checked Donald Trump seven times. Not one time the debate did they fact check Kamala Harris."
  [16:39]

• Immigration Crisis:

  "She is directly responsible for the people who have died, 853 migrants died last year crossing illegally into this country."
  [17:15]

• Policy Failures:

  "The American people are worse off as a result of the failures of her extreme policies."
  [31:10]

• Leadership and Security:

  "Without you giving up years of your life and risking your life and losing your brothers in uniform, we wouldn't have the freedoms we have today."
  [33:12]

Conclusion

This episode of "The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson" provides a comprehensive critique of Kamala Harris's debate performance and the Biden administration's policies. Through detailed analysis and pointed commentary, Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz articulate their perspectives on the critical issues facing America, emphasizing the need for strong, accountable leadership. As the 2024 election approaches, the hosts advocate for informed voting based on the tangible impacts of current policies on everyday Americans.

For more insightful discussions and updates, subscribe to "The 47 Morning Update" on the iHeartRadio app or your preferred podcast platform. Stay informed, stay ahead, and join Ben Ferguson in shaping the conversation around America's future.