The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Dems Bailing on Biden...Who Could Replace Him? plus RFK Jr Denied Protection & Ridiculous Trump Gag Order
Release Date: September 18, 2023

1. Democratic Party's Potential Shift Away from Joe Biden

Ted Cruz opens the discussion by expressing concerns that Joe Biden may no longer be the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election. He highlights several factors contributing to this possibility:

• Age and Polling Concerns: Biden's age is a significant worry for the party, with polling indicating that two-thirds of Americans believe he is too old to serve effectively. Cruz states, “The odds that Joe Biden is not the Democrats nominee in 2024 have risen significantly, maybe by as much as 20 or 30%” (00:24).

• Corruption Allegations: Ongoing investigations into Hunter Biden and perceived connections to Joe Biden are fueling internal unease within the party.

• Media Influence: The media's shift in tone, particularly outlets like the Washington Post and CNN, suggests growing discomfort with Biden's candidacy. Cruz remarks, “When the media turns on the presumed Democrat nominee, I think that is the cutting edge of the Democrat intelligentsia saying we may have to cut bait and find someone new” (01:20).

2. Media Turning Against Biden

Ben Shapiro and Ted Cruz delve into the Washington Post's critical op-ed questioning Biden’s viability as a nominee. The op-ed suggests that Democrats should consider replacing Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris due to declining polling numbers and increasing concerns about their electability.

• Notable Quote: Cruz emphasizes the media's role, stating, “The Washington Post is throwing that marker out there” (02:13), indicating that mainstream media outlets are now openly discussing the potential need for Biden's replacement.

• Biden’s Credibility Issues: Cruz criticizes Biden's pattern of making false statements, citing examples such as Biden falsely claiming to have been at Ground Zero after 9/11 (04:23).

3. Polling Numbers and Kamala Harris's Approval Ratings

The conversation shifts to the troubling polling numbers for both Biden and Harris:

• Joe Biden: With approval ratings around 38-39%, comparable to former President Jimmy Carter, concerns about his ability to lead effectively are mounting.

• Kamala Harris: Harris faces even lower approval ratings, in the low 20s, making her position as Vice President precarious. Cruz notes, “Her poll numbers are worse than Joe Biden's” (08:45), highlighting the Democrats' fear of her potential negative impact on the ticket.

4. Possible Replacement Candidates for the Democratic Nomination

Cruz outlines potential candidates who might step in if Biden is ousted:

• Top Contenders: Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, and Elizabeth Warren are mentioned as frontrunners. Cruz particularly favors Elizabeth Warren, describing her as “the ID of today's Democrat Party” and “the hard left, angry Marxist” (12:38).

• Elizabeth Warren’s Advantage: Warren is seen as the leader of the progressive wing, which currently drives the Democratic policy agenda. Cruz predicts she could win the primary due to her alignment with the party's core values (13:02).

5. The Michelle Obama Parachute Scenario

A particularly alarming scenario is discussed where the Democratic Party might parachute Michelle Obama into the nomination process:

• Unified Candidate Choice: Cruz suggests that Michelle Obama could be selected to avoid internal conflicts among existing candidates. He posits, “Michelle Obama has the ability to parachute in above all four and say, hey, we're not picking among any of you” (18:36).

• Political Implications: Selecting Obama could unify the party by leveraging her widespread appeal and high approval ratings, though Cruz questions her willingness to run: “I don't know if she would do it” (18:48).

6. RFK Jr. Denied Secret Service Protection

The episode addresses a security incident involving Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), highlighting concerns over his safety and the administration's response:

• Security Breach: An individual impersonated law enforcement and attempted to approach RFK Jr. with loaded firearms but was stopped by private security. RFK Jr. publicly criticized the Biden administration for denying him Secret Service protection, despite his high-profile candidacy and family history of political assassinations (26:25).

• Cruz’s Commentary: Cruz argues that RFK Jr. unequivocally deserves Secret Service protection given his background, stating, “RFK Jr. deserves it. And the reason I believe the Biden administration hasn't granted it is because if they did, it legitimizes him” (33:58).

7. Allegations of Election Interference Against Donald Trump

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its actions against former President Donald Trump, suggesting these are tactics to interfere with the election:

• Multiple Indictments: Cruz points out that Trump has faced four indictments in six months, a historic occurrence, and accuses the DOJ of politicizing legal processes to undermine Trump's candidacy (38:24).

• Gag Order Proposal: The DOJ, under Attorney Jack Smith, has sought a gag order to prevent Trump from criticizing his opponent, Mike Pence. Cruz vehemently opposes this, labeling it as a direct violation of the First Amendment and democratic principles (42:22).

• Potential Consequences: Such legal maneuvers could lead to unprecedented scenarios where Trump might be silenced during debates or public appearances, effectively hindering his campaign efforts (44:00).

Key Takeaways

1. Internal Democratic Struggles: The Democratic Party is experiencing significant internal conflict regarding Joe Biden’s candidacy, driven by concerns over his age, health, and low approval ratings.

2. Media Influence: Mainstream media outlets are increasingly critical of Biden, reflecting and possibly amplifying the party’s internal doubts about his viability.

3. Potential Nominee Shifts: Candidates like Elizabeth Warren are poised to take center stage if Biden steps aside, with discussions even considering high-profile figures like Michelle Obama to unify the party.

4. Security Concerns for RFK Jr.: The denial of Secret Service protection for RFK Jr. raises serious questions about the administration’s commitment to candidate safety, especially given his family’s tragic political history.

5. Election Interference Allegations: The DOJ’s aggressive legal actions against Donald Trump are viewed by Cruz and Shapiro as blatant attempts to disrupt the electoral process and suppress his campaign.

Notable Quotes

• Ted Cruz (00:24): “The odds that Joe Biden is not the Democrats nominee in 2024 have risen significantly, maybe by as much as 20 or 30%.”

• Ted Cruz (02:13): “The Washington Post is throwing that marker out there.”

• Ted Cruz (12:38): “Elizabeth Warren is the ID of today's Democrat Party. She is the hard left, angry Marxist.”

• Ted Cruz (18:36): “Michelle Obama, number one, you don't infuriate African American women, which is a critical part of the constituency that Democrats are relying on to win.”

• Ted Cruz (38:24): “The Department of Justice under Biden is the most partisan and political we've ever seen.”

• Ted Cruz (42:22): “Donald Trump cannot restrain himself. They would arrest him.”

Conclusion

This episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson provides a critical examination of the current dynamics within the Democratic Party, media influence on political narratives, and the contentious legal battles surrounding Donald Trump. Ted Cruz and Ben Shapiro offer a perspective that underscores the fragility of Biden’s nomination and the lengths to which opposing factions may go to influence the upcoming elections. The discussions emphasize the importance of transparency, fairness in political processes, and the protection of candidates’ rights to ensure a robust democratic system.

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