Podcast Summary: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Episode: Election Day Eve: Where Things Stand & What the Stakes Are for America
Release Date: November 4, 2024
Host/Author: Premiere Networks
Duration: Approx. 34 minutes
Introduction
In this pivotal episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson engages in a comprehensive discussion with Senator Ted Cruz on the eve of the 2024 presidential election. The conversation delves into the critical stakes of the election, the current polling landscape, concerns about election integrity, key issues mobilizing voters, and the anticipated first hundred days under either a Trump or Harris administration.
1. The High Stakes of the 2024 Election
Timestamp: [00:24] – [07:01]
Ben Ferguson (B):
- Emphasizes the unprecedented closeness of the election, highlighting a 60% confidence in a Trump victory versus a 40% chance for Kamala Harris.
“I think there's a 40% chance Kamala Harris is president. That is terrifying because the stakes for this country, I've never seen an election remotely this close.”
[03:52]
Senator Ted Cruz (A):
- Outlines the immediate actions each candidate would take regarding immigration:
- Trump: Plans to secure the border by ending catch and release, projecting a swift reduction in illegal immigration.
“Trump will end catch and release on January 20th, and we will see the numbers plummet.”
[03:52] - Harris: Warns of a surge in illegal immigration, potentially doubling the numbers, exacerbating national security and economic issues.
“If Kamala is president for another four years, 11 and a half will become 25 or 30 million.”
[06:18]
- Trump: Plans to secure the border by ending catch and release, projecting a swift reduction in illegal immigration.
2. Current Polling and Swing States Analysis
Timestamp: [08:24] – [29:45]
Senator Ted Cruz:
- Provides an in-depth analysis of swing states, emphasizing the importance of Pennsylvania, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, and Georgia.
- Highlights the fluctuating polls, with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin being razor-thin battlegrounds.
“Pennsylvania is really Close. ... Trump is up at 48.3 and Kamala Harris at 48.0.”
[23:01] - Predicts Texas will likely report results swiftly due to stringent voter integrity laws, contrasting with delayed and contested counts in traditionally blue cities.
“In red states, it's not impossible, but it's harder [to cheat].”
[09:04]
3. Election Fairness and Voter Integrity Concerns
Timestamp: [08:24] – [12:46]
Senator Ted Cruz:
- Expresses skepticism about the fairness of elections, citing Democratic incompetence and malfeasance as factors leading to potential vote-counting delays.
“Democrats running them, they want to delay it. And will there be voter fraud on election day? Yes.”
[09:04] - Discusses the impact of voter fraud historically, noting it typically affects margins rather than outcomes.
“Historically, voter fraud only matters at the margin. We just need to win by a big enough margin.”
[09:04] - Emphasizes the importance of voter turnout to ensure election integrity.
“We just need to make sure people turn out in big enough numbers that the election cannot be stolen.”
[11:20]
4. Key Issues Driving Voter Turnout
Timestamp: [12:46] – [18:51]
Senator Ted Cruz:
- Identifies illegal immigration and the economy (specifically inflation) as the top issues mobilizing voters, each garnering around 30% concern.
“Almost every public opinion poll that is done, the top two issues are either illegal immigration slash border security, or economy, slash inflation.”
[13:09] - Links energy policy to economic conditions, explaining how ending regulations on oil and gas could reduce inflation by lowering energy costs across multiple sectors.
“Trump will end that assault on energy that is going to result in significantly increasing American oil production, natural gas production that is going to result in driving down costs.”
[16:34]
5. First Hundred Days: Trump vs. Harris Administration
Timestamp: [18:51] – [32:29]
Senator Ted Cruz:
-
Under a Trump Administration:
- Immigration: Securing the border and drastically reducing illegal immigration.
“Trump will secure the border. Kamala will open the borders even more on energy.”
[18:51] - Economy: Repealing job-killing regulations, stimulating economic growth, and reducing inflation by boosting energy production.
“We will see significantly increasing American oil production, natural gas production that is going to result in driving down costs...”
[16:34] - Taxes: Extending the 2017 tax cuts, proposing no tax on tips and Social Security benefits, benefiting seniors and working Americans.
“Senator, my legislation already has bipartisan, partisan support. I think we'll pass it into law.”
[23:01] - Foreign Policy: Ending U.S. involvement in the Ukraine war, enforcing oil sanctions on Iran, and strengthening support for Israel.
“If Trump wins, we see the oil sanctions on Iran being enforced again, and their money suddenly plummets.”
[23:01]
- Immigration: Securing the border and drastically reducing illegal immigration.
-
Under a Harris Administration:
- Immigration: Anticipates a significant increase in illegal immigration, straining national security and public safety.
“If Kamala is president for another four years, 11 and a half will become 25 or 30 million.”
[06:18] - Economy: Continuation of the war on energy, exacerbating inflation through higher energy costs.
“We will see more of the same... assault on American energy will only get worse.”
[16:34] - Taxes: Potential for massive tax increases or letting tax cuts expire, impacting economic stability.
“The Wall Street Journal calls this a $6 trillion election. That's the delta of how much your taxes are going up versus how much they're going down.”
[23:01] - Foreign Policy: Prolonging conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, increased funding to Iran, and undermining U.S. allies.
“If she wins, the hundred billion dollars that has gone to Iran becomes 200 billion or more.”
[23:01]
- Immigration: Anticipates a significant increase in illegal immigration, straining national security and public safety.
6. Closing Arguments and Call to Action
Timestamp: [32:29] – [36:06]
Senator Ted Cruz:
- Urges listeners to evaluate their current state against the potential future under Harris, emphasizing the dire consequences of her presidency versus the prosperity experienced under Trump.
“On the merits, we ought to be winning 65, 35 everywhere, but we're not.”
[23:01] - Encourages active participation in voting and motivating others to vote, stressing that even a small increase in voter turnout could alter the election outcome.
“Spend your time Monday and Tuesday getting people to show up and vote on election day so that when we're sitting there Tuesday night, we are celebrating and we're not horrified and weeping for our country.”
[32:29] - Concludes with a heartfelt plea to listeners to protect the Constitution, defend freedom, and ensure America's prosperity and security remain intact.
“Our country is hanging by a thread. ... Do not let the 40 come to pass.”
[32:29]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Senator Ted Cruz:
“We are seeing violent, criminal, illegal aliens being released every day. They are murdering Americans. They are raping women. They are raping and murdering children.”
[32:29]“If Trump wins, we will see a lot of things happen starting on January 20th.”
[03:52]“Kamala Harris is president for another four years... that is terrifying because the stakes for this country, I've never seen an election remotely this close.”
[03:52] -
Ben Ferguson:
“Let me tell you real quick though, about something really important, and it involves your family being able to protect and defend yourself with a firearm.”
[00:59]
(Note: This segment includes promotional content and is excluded from summary content.)
Conclusion
This episode of The 47 Morning Update provides a critical analysis of the upcoming election's high stakes, emphasizing the contrasting visions of a Trump versus Harris administration. Senator Ted Cruz articulates significant concerns regarding immigration, the economy, election integrity, and foreign policy, urging listeners to actively participate in securing America's future through informed voting. The detailed examination of swing states and the call to action underscore the importance of every vote in determining the nation's trajectory.
Disclaimer: This summary excludes promotional and advertisement segments to focus on the substantive content of the discussion.