Summary of "Exclusive Preview: Welcome to The Cloakroom"
The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Release Date: February 16, 2022

Introduction to The Cloakroom Series

In the premiere episode titled "Exclusive Preview: Welcome to The Cloakroom," host Liz Wheeler introduces a new series in collaboration with Senator Ted Cruz on Verdict.co. The series, aptly named "The Cloakroom," offers subscribers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the intricacies of the U.S. Senate, mirroring the actual Senate cloakroom's role as a space for off-the-record conversations and strategic discussions.

Understanding the Senate Cloakroom

Liz Wheeler and Senator Ted Cruz delve into the functionalities of the Senate cloakroom, highlighting its importance as a relaxed environment where senators can engage in casual interactions, share jokes, discuss sports, and conduct private conversations away from the public eye. Cruz provides a vivid description:

Ted Cruz [01:32]: “There are a bunch of couches. There are leather chairs like this. There's still a bunch of ashtrays from back in the days when they did.”

He emphasizes that the cloakroom serves as a vital hub for senators to unwind and strategize without the pressures of being on the Senate floor.

Cancel Culture and Public Apologies

The conversation shifts to the pervasive issue of cancel culture, using the incident involving Whoopi Goldberg's controversial remarks about the Holocaust as a case study. Liz Wheeler raises a critical question about the appropriate response to public figures who make egregious mistakes:

Liz Wheeler [05:23]: “Given the cancel culture that's become pervasive in our nation, when should we accept the apologies of people in the public eye who make really nasty comments...”

Senator Cruz responds by advocating for a more forgiving approach, stressing the importance of allowing individuals to correct their mistakes:

Ted Cruz [05:23]: “Is the left. Are there too many anti Semites among the hard left... I don't think we ought to be silencing people for stumbling over what they say or saying something stupid.”

He underscores the gravity of the Holocaust while supporting the idea that public figures should be allowed to apologize and learn from their errors.

Foreign Policy Philosophy

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting Senator Cruz's foreign policy philosophy, which he describes as a "non-interventionist hawk." This philosophy positions itself as a middle ground between the traditional interventionist and isolationist approaches within the Republican Party.

• Non-Interventionist Hawk Defined

  Cruz elaborates his stance, emphasizing the protection of the United States' vital national security interests while maintaining a reluctance to engage in unnecessary military conflicts:

  Ted Cruz [09:19]: “The central touchstone for all US Military involvement and for foreign policy should be protecting the vital national security interest of the United States.”

• Application to Syria and Iran

  Using historical examples, Cruz critiques past administrations' foreign policies. He recounts his opposition to President Obama's intervention in Syria, citing the lack of a coherent strategy to prevent chemical weapons from falling into extremist hands:

  Ted Cruz [11:17]: “I opposed military intervention in Syria because I said, it's not protecting America. It's not protecting our lives.”

  Regarding Iran, Cruz identifies the threat of a nuclear-armed Ayatollah Khamenei as an existential danger, advocating for decisive actions to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities:

  Ted Cruz [14:59]: “If Iran is on the verge of getting a nuclear weapon, we should do whatever it takes to stop it, including military force.”

• Application to Ukraine

  Addressing the contemporary issue of Russia's troop buildup on Ukraine's border, Cruz firmly states his stance against deploying U.S. military forces:

  Ted Cruz [15:45]: “Under no circumstances should we send the US Military to fight Russia and Ukraine. I don't think that's our job to go fight Russia.”

  Instead, he supports providing Ukraine with lethal weaponry and implementing targeted sanctions, emphasizing economic measures over military intervention.

• Critique of Biden's Foreign Policy

  Cruz criticizes President Biden's approach as one of weakness and appeasement, arguing that it emboldens adversarial nations like Russia, China, and Iran:

  Ted Cruz [19:02]: “Biden's foreign policy is weakness. ... weakness invites conflict.”

  He contrasts this with the perceived strength of former President Trump, attributing stability to Trump's robust stance against adversaries.

Tom Brady Retirement and Controversy

Shifting gears, Liz Wheeler poses a lighter yet intriguing topic—Tom Brady's retirement and the subsequent backlash over his public statements. Brady's initial retirement announcement thanked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his current teammates but notably omitted the New England Patriots and their fans. This omission led to speculation about possible underlying tensions. Senator Cruz weighs in, defending Brady's legacy while acknowledging the potential for perceived discontent:

Ted Cruz [23:07]: “I don't believe he was dissing his fans. ... I would be astonished if Brady had anything but respect and adoration for the fans who loved him.”

Cruz praises Brady's career moves and his ability to succeed with a new team, contrasting him with other athletes who have faced backlash for similar transitions.

Mailbag: Unifying Republicans for Elections

In the final segment, Cruz addresses a listener's question regarding the unification of Republicans for the 2022 and 2024 elections. He projects confidence in the party's prospects, predicting significant victories in both the House and Senate. However, he warns of potential internal conflicts, particularly between supporters of former President Trump and other Senate Republicans:

Ted Cruz [26:26]: “The one danger that could screw it up is a civil war between Trump and Senate Republicans. ... we need some restraint on both sides.”

Cruz advocates for Republicans to adhere to their promises and maintain discipline to ensure electoral success, emphasizing the importance of unity and consistent policy execution.

Notable Quotes

• Ted Cruz on Non-Interventionist Hawk Philosophy [09:19]: “The central touchstone for all US Military involvement and for foreign policy should be protecting the vital national security interest of the United States.”

• Ted Cruz on Biden's Foreign Policy Weakness [19:02]: “Biden's foreign policy is weakness. ... weakness invites conflict.”

• Ted Cruz on Unifying Republicans [26:26]: “The one danger that could screw it up is a civil war between Trump and Senate Republicans. ... we need some restraint on both sides.”

Conclusion

The episode serves as a robust introduction to "The Cloakroom" series, setting the stage for in-depth political discussions and strategic insights directly from Senator Ted Cruz. Covering a range of topics from the nuances of Senate operations to complex foreign policy debates, the conversation offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the issues shaping American politics today.