The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Episode: GOP Gaining Midterm Momentum, Sen. Cruz Does A Deep Dive Into All The Major Races You Need To Watch!
Release Date: October 31, 2022
Host: Ben Ferguson
Guest: Senator Ted Cruz
1. Introduction
As the midterm elections approach, Ben Ferguson welcomes Senator Ted Cruz to discuss the evolving political landscape and the critical Senate and House races that could determine the balance of power in Washington. The conversation delves into Democratic Party strategies, media biases, and strategic insights into key battleground states.
2. Media Bias and Democratic Lies
Crucial Insights:
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Media Partisanship: Senator Cruz criticizes mainstream media for perpetuating Democratic narratives and misinformation, particularly highlighting an exchange on "The View" where Chelsea Clinton questioned his legitimacy as President (00:51).
Notable Quote:
"They are not used to anyone challenging them. They are not used to anyone presenting, representing anything other than the hard left, partisan propaganda."
— Ted Cruz [00:51] -
Double Standards: Cruz points out the hypocrisy in how Republicans' concerns about election legitimacy are dismissed while similar narratives are amplified when Democrats make unfounded claims.
Notable Quote:
"They have a deliberate strategy of saying things that are just flat out false because the propagandists of the media will amplify it."
— Ted Cruz [03:16] -
Impact on Voter Perception: The host and Cruz emphasize the importance of sharing videos that expose Democratic misinformation to inform voters accurately (03:16).
3. Midterm Election Analysis
Senator Cruz provides a comprehensive breakdown of the midterm races, categorizing them into pickup opportunities, defensive seats, and wild card races.
a. Pickup Opportunities
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Nevada
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Candidate: Adam Laxalt vs. Catherine Cortez Masto
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Analysis: Laxalt is viewed as a disciplined candidate who can unify various Republican factions. Cortez Masto's alignment with Biden makes her vulnerable.
Notable Quote:
"Cortez Masto is vulnerable. She votes with Joe Biden almost 100% of the time."
— Ted Cruz [11:56]
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Georgia
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Candidate: Herschel Walker vs. Raphael Warnock
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Analysis: Walker's increasing campaign momentum and Warnock's policy extremism position this race as a top pickup opportunity.
Notable Quote:
"I think Walker wins. The question is going to be, does Walker break 50%?"
— Ted Cruz [14:34]
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Arizona
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Candidate: Blake Masters vs. Mark Kelly
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Analysis: Masters has regained momentum despite financial challenges, aided by strong gubernatorial support.
Notable Quote:
"Blake Masters, he went through a really rough primary... the recent polling shows the race effectively tied."
— Ted Cruz [16:01]
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New Hampshire
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Candidate: General Don Baldock vs. Maggie Hassan
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Analysis: Despite budget constraints, Baldock's disciplined campaign could sway voters dissatisfied with Hassan.
Notable Quote:
"Baldock could be one of the real surprises on election night."
— Ted Cruz [19:42]
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Colorado
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Candidate: Joe O'Day vs. Michael Bennet
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Analysis: O'Day's missteps could cost the Republican seat, though disciplined candidates like Cory Gardner create opportunities.
Notable Quote:
"It's gotten messier. I'm less optimistic on Colorado now than I was two weeks ago."
— Ted Cruz [25:44]
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Washington State
- Candidate: (Details not extensively covered in transcript)
b. Defensive Races
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Wisconsin
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Candidate: Ron Johnson vs. Mandela Barnes
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Analysis: Johnson’s strong conservative stance should hold despite Wisconsin's purple status.
Notable Quote:
"Ron will hold that seat. It's still seriously contested, but I think we'll hold onto that."
— Ted Cruz [27:20]
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Pennsylvania
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Candidate: Dr. Oz vs. John Fetterman
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Analysis: Fetterman's poor debate performance has shifted the race in favor of Oz.
Notable Quote:
"The debate is unbelievably damaging... Oz is likely to win now."
— Ted Cruz [31:06]
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North Carolina
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Candidate: Ted Budd vs. (Democratic Opponent)
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Analysis: Budd remains a strong candidate but must remain vigilant in this purple state.
Notable Quote:
"North Carolina is historically a dangerous state and so I think we'll win, but we need to take it seriously."
— Ted Cruz [39:30]
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Ohio
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Candidate: J.D. Vance vs. (Democratic Opponent)
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Analysis: Vance’s disciplined campaign and gubernatorial support position him well.
Notable Quote:
"J.D. is doing a good job on the stump. Polling shows him up about four or five points."
— Ted Cruz [40:00]
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Missouri
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Candidate: Eric Schmidt vs. Democrat Challenger
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Analysis: Schmidt’s disciplined approach ensures his victory in this red state.
Notable Quote:
"Missouri is a red state, and Eric is a good candidate. He's going to win that race."
— Ted Cruz [43:16]
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Florida
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Candidate: Marco Rubio vs. Val Demings
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Analysis: Rubio’s disciplined campaign against a strong Democratic opponent positions him favorably.
Notable Quote:
"Marco's a smart, disciplined candidate. DeSantis has done a really good job as governor."
— Ted Cruz [43:48]
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c. Wild Card Races
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Alaska
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Candidate: Lisa Murkowski vs. Kelly Chewbacca vs. Democrat
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Analysis: Ranked choice voting creates uncertainty, with both Republican candidates split and the potential for a Democratic win.
Notable Quote:
"There is a danger we lose this seat and elect the Democrat."
— Ted Cruz [46:33]
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Utah
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Candidate: Mike Lee vs. Evan McMullen (Democrat-run Independent)
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Analysis: McMullen’s deceptive campaign as an independent supported by Democrats poses a risk, though Mike Lee remains the favorite.
Notable Quote:
"Democrats love to play games with democracy because they don't actually care about democracy. They care about power."
— Ted Cruz [51:16]
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4. Implications of Ranked Choice Voting
Senator Cruz highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls of ranked choice voting in Alaska and Utah, emphasizing how it could inadvertently benefit Democratic candidates due to intra-party Republican conflicts.
Notable Quote:
"I don't want us to screw that up."
— Ted Cruz [48:04]
He explains scenarios where Democratic candidates could win due to Republican vote splitting and the reallocation of second-choice votes, urging Republicans to approach these races strategically.
5. Democratic Legislative Lies Montage
The episode features a montage of Democratic leaders making misleading or false statements on various issues, underscoring Cruz's argument about widespread misinformation.
Highlighted Lies:
- COVID-19 Vaccines: Claims that vaccines prevent COVID-19 transmission.
- Border Security: Assertions that the border is secure and closed.
- Economic Policies: Promises that the Build Back Better plan will not add to the deficit and will reduce inflation.
- Recession Claims: Denials of impending recessions despite economic indicators.
Notable Highlight:
Joe Biden: "Let me say that again, be crystal clear. No one making less than $400,000 a year will pay a single additional penny in tax..." [56:00]
6. Final Thoughts and Call to Action
Senator Cruz concludes by reinforcing the necessity for Republicans to stay disciplined, address media biases, and strategically support candidates who align with conservative values. He promotes his book, "Justice How the Left Has Weaponized the Legal System," as a resource for understanding the political challenges facing the GOP.
Notable Quote:
"This book is really a toolkit to prepare you to help pull the country back from the brink."
— Ted Cruz [57:52]
Ben Ferguson urges listeners to subscribe, share the podcast, and engage with conservative content to counteract Democratic misinformation and secure Republican victories in the upcoming midterms.
Stay Informed, Stay Ahead, and Join Ben on The 47 Morning Update!