Podcast Summary: "Holy Crap, What a Week"
Podcast Information:
- Title: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
- Host/Author: Premiere Networks
- Episode: Holy Crap, What a Week
- Release Date: November 12, 2020
Overview: In the episode titled "Holy Crap, What a Week," hosted by Ben Ferguson, the discussion centers around the tumultuous week following the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. The conversation delves into the intricacies of the election process, media influence, voter fraud allegations, and the potential legal ramifications that could shape the nation's future. The episode features a detailed dialogue between Michael Knowles and Senator Ted Cruz, a prominent Republican figure, who provides his expert insights into the election's aftermath.
1. Media Influence and Election Outcome
Key Discussion Points:
- Media's Role: The media prematurely declared Joe Biden the winner, sparking debates about their influence versus the constitutional process.
- Voter Decision: Emphasis on the voters' role in determining the president, not the media.
Notable Quotes:
- Michael Knowles [00:00]: "The media have declared Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 presidential election. But under our constitutional system, it turns out that the media don't actually get to pick who the President is."
- Ted Cruz [00:45]: "There’s never been a week like this in politics, in media, in life. And the consequences for the nation are enormous."
2. Election Night Chaos and Legal Challenges
Key Discussion Points:
- Delayed Results: Uncertainty around key states like Arizona, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan due to late vote counts and sudden shifts.
- Legal Proceedings: Multiple lawsuits and potential recounts could delay the final outcome by several weeks.
- Media Missteps: Criticism of Fox News and AP for prematurely declaring Arizona for Biden, undermining trust.
Notable Quotes:
- Michael Knowles [01:31]: "You had a lot of votes come in really late in Pennsylvania, in Wisconsin, in Michigan, you had the polls counting, stopping just at 10:00 at night."
- Ted Cruz [02:44]: "The media, two outlets, Fox News and AP, were really precipitous calling Arizona. That was clearly a mistake."
3. Historical Precedents and Voter Fraud Allegations
Key Discussion Points:
- Bush v. Gore Comparisons: Cruz references the 2000 election recount in Florida, highlighting the complexities and legal battles involved.
- Voter Fraud Claims: Discussion on past instances of voter fraud and the importance of legal systems in addressing these claims.
- Philadelphia Incident: Details on Republican poll watchers being turned away and subsequent legal orders enforcing their presence.
Notable Quotes:
- Ted Cruz [07:36]: "Votes are significantly less likely to be deemed illegal. It's harder to cheat those votes."
- Michael Knowles [07:36]: "You know which claims are accurate and which aren't. That's why we have a legal system."
4. Current Election Landscape and State-by-State Analysis
Key Discussion Points:
- Electoral College Breakdown: Biden currently leads with 279 electoral votes, requiring 270 to win. Key states like Georgia and Arizona remain undecided.
- Margin of Leads: Biden has substantial leads in states already called, making it challenging for Trump to reclaim necessary votes.
- Potential Recounts Impact: Analysis of how recounts, especially in mail-in votes predominantly favoring Biden, could influence the final tally.
Notable Quotes:
- Ted Cruz [14:57]: "Biden has a 148,000 vote lead in Michigan. That's a big lead."
- Michael Knowles [16:33]: "If Biden actually gets elected, that is. What's the deal here?"
5. Specific Incidents Highlighting Election Integrity Concerns
Key Discussion Points:
- Michigan Software Glitch: Acknowledgment of a reported glitch shifting 6,000 votes from Trump to Biden, raising questions about the software's integrity.
- Legal Team Efforts: Urging the President and his team to bolster their legal strategies to address and prove allegations of fraud.
- Importance of Judicial Process: Emphasis on allowing courts to objectively evaluate evidence and make determinations.
Notable Quotes:
- Ted Cruz [17:37]: "If someone goes into a bank and shuts off all the security cameras, what is the natural inference that leads?"
- Michael Knowles [20:41]: "Could you just take us through a little bit of what happened?"
6. Cross-Examination of Andrew McCabe and FBI Accountability
Key Discussion Points:
- Andrew McCabe's Testimony: Cruz's intense questioning of McCabe regarding alleged authorizations to leak information, challenging the consistency of testimonies between McCabe and James Comey.
- Logan Act Reference: Discussion on whether Biden's alleged conversations with foreign leaders violate the Logan Act, with Cruz dismissing the possibility.
- Call for Transparency: Demanding the FBI release relevant records to verify the truthfulness of the conflicting testimonies.
Notable Quotes:
- Ted Cruz [21:16]: "Joe Biden is not violating the Logan Act. The reason you won't say it is because that was your flimsy political basis to go after General Flynn as part of a political persecution."
- Michael Knowles [25:10]: "We hope to see the release of this kind of material, and we hope that these people are held to account."
7. Executive Orders and Future Presidential Actions
Key Discussion Points:
- Reversing Executive Orders: Biden's potential to overturn Trump's executive orders, balancing legal challenges and constitutional limits.
- Supreme Court's Role: Analysis of past Supreme Court decisions affecting executive orders and the unpredictability of future rulings under different administrations.
- Policy Implications: Possible reinstatements of agreements like the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran Nuclear Deal under a Biden presidency.
Notable Quotes:
- Ted Cruz [26:13]: "A president can issue an executive order, the next president can rescind the executive order, and the power to do so is unlimited."
- Michael Knowles [28:45]: "If Biden is president, he will reenter the Paris climate agreement."
8. Light-Hearted Segment: Future Plans and Personal Anecdotes
Key Discussion Points:
- Beard Discussion: A brief, humorous exchange about Senator Cruz's iconic beard and its potential role in future political aspirations.
- Personal Remarks: Mutual compliments between Cruz and Knowles, adding a personable touch to the intense political discourse.
Notable Quotes:
- Tommy [29:38]: "If Senator Cruz ever seeks higher office, will he keep the beard?"
- Ted Cruz [29:58]: "We'll see how it shakes out. I'm having fun with it right now."
Conclusion: "Holy Crap, What a Week" provides an in-depth analysis of the chaotic week following the 2020 Presidential Election through the lens of Senator Ted Cruz. The episode underscores the complexities of the electoral process, the significant role of legal battles in determining the final outcome, and the pervasive influence of media narratives. Cruz's insights, backed by historical references and current events, offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of the unprecedented political landscape during this critical period in American history.
Note: This summary captures the essence of the episode based on the provided transcript. For a comprehensive understanding, listening to the full episode is recommended.