Summary of "Live at the RNC" Episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Release Date: August 29, 2020

In this compelling live episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, host Ben Ferguson sits down with Senator Ted Cruz to dissect the recent Republican National Convention (RNC), the contrasting political climates of the two major parties, and pressing issues shaping America ahead of the November elections. The conversation delves into topics ranging from natural disasters and government accountability to media bias and election integrity, providing listeners with in-depth analysis and exclusive insights.

1. Post-RNC Reflections and Party Contrasts

The episode kicks off with a reflection on the recently concluded RNC. Michael Knowles, the co-host, remarks on the noticeable display of patriotism at the convention, saying, "it is really refreshing to see American flags that are not on fire after the past several weeks and months. Nice to see a little bit of patriotism" (00:00). This sets the stage for a broader discussion on the stark contrasts between the Republican and Democratic parties as the nation heads into the crucial November elections.

Ted Cruz emphasizes the disciplined unity within the Republican Party compared to the internal disagreements plague Democrats. He notes, "the Democrats, they have a message discipline to them... Republicans, we can barely agree on what time of day it is" (09:14). This observation underscores the challenges Republicans face in maintaining cohesion amidst diverse viewpoints.

2. Navigating Natural Disasters: Cruz's Texas Hurricane Response

Transitioning from political conventions, the conversation shifts to a pressing natural disaster—a hurricane that impacted Texas and Louisiana. Michael Knowles commends Cruz's decision to prioritize disaster response over attending the White House acceptance speech: "we forgot that a natural disaster can strike and kind of puts everything on pause. So you certainly did the right thing by going down, surveying the damage" (03:12).

Ted Cruz recounts his rapid response, detailing how he flew to East Texas to assess the damage and work with local officials: "we made the decision that I needed to go and survey the damage and meet with the local officials" (01:16). He reflects on the relief that Texas sustained less damage compared to Louisiana, drawing from his past experiences with hurricanes like Harvey: "I think everyone was grateful that this was not nearly as bad as it could have been" (02:30).

3. Origins and Philosophy of Verdict Podcast

The episode touches on the inception of the Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast. Discussing the show's mission, Cruz explains, "we're gonna have conservative voices and liberal voices. So on our op ed pages, they're gonna battle it out and you're gonna get to listen to both" (42:57). This highlights the podcast's commitment to fostering a balanced dialogue, contrasting with what Cruz perceives as mainstream media biases.

4. Government Accountability and the "Deep State"

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the concept of the "deep state" and administrative overreach. Michael Knowles raises concerns about bureaucrats and federal judges being unaccountable: "they're not accountable. You can't call your senator, you can't call your congressman." (08:48).

Ted Cruz elaborates on this issue, stating, "It's one of the great virtues of our Constitution is accountability... it empowers the people." (09:36). He advocates for increasing decision-making at elected levels to enhance governmental accountability and reduce the influence of an unaccountable administrative apparatus.

5. The Hatch Act and Political Engagement

Addressing questions from listeners, the discussion delves into the Hatch Act, which restricts political activities of federal employees. Cruz explains, "the Hatch act bars them from engaging in politics because the idea behind it is they don't want to politicize our government." (10:15). He further explores its implications by referencing the President's acceptance speech and the debate over its compliance with the Act.

6. Strategies for Aspiring Political Candidates

When prompted by a listener's question about campaign strategies, Ted Cruz advises future candidates to "get involved in an issue you care about and fight for it. Rather than just run for office and have all these ideas, go fight for something that matters and build a record." (12:23). This emphasizes the importance of grassroots involvement and establishing a proven track record in specific causes to resonate with voters.

7. Democrats' Stance on Antifa and Political Violence

A heated segment of the podcast addresses why the Democratic Party has been hesitant to denounce Antifa and associated rioters. Cruz criticizes Democratic senators for their lack of condemnation during hearings on Antifa violence: "not a one of them was willing to denounce Antifa." (12:52). He attributes this reluctance to a combination of fear, identity politics, and a lasting glorification of past protest movements, arguing that Democrats are too aligned with collectives rather than individual accountability.

8. Media Bias and Fact-Checking Practices

The conversation turns critical of mainstream media outlets like CNN, which Cruz accuses of partisan fact-checking during the President's speech: "they put up what I would call tendentious fact checks... who in the hell do they think they are?" (36:30). He highlights instances where CNN's fact-checks contradicted themselves, undermining their credibility.

Michael Knowles adds, "the fact check, which is very rarely factual. It's always just based in political opinion." (40:12), emphasizing the perceived bias in media reporting and the challenges it poses for objective journalism.

9. Election Integrity and Potential Constitutional Crises

A critical discussion unfolds around the 2020 election's integrity, especially concerning mail-in ballots and potential delays in results. When asked about the ramifications of delayed election results, Ted Cruz warns of legal uncertainties: "if it's at all close, there's a very good chance we don't know the answer." (46:22).

He outlines a scenario where, if no clear winner is determined by January 20th, the decision could fall to Congress, highlighting the complexities and possible partisan battles that could ensue: "if Congress hasn't exercised its authority to select the president, select the Vice president, we will be doing verdict live every night, just as we did in impeachment." (49:36).

10. The Future of the Democratic Party and Leftist Takeover

Addressing concerns about the Democratic Party's direction, Cruz asserts that the party is undergoing a leftist takeover with figures like AOC (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) leading the charge: "the Democratic Party... is being ceded to Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and AOC." (54:21). He forecasts that if Democrats win, their agenda will become increasingly radical, posing significant challenges to conventional governance and societal norms.

Conversely, if Republicans win, Cruz anticipates a possible reckoning within the Democratic Party, wherein more moderate voices might emerge to counterbalance the radical elements: "If Trump is reelected, I think Democrats will lose their mind even more than they have now." (56:58).

11. Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action

The episode wraps up with Ben Ferguson encouraging listeners to subscribe and engage with the podcast across various platforms, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and participating in the political dialogue. Ted Cruz expresses gratitude for the opportunity to discuss these critical issues, reinforcing the podcast's role in providing unfiltered and honest commentary.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Knowles (00:00): "it is really refreshing to see American flags that are not on fire after the past several weeks and months. Nice to see a little bit of patriotism."

• Ted Cruz (01:16): "we made the decision that I needed to go and survey the damage and meet with the local officials."

• Ted Cruz (09:14): "the Democrats, they have a message discipline to them... Republicans, we can barely agree on what time of day it is."

• Michael Knowles (12:23): "what are your best campaign suggestions?"

• Ted Cruz (12:52): "Not a one of them was willing to denounce Antifa."

• Ted Cruz (36:30): "they put up what I would call tendentious fact checks... who in the hell do they think they are?"

• Ted Cruz (46:22): "if it's at all close, there's a very good chance we don't know the answer."

• Ted Cruz (54:21): "the Democratic Party... is being ceded to Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and AOC."

This episode of The 47 Morning Update offers a thorough examination of the current political landscape, underscored by Ted Cruz's authoritative perspectives. Listeners gain valuable insights into the inner workings of both political parties, the challenges posed by media bias, and the potential ramifications of the upcoming elections.

Note: All timestamps refer to the episode's timeline for reference.