The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson – Episode Summary Title: Rats Fleeing the Ship: Debate Aftermath & Democrat PANIC
Release Date: July 1, 2024
Host: Ben Ferguson
Guest: Senator Ted Cruz

1. Introduction to Debate Fallout

In the episode titled "Rats Fleeing the Ship: Debate Aftermath & Democrat PANIC," host Ben Ferguson welcomes Senator Ted Cruz to discuss the significant repercussions following the recent presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. From the outset, Cruz emphasizes the debate's unprecedented impact on the political landscape.

Notable Quote:
Ben Ferguson [00:01]: "Senator. The debate fallout is continuing. You thought it was a bad night on debate night. It's gotten a lot worse for the President."

2. Senator Cruz's Analysis of the Debate

Senator Ted Cruz provides a critical assessment of President Biden's performance during the debate, asserting that it was the most consequential presidential debate in U.S. history. He commends President Trump for his calm and controlled demeanor, contrasting it sharply with Biden's perceived lack of composure.

Key Points:

• Immediate Response: After the debate, Cruz and his team released an analysis podcast that became one of the most downloaded episodes, indicating widespread interest and concern.
• Performance Comparison: Cruz praises Trump for letting Biden "talk and hang himself," highlighting moments where Biden appeared confused and struggled to articulate his points.
• Moderator Reactions: Cruz points out that moderators like Jake Tapper and Dana Bash displayed visible discomfort with Biden's performance, underscoring the severity of his portrayal.

Notable Quote:
Senator Ted Cruz [00:15]: "...most importantly, he let Joe Biden talk and hang himself, because the greatest damage that was done was when Biden was talking and his brain was short circuiting and the entire world saw that."

3. The 25th Amendment and Biden's Potential Removal

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Biden from office due to concerns about his mental fitness.

Key Points:

• Process Explanation: Cruz explains that the 25th Amendment requires the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet to declare the President unable to perform his duties. This action would immediately transfer power to the Vice President as Acting President.
• Likelihood of Invocation: While acknowledging the constitutional process, Cruz expresses skepticism about the Democrats' willingness to pursue this route unless Biden himself steps aside.
• Challenges: If Biden contests the declaration, the matter would escalate to Congress, requiring a two-thirds majority in both houses to finalize his removal, a high threshold that makes such an outcome unlikely in the short term.

Notable Quote:
Senator Ted Cruz [18:54]: "If you had a written declaration signed by Kamala Harris and a majority of the Cabinet, they would submit that written declaration... Joe Biden is no longer the President."

4. Democratic Leaders and Media Responses

The episode delves into the mixed reactions from Democratic leaders and media outlets following the debate.

Key Points:

• Barack Obama's Stance: Obama urged Democrats to "circle the wagons," emphasizing that the election remains a choice between fighting for ordinary folks versus self-serving leadership.
• David Axelrod's Position: Axelrod reaffirmed Biden's legitimacy as the Democratic nominee, dismissing earlier concerns about his age and cognitive abilities.
• Media Editorials: Major newspapers like The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and The Washington Post published editorials calling for Biden to withdraw from the race, labeling his candidacy as a "reckless gamble."
• Contrasting Voices in Leadership: Despite widespread concern, key Democratic figures like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have publicly downplayed or ignored Biden's controversial debate performance.

Notable Quote:
Barack Obama [20:00]: "Last night didn't change that, and that's why so much is at stake in November."

5. Critique of Biden's Mental Fitness

Senator Cruz does not shy away from critiquing President Biden's mental acuity, suggesting that his age and performance indicate cognitive decline.

Key Points:

• Senator Cruz's Observations: Cruz argues that Biden's inability to respond effectively during the debate is a sign of diminished mental capabilities, questioning his suitability for leadership.
• Public Perception: He highlights a montage by Jon Stewart that juxtaposes Biden's past performance with his recent debater image, using humor to underscore his concerns about Biden's cognitive state.
• Lack of Apologies from Democrats: Cruz criticizes Democrats for not addressing the alleged decline in Biden's performance, accusing them of perpetuating misinformation about his fitness for office.

Notable Quote:
Senator Ted Cruz [16:39]: "The man I saw in that debate stage, I'm not sure I'd let him drive a car, much less have his finger on the button."

6. Supreme Court's Ruling on the Chevron Doctrine

Shifting focus from the presidential debate to broader judicial impacts, Cruz discusses a pivotal Supreme Court decision that overruled the Chevron Doctrine, reshaping the balance of power between federal agencies and Congress.

Key Points:

• Understanding Chevron Deference: Previously, Chevron deference allowed courts to uphold federal agencies' interpretations of ambiguous statutes, granting significant power to unelected bureaucrats.
• Supreme Court's Decision: The Court's ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises vs. Rayonazo decisively rejected Chevron deference, emphasizing that policy decisions affecting Americans should be made by elected representatives rather than bureaucrats.
• Implications for Governance: This shift enhances democratic accountability, ensuring that agencies cannot impose regulations beyond the authority granted by Congress. Cruz underscores this as a victory for the Constitution and democracy.

Notable Quote:
Senator Ted Cruz [35:23]: "If Congress votes for an idiotic law that hurts the American people... the voters can throw the bums out."

7. Comparing Past and Present Debate Performances

To illustrate the stark contrast between Biden's current debate performance and his past, Cruz and Ferguson compare clips from a 2012 debate when Biden was Vice President against the Republican nominee for Vice President, Paul Ryan.

Key Points:

• 2012 Debate Clip: Biden appeared sharp, engaged, and effective in his exchanges with Ryan, demonstrating strong debating skills and control.
• Recent Debate Clip: In contrast, Biden's recent performance is characterized by confusion, lack of coherence, and awkward interactions, highlighting a significant decline over the past twelve years.

Notable Quote:
Senator Ted Cruz [30:43]: "That's the man I saw in that debate stage, I'm not sure I'd let him drive a car, much less have his finger on the button."

8. Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead

As the episode concludes, Ferguson and Cruz reflect on the broader implications of Biden's performance and the upcoming political maneuvers that may follow. They anticipate continued Democratic efforts to support Biden despite mounting evidence of his struggles, while Republicans may capitalize on these weaknesses to bolster their positions ahead of the election.

Notable Quote:
Senator Ted Cruz [33:00]: "It's indisputable now. And none of the Democrats care that it's a problem that the President isn't fit."

Conclusion

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, the focus is sharply on the deteriorating stance of Democrats regarding President Joe Biden's leadership capabilities, especially in light of his recent debate performance against Donald Trump. Senator Ted Cruz provides a critical lens, analyzing potential constitutional actions and highlighting significant shifts in judicial precedents that favor increased congressional authority over federal agencies. The episode underscores a growing Republican confidence in leveraging Biden's perceived weaknesses, while casting doubt on the Democratic Party's readiness to address internal challenges.

This summary encapsulates the primary discussions and viewpoints presented in the podcast episode, offering an in-depth look at the critical political discourse surrounding the aftermath of a pivotal presidential debate.