The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: Six Weeks until Election Day – What's Gonna Happen?

Release Date: September 23, 2024
Host: Ben Ferguson
Guest: Senator Ted Cruz
Podcast: Premiere Networks

Introduction and Overview

In this pivotal episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson sits down with Senator Ted Cruz to discuss the imminent 2024 election, which is now just six weeks away. The conversation centers on the critical issues that are expected to shape the electoral landscape, the current state of the presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and an in-depth analysis of the Senate races across key swing states.

Main Election Issues

1. The Economy

Senator Cruz underscores the economy as the foremost issue looming over the election. He emphasizes that inflation remains a critical concern for voters.

• Senator Ted Cruz [00:22]: "There are three issues that are front and center. Number one, the economy. And really, inflation is the most important piece of the economy."

Cruz expresses optimism that the Republican stance on economic issues will resonate with voters, anticipating a favorable outcome for the GOP in both the White House and Congress.

2. Illegal Immigration and Border Security

The chaos at the southern border and illegal immigration are highlighted as significant concerns impacting voter sentiment, particularly among suburban women.

• Senator Ted Cruz [23:06]: "Illegal immigration is often topping the list of their top issue. And listen, for many suburban women in 2020, they were not particularly fond of Trump's tone and his rhetoric. But now, as illegal immigration and crime have worsened, it has become a real, pressing issue."

Cruz points to real-world examples like Aurora, Colorado, and New York City to illustrate the tangible impacts of the current administration's border policies, predicting that these issues will heavily influence voters.

3. Crime

Crime is intertwined with the topics of the economy and illegal immigration, further solidifying its position as a top concern for voters. The discussion includes alarming statistics and firsthand accounts of how ineffective border policies have exacerbated criminal activities.

• Senator Ted Cruz [25:31]: "75% of the crimes in midtown Manhattan were being committed by illegal aliens. That is a number that I think people understandably get really upset about."

Policy Critiques

First-Time Home Buyer Program

Ben Ferguson critiques the administration's proposed $25,000 assistance for first-time homebuyers, suggesting it is both ineffective and counterproductive.

• Ben Ferguson [07:10]: "They don't mind lying, like they lied multiple times on student loans. Or is it because they're not talking about it because they've gotten caught so many times promising things like student loan forgiveness that they haven't been able to do?"

Price Controls on Food

The episode delves into the administration's attempt to implement price controls on food, labeling it a "communist idea" and discussing its potential repercussions based on historical precedents.

• Kevin O'Leary [09:26]: "Why are we hearing more of them push back on this?"

• Larry Kudlow [09:46]: "We've tried it 70s, the late 80s in the Soviet Union, Venezuela. It leads to shortages and hyperinflation. This policy is beyond bad. It's insane."

Senator Cruz agrees with these critiques, reinforcing the argument that price controls are historically ineffective and economically destructive.

• Senator Ted Cruz [13:44]: "The price controls are always wrong, and you end up having massive shortages. So if you looked at the Soviet Union, you just saw empty grocery shelves, so it was great. You had a dollar for a gallon of milk. There was just no milk."

Voter Enthusiasm and Demographics

Minority Voters

The episode touches upon Kamala Harris's struggles to galvanize minority voters, which could be detrimental to her campaign.

• Ben Ferguson [05:25]: "She doesn't have the numbers that you usually traditionally need among minority voters, either Hispanics or African Americans."

Young Voters

There is a noticeable lack of enthusiasm among younger voters (35 and under), with many choosing to stay home rather than support the Democratic ticket.

• Senator Ted Cruz [05:51]: "Young people are discovering now inflation. They're trying to pay their bills... young people are really feeling that. And so that you've got both decreased enthusiasm, but you also have the people who are feeling the pinch."

Policy Failures and Public Backlash

Senator Cruz critiques the administration's policies as being reactive and out of touch, leading to public distrust and backlash.

• Senator Ted Cruz [28:03]: "We can't afford four more years of this."

Senate Races and Swing States Analysis

Senator Cruz provides a comprehensive analysis of the Senate races across several pivotal swing states, evaluating the prospects for Republican candidates in each. Below are the key highlights:

Arizona

• Current Polling: Democrat Gallego leads Republican Kari Lake by an average of 4.3%.
• Analysis: Trump is outperforming Lake, making Arizona a winnable state for Republicans if the margin shifts favorably.

Michigan

• Current Polling: Democrat Slotkin leads Republican Mike Rogers by 5.1%.
• Analysis: While the Democrats hold an edge, the close margin suggests potential for a Republican pickup with focused campaigning.

Montana

• Current Polling: Republican Tim Sheehy leads Democrat Jon Tester by 5.2%.
• Analysis: As a traditionally GOP-leaning state, Montana presents a solid opportunity for Republicans to secure another seat.

Nevada

• Current Polling: Democrat Jackie Rosen leads Republican Sam Brown by 8.8%.
• Analysis: Despite being competitive, the substantial lead indicates challenges for Republicans to overturn the incumbent advantage.

Ohio

• Current Polling: Democrat Sherrod Brown leads Republican Bernie Moreno by 3.6%.
• Analysis: Ohio remains a crucial battleground, with Trump expected to perform strongly. However, the Senate race is close and winnable for Republicans with strategic efforts.

Pennsylvania

• Current Polling: The race is tightly contested, with real-time polling fluctuating.
• Analysis: As the most critical battleground state, Pennsylvania could determine the overall outcome of the presidential race. Republicans need to galvanize support to flip the Senate seat.

Maryland

• Current Polling: Democrats have a comfortable lead, but Republican Larry Hogan is considered the only viable GOP candidate.
• Analysis: Maryland remains a challenging state for Republicans, requiring Hogan to significantly outperform expectations to have a chance.

Wisconsin

• Current Polling: Democrat Tammy Baldwin leads Republican Eric Hovdi by 4.6%.

• Analysis: With tightening polls in recent weeks, Wisconsin is a winnable state for Republicans if the margin continues to close.

• Senator Ted Cruz [31:20]: "All of these states that I mentioned is winnable by the Republicans. But for us to win, the numbers need to shift four or five points."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, both Ferguson and Cruz emphasize the importance of focusing on the core issues of the economy, illegal immigration, and crime to sway undecided voters and secure victories in swing states. They stress the necessity for the Republican Party to maintain momentum in the final stretch leading up to Election Day.

• Senator Ted Cruz [41:36]: "If we focus on those, I think we've got a real shot at winning every one of those six weeks."

Ben Ferguson encourages listeners to stay engaged, share the podcast, and keep abreast of the latest developments through his other media channels.

Notable Quotes

• Senator Ted Cruz [00:22]: "November 5th is six weeks and one day away… what to expect heading into election day."

• Ben Ferguson [07:10]: "They don't mind lying, like they lied multiple times on student loans."

• Senator Ted Cruz [13:44]: "There is no way to monitor this… it leads to shortages and hyperinflation."

• Senator Ted Cruz [25:31]: "75% of the crimes in midtown Manhattan were being committed by illegal aliens."

• Senator Ted Cruz [28:03]: "We can't afford four more years of this."

• Senator Ted Cruz [31:20]: "All of these states that I mentioned is winnable by the Republicans."

Final Remarks

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for voters navigating the final stretch of the 2024 election. By dissecting the main issues, critiquing current policies, and providing a detailed Senate race analysis, Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz equip listeners with the insights needed to make informed decisions at the ballot box.