The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Episode: The Base Isn’t Just Loyal — It’s Fired Up in Poll Shocker
Date: March 6, 2026
Host: Ben Ferguson
Podcast: The 47 Morning Update (Premiere Networks)
Overview
In this episode, Ben Ferguson dives into two major political developments:
- President Trump's Surging Popularity: Recent polling data reveals that Donald Trump enjoys stronger support within his party than previous presidents, including Barack Obama and George W. Bush, at this stage of their presidencies.
- Barack Obama’s Gerrymandering Push: Barack Obama is publicly encouraging Virginia voters to back a redistricting initiative, which Ferguson frames as a direct attempt to counter Trump’s momentum and secure Democratic advantages through gerrymandering.
Throughout, Ferguson offers critical commentary on Democratic strategy while defending Trump’s position and warning conservatives about the stakes in the upcoming midterms.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s Unprecedented Party Support
- Polling Shocker: New polls, including data from CNN, show Donald Trump’s approval among Republicans surpasses that of Obama and Bush at the same point in their presidencies.
- Party Approval at This Point in 2nd Term:
- Bush: 77%
- Obama: 77%
- Trump: 86%
- (02:44) Ben Ferguson: "Look at this. 86% of Republicans approve of the job that Donald Trump is doing at this point. That is higher than either Obama or Bush had within their own party at this point."
- Party Approval at This Point in 2nd Term:
- Strong Approval Within GOP:
- Strongly Approve:
- Obama: 48%
- Bush: 47%
- Trump: 53%
- (03:21) Ben Ferguson: "Trump is the only one who gets a majority at this point in their presidency … Trump at 53%. Not as high as overall approval rating, but still getting a majority of the Republican base, at least in the average of polls. To say that they still really, really, really like him."
- Strongly Approve:
- Media Reluctance:
- Ferguson points out that even media outlets critical of Trump, notably CNN, are forced to report these numbers, which he frames as proof of the president’s resilience against “media destruction.”
- (01:34) Ben Ferguson: "President Trump is more popular even after the media has tried to destroy him..."
2. Obama’s Gerrymandering Campaign in Virginia
- Obama’s Message:
- Barack Obama appears in a widely viewed video urging Virginians to support a ballot measure that would change the state's congressional district boundaries for Democratic benefit in the upcoming midterms.
- Obama’s stated goal: “level the playing field” and “combat Republican gerrymandering.”
- (05:27) Barack Obama: "Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. But right now they are under threat. Over the past year, several Republican controlled states have taken the unprecedented step of redrawing their congressional maps … This amendment gives you the power to level the playing field in the midterms this fall..."
- Ferguson’s Critique:
- He frames Obama’s effort as ironic, painting Democrats as “masters of gerrymandering” now openly advocating it to defeat Trump’s GOP.
- (03:54) Ben Ferguson: "Now what's interesting about this is that you have a guy by the name of Barack Obama that went out there this week and started talking about how he wanted to gerrymander the upcoming elections and redraw the lines..."
- Calls Obama “the godfather of the Democratic Party” (06:38) and claims this ad campaign is “proof that the Democratic establishment is desperate to alter the political landscape in their favor.”
3. Redistricting Injustice in New England
- Gerrymandering Data Highlights:
- Ferguson highlights an apparent representation imbalance in New England:
- Trump support ranges from 32%-48% in states like Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
- Yet, zero Republican congressional seats are held in these states.
- (07:16) Ben Ferguson:
"Just under half of all New Englanders vote Republican. Do you want to know how many Republican seats there are in New England? There are no Republican seats in New England. None."
- Example Data:
- Vermont: 32% Trump voters → 0 GOP seats
- New Hampshire: 48% Trump voters → 0 GOP seats
- Maine: 45% Trump voters → 0 GOP seats
- (07:53) "You put these six New England states together, and under half of all New Englanders vote for Republicans, yet there's not a single Republican seat in New England."
- Example Data:
- Ferguson highlights an apparent representation imbalance in New England:
- Policy Implication:
- Ferguson contends this is why Democrats push for more gerrymandering, asserting it’s an effort to exclude conservative voices and render them politically irrelevant.
- (08:45) Ben Ferguson:
"So we got to change the districts to make it clear that, that we are going to say to Republicans, you are not welcome here. You don't belong here. You don't have a voice here."
4. Call to Action and Warning for Conservatives
- Accusations of Cheating:
- Ferguson alleges that Democrats are openly planning to “cheat” using gerrymandering tactics if they cannot prevail in open elections.
- (10:15) Ben Ferguson:
"Now Barack Obama's come out and said it very clearly. If we can't win, we will cheat and we will gerrymander. And every conservative better get ready and fight back, because this is what Donald Trump's up against in the midterm elections."
- Predictions:
- Claims the objective is to “steal the House" and then “weaponize government to go after Trump and any ally of Donald Trump.”
- (10:35) Ben Ferguson: "Mark my word."
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Trump’s Approval:
- (03:19) Ben Ferguson: "What you see is Trump is the only one who gets a majority at this point in their presidency… To say that they still really, really, really like him. Okay."
- On Obama’s Gerrymandering Video:
- (05:27) Barack Obama: "Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. But right now they are under threat."
- On Democratic Strategy:
- (09:11) Ben Ferguson: "We are going to go after you. And you are not welcome. Right? Like, you're, you're just, you're not welcome. Okay?"
- Warning to Conservatives:
- (10:20) Ben Ferguson: "Every conservative better get ready and fight back, because this is what Donald Trump's up against in the midterm elections..."
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:51: Opening & Main Stories Preview
- 01:34-03:19: Trump’s Popularity in the Polls vs. Obama and Bush
- 03:21-03:54: Strong Approval Among Party Base
- 05:27-06:38: Barack Obama’s Redistricting Video Message
- 07:16-07:53: Breakdown of New England Gerrymandering Numbers
- 08:10-09:11: Analysis on Political Exclusion of Conservatives in Blue States
- 10:15-10:35: Ferguson’s Warning: Democrats Will "Cheat" If They Can’t Win
- 11:29: Closing & Podcast Subscription Call
Episode Tone & Language
- Tone: Outspoken, urgent, combative, and rallying. Ferguson employs energetic and sometimes provocative language, especially in referencing Democratic tactics and rallying conservatives to action.
- Language: Direct, informal, sometimes hyperbolic — repeatedly using phrases like “they will cheat,” “you are not welcome,” and “the godfather of the Democratic Party.”
Summary
This episode centers on Trump’s unexpectedly strong hold over the Republican base and presents it as a looming crisis for Democrats heading into the midterms. Ben Ferguson frames Obama’s advocacy for redistricting in Virginia as an admission of Democratic desperation and a direct attack on electoral fairness, emphasizing the need for conservative vigilance and mobilization in the face of what he describes as open plans to “cheat” through gerrymandering. The episode is both a deconstruction of political developments and a rallying cry for Ferguson’s listeners.