Podcast Summary: The Cloakroom Preview: An Intentionally Anti-Democratic Voting System

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Cloakroom Preview: An Intentionally Anti-Democratic Voting System
• Release Date: September 11, 2022
• Host/Author: Premiere Networks
• Description: Hosted by Liz Wheeler and Senator Ted Cruz, "The Cloakroom" is a Verdict Plus series that delves into political issues with a legal perspective. This episode offers a preview of discussions surrounding ranked choice voting and its implications on democratic processes.

Introduction

In this episode of The Cloakroom on Verdict, Liz Wheeler and Senator Ted Cruz engage in a comprehensive discussion on recent political developments, focusing on the legal challenges of canceling student loan debt and the controversial implementation of ranked choice voting in Alaska. Additionally, they address listener questions concerning gun control legislation and the prospects of a gay marriage bill.

Section 1: Legal Analysis of Student Loan Debt Cancellation

Key Discussion Points:

• Media Reaction: The episode begins with Wheeler and Cruz addressing the mainstream media's scrutiny of their legal analysis regarding President Biden's executive order on student loan debt cancellation.
• Legal Impediments: Cruz emphasizes the legal challenges, particularly the issue of establishing standing for plaintiffs who might challenge the executive order.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz ([01:44]): “The press likes it when any Republican discusses any impediment to principled arguments prevailing. They like that.”
• Senator Ted Cruz ([04:20]): “If it gets to the merits, I think the executive order gets struck down. I think it goes to the Supreme Court and has probably been struck down 6-3.”

Section 2: Ranked Choice Voting as an Anti-Democratic Mechanism

Key Discussion Points:

• Alaska's Election Outcome: Cruz analyzes the recent special election in Alaska where, despite Republicans securing 60% of the overall vote, a Democrat won the seat due to the ranked choice voting (RCV) system.
• Critique of RCV: He argues that RCV is intentionally designed to favor Democrats or moderates, making it difficult for conservatives to win elections.
• Personal Anecdote: Cruz shares a personal story about losing a minor election by one vote due to RCV, highlighting his skepticism of the system.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz ([06:11]): “Ranked choice voting I think is a terrible design and it is intentionally anti-democratic.”
• Senator Ted Cruz ([11:58]): “When I was in college... I lost the election by one vote. That and... it sucks even worse for the people of Alaska.”
• Senator Ted Cruz ([13:55]): “This is designed to deceive voters. And I think election mechanisms that are designed to deceive voters are not good mechanisms.”

Section 3: Assault Rifle Ban Bill in the Senate

Listener Question: Dade Goforth inquires about the chances of the new assault rifle ban bill passing the Senate, its constitutionality, and its impact on gun ownership.

Key Discussion Points:

• Legislative Hurdles: Cruz asserts that the likelihood of the assault rifle ban passing is virtually zero due to the filibuster requiring 60 votes in the Senate.
• Historical Context: He references the 2013 vote when a similar bill failed to gain sufficient support, highlighting bipartisan challenges.
• Effectiveness of Gun Control: Cruz cites a Justice Department study indicating that the previous assault weapons ban had no significant impact on violent crime rates.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz ([16:46]): “The chances that the assault... weapons ban passes the Senate at least right now are essentially zero.”
• Senator Ted Cruz ([19:21]): “Anyone who argues that there is a measurable effect on violent crime is engaged in sophistry.”

Section 4: Prospects of the Gay Marriage Bill

Listener Follow-Up: Following the discussion on the assault rifle ban, Wheeler poses a question about the prospects of a gay marriage bill passing in the Senate.

Key Discussion Points:

• Senate Dynamics: Cruz expresses uncertainty about the bill's passage, noting that it depends on Democratic leadership and the willingness of Republicans to support it.
• Religious Liberty Concerns: He emphasizes the importance of including strong protections for religious liberties in the bill to prevent targeting of faith-based institutions.
• Legislative Opposition: Cruz highlights the potential negative consequences of the bill on churches, universities, and charities that uphold traditional definitions of marriage.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz ([21:29]): “The bill as written would have enormously harmful consequences for religious liberty.”
• Senator Ted Cruz ([23:42]): “The harm from this bill would be massive.”

Conclusion

In this episode of The Cloakroom on Verdict, Liz Wheeler and Senator Ted Cruz provide a critical analysis of recent political strategies and legislative proposals. They argue that mechanisms like ranked choice voting are intentionally structured to undermine conservative victories, using Alaska's recent election as a case study. Additionally, Cruz remains skeptical about the feasibility of new gun control measures and stresses the necessity of safeguarding religious liberties in legislative endeavors related to marriage equality. The discussion underscores the ongoing tension between different political factions and the impact of electoral rules on democratic outcomes.

End of Summary