The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: Episode Summary

Episode Title: The Cloakroom Preview: What if China Invades Taiwan?
Release Date: August 5, 2022
Host: Premiere Networks
Featuring: Senator Ted Cruz and Liz Wheeler

1. Celebrating New Beginnings

The episode opens with Liz Wheeler sharing joyous news about Senator Ted Cruz’s family. [00:00-02:49] Cruz proudly announces the birth of his second son, expressing heartfelt congratulations to his family. Wheeler adds, “Michael posted some pictures publicly on Instagram of little guy, and man, is he a doll. Michael's wife did a fabulous job. Huge congratulations to them.” This personal update sets a warm tone for the episode and underscores the camaraderie between Wheeler and Cruz.

2. Jon Stewart’s Critique and the PACT Act Controversy

The conversation shifts to recent events involving Jon Stewart’s public criticism of Senator Cruz. [02:49-10:08] Wheeler brings up Stewart’s harsh remarks, asking Cruz to explain the situation.

Ted Cruz:
“[03:26]... Jon Stewart kind of lost his mind and did an awful lot of demagoguing and very little, actually truth telling.”

Cruz elaborates on the PACT Act, a bill aimed at improving veterans' healthcare, particularly for those exposed to toxic burn pit fumes in Iraq and Afghanistan. He defends his support for the bill, emphasizing its importance for veterans:
“[03:26]... the PACT act is a bill that creates $280 billion in new funding for healthcare for our veterans, for exposure to burn pits.”

Cruz criticizes the Democratic maneuvering within the bill, accusing them of shifting $400 billion from discretionary to mandatory spending to fund unrelated "pork projects." He explains how this shift undermines the discretionary spending cap and allows Democrats to increase their spending agenda:
“[03:26]... they want to spend 400 billion more in unrelated pork. Has nothing to do with veterans, has nothing to do with this bill.”

Despite his support, Cruz acknowledges the narrow failure of Pat Toomey’s amendment aimed at reversing this budgetary tactic. He criticizes the media for misrepresenting the conflict, stating that Jon Stewart and others falsely portrayed Republicans as being against veterans:
“[10:08]... Jon Stewart proceeded to go on this profanity laced tirade, blasting me, blasting other Republicans. And basically his thesis was that apparently Republicans hate veterans. We don't like veterans.”

3. Media Misrepresentation and Political Maneuvering

Wheeler counters Cruz’s narrative by highlighting the Democratic strategy and its implications.
Wheeler: “[10:08]... the truth of the matter is it was actually the Democrats who were temporarily holding this money hostage from veterans to pay for their healthcare because they wanted an additional $400 billion to spend on things unrelated to veterans or healthcare, just their own political pet projects.”

Cruz agrees, reinforcing his stance on Democratic tactics:
“[10:08]... Sed Democrats loved their pork so much they didn't wanna pass it last week.”

He further explains the significance of Republican unity in this battle and the media's failure to acknowledge their efforts:
“[10:28]... Steve Daines, Republican from Montana, he and I did a fist bump on the Senate floor, which caused Stewart's pretty little head to explode... But the 400 billion in unrelated pork that, by the way, is fueling inflation...”

Cruz emphasizes the long-term impact of this political fight, suggesting it may influence future legislative actions by Republicans:
“[10:28]... maybe we've made it radioactive for the Democrats to come back in another bill and add that pork spending of that 400 billion in the hole.”

4. Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan Visit and US Foreign Policy Implications

The discussion transitions to international relations, specifically Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan and its potential ramifications. [13:40-19:27]

Wheeler references a previous episode where Cruz outlined his foreign policy philosophy, which prioritizes U.S. interests before engaging in foreign conflicts. She probes Cruz on whether Pelosi’s visit increases the likelihood of China invading Taiwan.

Ted Cruz:
“[14:26]... it remains a very real risk. Over a year ago, when Biden had his disastrous surrender and withdrawal in Afghanistan, the weakness and appeasement of this administration encouraged every one of our enemies.”

Cruz criticizes the Biden administration’s handling of the situation, highlighting the perceived weakness that emboldens adversaries:
“[14:26]... the Biden administration leaked that the Department of Defense opposed her going. We don't know who leaked it... That statement increased the chances of China invading Taiwan dramatically because they're taking a measure of does Joe Biden have the backbone to do anything?”

He condemns both the leaked opposition and the White House's inadequate response to China’s threats against Pelosi, labeling the administration's actions as weak and ineffective.

5. Strategic Response to Potential Invasion

Wheeler reconnects with Cruz’s foreign policy framework, asking how it applies if China were to invade Taiwan.

Ted Cruz:
“[19:27]... should we get involved? Absolutely, yes. And actually the Taiwan Assistance Act obligates us to get involved. Anytime you're dealing with a superpower that is a threat on the order of Communist China or the Soviet Union, your best hope is to deter aggression.”

Cruz outlines a robust strategy emphasizing deterrence through strength rather than direct military confrontation. He advocates for:

• Vigorous support for Taiwan: Using American influence to bolster Taiwan’s autonomy and economic success.
• Supplying Taiwan with military weaponry: Equipping Taiwan with advanced, asymmetric weapons to make any potential invasion costly for China.
• Economic deterrence: Highlighting Taiwan's role in global semiconductor manufacturing, which is vital for U.S. military and technological sectors.
  “[19:27]... Taiwan poses an enormous threat to the Chinese government... the Chinese government is so terrified of Taiwan, because it emboldens their system.”

Cruz warns of the catastrophic consequences of a Chinese takeover of Taiwan, not just for regional stability but also for global technology and the U.S. economy.

6. Senate Vote on the Inflation Reduction Act and Kyrsten Sinema’s Decision

The episode concludes with a look ahead to upcoming Senate votes, particularly focusing on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s pivotal vote. [24:43-27:28]

Wheeler presents a mailbag question from Craig Alexander regarding Sinema’s potential stance on the bill.

Ted Cruz:
“[25:27]... the only one who will decide it is Kyrsten Sinema. I will tell you, Sinema was playing pretty coy today. She has been, look, she's had real guts taking on Schumer and the crazies in her parties.”

Cruz expresses uncertainty about Sinema’s vote but speculates that she may seek amendments or changes to the bill in exchange for her support. He emphasizes the critical nature of her vote in determining the bill’s fate:
“[25:27]... if she insists on some changes to it, I think she probably gets to yes at the end of the day, but I don't know.”

Wheeler encourages audience engagement, urging listeners to share their opinions on Sinema’s potential vote and reminding them of upcoming episodes on pressing political topics.

7. Upcoming Topics and Closing Remarks

Wheeler teases future discussions, including an episode on George Soros-funded progressive prosecutors, signaling continued exploration of significant political issues. She wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of engaging with current events and legislative developments.

Key Takeaways

• PACT Act Advocacy: Senator Cruz passionately defends the PACT Act, highlighting its benefits for veterans while criticizing Democratic budgetary strategies.

• Media Critique: Cruz accuses Jon Stewart and mainstream media of misrepresenting Republican actions, particularly regarding support for veterans.

• Foreign Policy Stance: Emphasizing deterrence over direct conflict, Cruz outlines a strategic approach to prevent Chinese aggression towards Taiwan, underscoring the importance of military and economic support.

• Senate Dynamics: The critical role of Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s vote on the Inflation Reduction Act is highlighted, reflecting the fragile balance of bipartisan legislation.

Notable Quotes

• Ted Cruz on Jon Stewart’s Critique:
  “Jon Stewart kind of lost his mind and did an awful lot of demagoguing and very little, actually truth telling.” [03:26]

• Cruz on Democratic Budget Tactics:
  “They want to spend 400 billion more in unrelated pork. Has nothing to do with veterans, has nothing to do with this bill.” [10:08]

• On Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan Visit:
  “It remains a very real risk... the Biden administration leaked that the Department of Defense opposed her going.” [14:26]

• Foreign Policy Philosophy:
  “Anytime you're dealing with a superpower that is a threat on the order of Communist China... your best hope is to deter aggression.” [19:27]

• On Senator Sinema’s Vote:
  “She has been, look, she's had real guts taking on Schumer and the crazies in her parties.” [25:27]

Conclusion

This episode of The 47 Morning Update delves deep into critical political issues, from veterans' healthcare and media portrayal of Republicans to the intricate dynamics of U.S.-China relations and impending Senate votes. Through insightful dialogue between Liz Wheeler and Senator Ted Cruz, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and strategies shaping contemporary American politics. Whether discussing domestic legislative battles or international geopolitical tensions, the episode underscores the importance of informed and strategic approaches in governance and policy-making.