The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Episode: The Inside Story: ANOTHER Biden Nom Defeated, plus Biden LOVES China & Kerry LOVES Private Jets Release Date: March 27, 2023

Introduction In this compelling episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson engages in an in-depth conversation with Senator Ted Cruz, a prominent Republican voice, about the recent setbacks faced by President Biden's administration concerning nominee confirmations. The discussion delves into the dynamics behind the withdrawal of Biden's nominees, the implications for U.S. regulatory bodies, and a critical examination of Biden's foreign policy, particularly his approach towards China and Russia. Additionally, Cruz highlights the hypocrisy within the administration concerning environmental policies and personal conduct.

Defeat of Biden's Nominees: A Closer Look

Withdrawal of Phil Washington and Gigi Sohn The episode kicks off with Senator Cruz addressing the recent withdrawals of two significant Biden nominees: Phil Washington for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Gigi Sohn for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

• Phil Washington for FAA:

  • Unqualified Nominee: Cruz emphasizes that Washington lacked the necessary aviation background. "I walk through some of the technical questions that Phil Washington couldn’t answer…He didn’t know how close commercial airplanes can come on a runway,” [21:03].
  • Legal and Ethical Concerns: Washington's nomination was problematic not only due to his qualifications but also because he was under active public corruption investigations. "The California Attorney General's Office said Phil Washington is materially connected to this investigation," [13:37].
  • Statutory Issues: Washington's military background conflicted with FAA statutes requiring the administrator to be a civilian without ongoing military affiliations. "Under the statute, it requires a waiver where both houses of Congress have to pass it. And we said the House is not going to pass this," [13:37].

• Gigi Sohn for FCC:

  • Radical Ideology: Cruz describes Sohn as a "left-wing radical" whose extreme views would have been detrimental to the FCC's role in regulating communications. "She has advocated using government power to silence voices she doesn't like. She would have been very dangerous as a government regulator," [04:01].
  • Committee Strategy: Cruz outlines a strategic approach taken by the Commerce Committee to systematically empower Republicans, scrutinize Sohn's record, and rally constituent support against her nomination. "We empowered every Republican on the committee… She had sent tweets praising people who were calling for abolishing the police," [00:44].

Effective Opposition Tactics Cruz attributes the success in defeating these nominees to meticulous research, strategic communication, and collaboration with committee members and stakeholders.

• Research and Information Dissemination: Comprehensive examination of nominees' backgrounds and public records.
• Empowering Committee Members: Equipping senators with factual data to question nominees effectively during hearings.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Coordinating with pilot associations and other relevant groups to voice concerns about nominee qualifications.

Notable Quote:

"We did a pretty good job with almost everyone of keeping them on the sidelines. And my team was on the phone to all of them and they're like, these guys are beating the heck out of us. And we said, fine, he's not gonna be confirmed." [35:20]

Biden's Foreign Policy: China and Russia Under Scrutiny

Critique of Biden's Stance on Adversaries Senator Cruz offers a scathing critique of President Biden's foreign policy, particularly his approach towards China and Russia. He argues that Biden's perceived weakness emboldens adversaries and weakens alliances.

• Perceived Weakness: Cruz asserts that Biden's reluctance to take decisive action against China and Russia is seen as weakness. "Our enemies are laughing at us," [39:56].
• Impact on Global Security: The President's handling of arms agreements and sanctions is portrayed as ineffective, leading to increased aggression from adversaries. "Russia, China… all of them. If you're an enemy of America, they bend over backwards to you," [40:21].
• Specific Incidents:
  • Nord Stream 2: Biden's failure to halt the pipeline project is linked to Russia's aggression in Ukraine. "Why did Putin invade Ukraine? Number one, because Biden let him complete Nord Stream 2," [40:21].
  • Taiwan Tensions: The lack of firm stance on Taiwan is cited as a reason for increased threats from China. "Taiwan is in existential danger right now from China because Xi doesn't respect Biden," [40:21].

Public Perception and International Relations Cruz highlights instances where Biden's statements undermine his stance, leading to ridicule and loss of respect from both adversaries and allies.

Notable Quotes:

"Mr. President, is an exaggeration to say that China maintains concentration camps with over 1 million Uyghurs in it today… Mr. President, is an exaggeration to say China uses murder as an official government policy." [42:17]

"So that's addressing the Canadian Parliament."

"He had quite a bit of experience with trains and buses… So I suggested at the hearing, let me say something right now… he would be approved with a large bipartisan majority because he's capable." [24:14]

John Kerry's Environmental Hypocrisy A significant portion of the discussion focuses on former Secretary of State John Kerry's environmental policies, particularly his personal carbon footprint versus his administrative stance.

• Private Jet Emissions: Cruz points out Kerry's disproportionate carbon emissions from private jet usage. "John Kerry, individually, one person emits roughly a fifth, 20% of what the entire nation of Greenland emits," [52:58].
• Policy vs. Personal Conduct: While advocating for environmental responsibility, Kerry's personal actions contradict his policies. "He has commented that private jet emissions are offset by purchasing carbon credits, akin to buying indulgences in the Dark Ages," [47:05].

Notable Quote:

"The absolute hypocrisy of the left. It is difficult to find it better personified than his comment… They offset and they're working harder than most people I know to be able to try to affect this transition." [47:12]

Strategic Senate Maneuvering and Bipartisan Efforts

Building Support and Diplomatic Engagement Cruz elaborates on the strategic efforts undertaken to build bipartisan support against unqualified nominees and to promote qualified alternatives within the Senate.

• Empowering Committee Members: Providing senators with detailed briefs and question prompts to ensure thorough vetting during hearings.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Engaging with relevant professional associations to bolster opposition against nominees lacking necessary expertise.
• Proposing Alternatives: Suggesting qualified candidates, such as Billy Nolan for FAA, who possess the requisite expertise and are likely to garner bipartisan approval. "I think if the White House withdrew Phil Washington and nominated Mr. Nolan, he would in all likelihood be approved with a large bipartisan majority because he's capable," [24:14].

Senate Floor Advocacy: Cruz discusses his efforts on the Senate floor, including one-on-one conversations with senators to influence their votes based on substantive concerns rather than partisan lines.

Notable Quotes:

"…if you force a vote, I'll be a no. And I pointed out to him, I said, listen, during the Trump administration I did this multiple times. Every single time I did it, they pulled the nominee." [29:25]

"These are material issues that affect national safety and security. This isn't about party politics; it's about competence and responsibility." [General summary]

Impact on Future Nominations: Cruz warns that the Biden administration might face more hurdles in the coming years if they continue to push forward questionable nominees, stressing the necessity for procedural integrity and genuine qualifications in appointments.

Conclusion

In this episode, Senator Ted Cruz provides a nuanced and critical analysis of President Biden's administration, particularly focusing on the recent failures to confirm key nominees due to their lack of qualifications and the administration's apparent disregard for statutory requirements and ethical standards. Cruz underscores the importance of thorough vetting in Senate confirmations to uphold the integrity of U.S. regulatory bodies. Additionally, his critique extends to Biden's foreign policy, highlighting perceived weaknesses that embolden adversaries and strain international relationships. The discussion serves as a thorough examination of the intersection between political strategy, legislative responsibility, and national security.

Key Takeaways:

• The Biden administration's recent nominee withdrawals signal potential challenges ahead in securing qualified appointees.
• Strategic opposition, grounded in thorough research and bipartisan collaboration, can effectively counteract unqualified or ideologically extreme nominations.
• Critiques of Biden's foreign policy reveal concerns about diplomatic strategies that may inadvertently strengthen global adversaries.
• Personal conduct of political figures, as illustrated by John Kerry's emissions, can undermine administrative policies and erode public trust.

Notable Quotes:

• "Phil Washington, we did several things. Number one, it was going through and doing the research. There are a whole host of issues." [00:44]
• "Our enemies are laughing at us. Here, play this next clip." [44:18]
• "John Kerry, individually, one person emits roughly a fifth, 20% of what the entire nation of Greenland emits." [52:58]

This episode provides listeners with an insightful behind-the-scenes look at Senate procedures, the significance of nominee qualifications, and the broader implications of presidential policies on both domestic and international fronts.