Intro
In this episode of “The Ben Shapiro Show”, Ben discusses the upcoming Republican debate and the strategies of the candidates. He also talks about the impact of Trump’s absence from the debate, as well as various other topics including Hunter Biden’s business dealings, consumer spending, and the controversy surrounding Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Leonard Bernstein.
Main Takeaways
Republican Debate and Candidates
- The first Republican debate is tonight, with candidates vying for second place behind Donald Trump.
- Trump is not on the stage but is still leading the race by 40 points over the rest of the field combined.
- Trump’s campaign is attacking Ron DeSantis, who is within shouting distance of Trump in the Iowa polling.
- Marjorie Taylor Greene created a bingo card for debate night, entirely focused on attacking DeSantis, without mentioning any of his policies.
- Conservative voters may find this insulting and prefer attacks based on policies.
- Ron DeSantis had the strongest COVID record of any governor in America.
- The Republican primaries are still a two-man race.
- Many people on the debate stage should not be there.
- Aisa Hutchinson got on the debate stage by asking people to work around the rules.
- Nikki Haley and Tim Scott are both on stage and need to make a case against DeSantis.
DeSantis’ Strategy and Electability
- Ron DeSantis needs to survive attacks during the debate and regain momentum in the polls.
- DeSantis has experienced a significant decline in polling data, losing support to Donald Trump.
- To win the nomination, DeSantis must make the case why he should be the nominee and not Trump.
- DeSantis has an electability argument, winning the state of Florida by 20 points and creating a massive voter registration swing.
- DeSantis needs to make the case that Trump is not electable and that he is more electable, but must acknowledge that Trump lost to Joe Biden in 2020.
- DeSantis does not have a history of being an amazing debater, but is good when combative one-on-one with the media.
Trump’s Absence and Media Coverage
- Trump is avoiding the debate, leading by 40 points and wining and dining journalists.
- The media and Trump have a love-hate relationship, with passionate flings happening during election time in the Republican primaries.
- Fox News has sent out a debate guide for media to cover the debate, which includes restrictions on airing debate excerpts.
- Media outlets cannot air more than three minutes of debate excerpts in any one program, including video and audio.
- Fox News is threatening to sue media outlets, including conservative outlets, if they play more than three minutes of debate excerpts.
- Trump’s decision to ditch the debate may have an impact on him in places like Iowa, where voters expect him to show up and interact with all the candidates.
Hunter Biden’s Business Dealings and Consumer Spending
- Joe Biden’s family has benefited from his political power, including his son Hunter’s business dealings in China.
- Hunter Biden was made a director and given an ownership share in an investment boutique underwritten by the Chinese government.
- Consumer spending is the only thing holding up the American economy, with both Dick’s Sporting Goods and Macy’s flashing warning signs on consumer spending.
- Gross output stat shows negative territory for the last two quarters, hitting business investment and consumption-led economy.
- Retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Macy’s, Target, and Home Depot are experiencing significant difficulties due to people spending less money.
Controversies and Entertainment
- The controversy surrounding Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Leonard Bernstein highlights the issue of being offended by things that are not offensive while excusing things that are clearly anti-Semitic.
- Helen Mirren playing Golda Meir is also not offensive in any way, shape, or form.
- The media dedicated to indoctrinating children with LGBTQ content, but most book banners don’t read the books.
- A woman who previously identified as a biological female wrote about her experience with trans issues, stating that “trans isn’t a contagion.”
Summary
Debate Dynamics and Candidate Strategies
The Republican debate is happening, but without Donald Trump on the stage. Trump’s absence has allowed other candidates, like Ron DeSantis, to gain attention and attack each other. However, some conservative voters may find the focus on personal attacks rather than policy discussions insulting. DeSantis, who had a strong COVID record as a governor, needs to survive attacks during the debate and make a case for his electability. He must acknowledge Trump’s loss to Biden in 2020 while highlighting his own accomplishments as the governor of Florida.
Trump’s Absence and Media Coverage
Trump’s decision to skip the debate may have consequences, especially in Iowa where voters expect candidates to show up and interact. The media, which has a love-hate relationship with Trump, is restricted in airing debate excerpts by Fox News. Trump’s absence and the media’s coverage of the debate could influence the perception of his candidacy.
Hunter Biden’s Business Dealings and Consumer Spending
The Biden family’s benefit from political power, including Hunter Biden’s business dealings in China, raises questions about ethics and influence. Meanwhile, consumer spending is crucial for the American economy, but signs of weakening, such as lower earnings and tepid forecasts from retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Macy’s, indicate potential challenges ahead.
Controversies and Entertainment
The controversies surrounding Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Leonard Bernstein and Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Golda Meir highlight the subjective nature of offense and the need for critical thinking. Additionally, the media’s influence on children through LGBTQ content and the personal experiences of individuals navigating gender identity further contribute to ongoing discussions.
Conclusion
This episode of “The Ben Shapiro Show” delves into the dynamics of the Republican debate, the strategies of the candidates, and various other topics. From analyzing DeSantis’ electability to discussing controversies and entertainment, Ben provides insightful commentary on current events and political developments.
