Ep. 716 - They Dreamed A Dream

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode argues that Democrats’ most prominent policies and candidates are increasingly unrealistic, politically self-defeating, and out of sync with voters. Shapiro discusses the halted California bullet train, the border-deal fight, the Green New Deal vote, and 2020 Democratic candidates under pressure from their own base, while contrasting them with Trump’s political positioning and attacks on the media.

Main Topics: Border wall and government shutdown deal (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro says the shutdown was averted through a weak compromise that gives Trump limited border funding, but he frames Trump’s broader win as exposing Democratic resistance to border security and illegal immigration enforcement. Green New Deal and Democratic hypocrisy (Priority: 5/5): He portrays Mitch McConnell’s move to force a Senate vote on the Green New Deal as a successful troll that exposes how Democrats praise the plan publicly but fear accountability when asked to vote on it. California high-speed rail collapse (Priority: 5/5): The segment uses California’s bullet train as an example of Democratic overreach: a massively expensive infrastructure promise that has been scaled back because the original vision was infeasible and wasteful. 2020 Democratic candidates under base pressure (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro argues that candidates such as Amy Klobuchar, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Howard Schultz, and others are being punished by a radicalized Democratic base for moderate or inconvenient positions. Ilhan Omar and Democratic forgiveness standards (Priority: 5/5): He contends Democrats excuse Omar’s anti-Semitic remarks because anti-Semitism does not violate their internal moral boundaries the way race, gender, or sexuality issues do. Media, violence, and Trump rally coverage (Priority: 3/5): Shapiro criticizes the media and White House Correspondents Association for blaming Trump for a rally incident involving a reporter, arguing that violence by individuals should not be imputed to political speech selectively.

Key Arguments: Trump’s border fight politically benefits him because it shows Democrats do not care enough about border security and illegal immigration enforcement. The shutdown deal is framed as a surrender, but Trump may still redirect funds or invoke emergency authorities to get more wall built. The Green New Deal is so extreme that Democrats are afraid to let it reach a vote, which McConnell exploits by forcing them on record. California’s high-speed rail demonstrates the absurdity of ambitious Democratic infrastructure promises that fail when confronted with cost and practicality. Democratic presidential candidates are being dragged by their own base for positions that are either moderate or commonsense, indicating a party captured by activists. Klobuchar’s reported treatment of staff undermines her image as a viable national candidate despite media attention. Kamala Harris is vulnerable because her prosecutorial background and past immigration enforcement positions conflict with the modern Democratic base. Ilhan Omar is repeatedly forgiven for anti-Semitic behavior because Democratic tolerance extends to anti-Israel rhetoric even when it crosses into anti-Semitism. Howard Schultz is being attacked because he says things like ‘I don’t see color,’ which are no longer acceptable to the contemporary left. The media apply inconsistent standards on violence and responsibility, blaming Trump for one supporter’s assault while ignoring similar left-wing incidents.

Data Points: Trump approval rating: rose seven points over the last month - Shapiro attributes the increase to Democratic proposals that he says voters do not take seriously. Border security funding in compromise: $1.375 billion - Funding in the bipartisan deal to avert another shutdown. Border fencing authorized: 55 miles - Approximate amount of new fence the compromise bill would allow. California high-speed rail estimate: $77 billion - Estimated cost of Jerry Brown’s original plan to build a line between San Francisco and Los Angeles. California population used in calculation: 40 million - Shapiro uses this figure to compare rail costs with the cost of flights for residents. Ticket-cost comparison: about $80 one-way - Approximate cost of a plane ticket between Los Angeles and San Francisco used in the argument against the rail project. California universal health care estimate: $17 billion per year - Shapiro cites this as too expensive even for a heavily Democratic state. California state budget: $200 billion - Used to argue that universal health care would be an unsustainable additional expense. Daily Wire subscription price: $99 a year or $9.99 a month - Promotional pricing mentioned during the show. Green New Deal vote status: not brought up for a vote in the House - Shapiro says Democratic leaders avoided a House vote despite praising the resolution.

Pivotal Quotes: "If your proposal is so toxic that the mere fact of bringing it up for a vote would expose it as toxic, I'm pretty sure you're the one who just sabotaged your own vote." — Ben Shapiro: Criticizing Democrats’ reaction to Mitch McConnell forcing a Senate vote on the Green New Deal. "Let's level about the high speed rail. Let's be real. The current project is planned would cost too much and respectfully take too long." — Gavin Newsom: Quoted by Shapiro as Newsom backtracks on California’s original bullet train plan. "I love my husband. And he happened to be the one that I chose to marry because I love him." — Kamala Harris: Her response to being asked why she married a white man, which Shapiro uses to argue that identity politics has become corrosive.

Implications: The episode frames 2020 politics as a clash between performative progressive promises and practical reality. Shapiro argues Democrats are trapped by radical activists, while Trump benefits by exposing those contradictions and keeping border/security issues central.