Ep. 765 - 2020 Cometh, And That Right Soon

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Ben Shapiro’s critique of the 2020 Democratic field after a CNN town hall, arguing that Bernie Sanders is setting the party’s agenda and pushing extreme positions on prison voting, socialism, and executive power. Shapiro also attacks the media for minimizing the Sri Lanka church bombings and for distorted coverage of Christianity and historical identity.

Main Topics: Bernie Sanders as Democratic frontrunner and ideological driver (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Sanders is the intellectual center of the Democratic Party, with other candidates rushing to mirror his positions rather than challenge them. Voting rights for prisoners and criminals (Priority: 5/5): A major focus is Sanders’ defense of allowing incarcerated felons, including notorious terrorists, to vote. Shapiro condemns this as morally and politically indefensible. Kamala Harris following Sanders on voting and gun policy (Priority: 4/5): Harris is portrayed as evasive on prison voting, supportive of lower voting age proposals, and willing to expand executive authority on gun control if Congress fails to act. Pete Buttigieg’s rise, elitism, and cultural positioning (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro says Buttigieg appeals to media elites because he is educated, polished, gay, and religiously progressive, while criticizing his policy vagueness and attacks on Mike Pence and Sanders supporters. Elizabeth Warren’s lack of specifics (Priority: 4/5): Warren is criticized for dodging details on Social Security, the Green New Deal, and antitrust/big tech policy, relying on broad promises instead of concrete plans. Sri Lanka church bombings and media bias (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro says the CNN town hall and broader media coverage ignored the Sri Lanka attacks, which he frames as evidence of anti-Christian violence being downplayed. New York Times piece on Jesus and historical revisionism (Priority: 3/5): He objects to an NYT article describing Jesus as a ‘Palestinian man,’ arguing this is historically inaccurate and implicitly anti-Semitic because the term Palestine postdates Jesus and obscures his Jewish identity.

Key Arguments: Sanders is effectively the Democratic Party’s thought leader, and his radical positions are being copied by other candidates. Allowing prisoners to vote is wrong because incarcerated people remain wards of the state and have an incentive to expand state power. Sanders’ willingness to enfranchise even violent terrorists shows a failure to distinguish between levels of moral evil. Harris’s ambiguity on prisoner voting and her support for lowering the voting age are presented as evidence that Democrats are prioritizing ideological signaling over prudence. Buttigieg’s appeal is largely identity-based and media-driven, not grounded in a substantive or tested policy record. Buttigieg’s claim that God has no political party is criticized as incompatible with his own religious claims and policy positions on abortion and sexuality. Warren’s responses on Social Security and the Green New Deal are framed as non-answers that substitute rhetoric for policy. The media selectively amplify anti-far-right narratives while neglecting anti-Christian violence such as the Sri Lanka bombings. The NYT’s portrayal of Jesus as Palestinian is described as historically false and politically loaded, erasing Jesus’ Jewish identity.

Data Points: Democratic support for Bernie Sanders: About 25% base - Shapiro says Sanders has a loyal base that is pulling the party leftward. Bernie Sanders on polls: Pulled even with Joe Biden - Shapiro notes Sanders is leading or tied in early polling before Biden formally enters. CNN town hall participants: Multiple Democratic candidates - The episode reviews appearances by Sanders, Harris, Buttigieg, and Warren. Sri Lanka death toll: 311 people - Shapiro cites the reported fatalities from the Easter church bombings. Sri Lanka attacks: 8 simultaneous suicide bombings - He mentions the scale and coordination of the attacks. Open Doors estimate: Violent attacks on Christians doubled from 2017 to 2018 - Used to support his claim that Christian persecution is increasing worldwide. Christian deaths: Approximately 11 Christians dying every day for their faith - Cited from Open Doors USA reporting. Boston Marathon bombing injuries: 260 people injured - Used in discussing why the bomber should not be allowed to vote. Boston Marathon bombing deaths: 3 people killed in the attack - Shapiro references Martin Richard, Crystal Campbell, and Lindsay Liu. Age to vote proposal: 16 years old - Shapiro highlights Harris’s openness to allowing 16-year-olds to vote. Executive timeline on gun control: 100 days - Harris says Congress would have 100 days to act before she uses executive action. Gun-sale threshold: More than 5 guns a year - Harris’s proposed background-check requirement for sellers. Buttigieg polling in Iowa: About 14% - Shapiro says Buttigieg has surged into third place. Daily Wire subscription price: $9.99/month - Promotional segment for Daily Wire subscription. Indochino promo price: $379 - Advertised premium suit price with promo code. Mint Mobile price: $15/month - Wireless plan promotion. Keeps monthly price: $10 to $35/month - Hair-loss treatment promotion.

Pivotal Quotes: "Yes, even for terrible people." — Bernie Sanders: Sanders answers whether the Boston Marathon bomber should be allowed to vote. "I think we should have that conversation." — Kamala Harris: Harris avoids directly endorsing or rejecting prisoner voting when asked about convicted criminals voting in prison. "We’re trying to run a non-profit traditional campaigns." — Pete Buttigieg: Buttigieg explains why his campaign website has limited policy detail.

Implications: The episode frames the 2020 Democratic race as a contest to out-radical Bernie Sanders, with media approval rewarding symbolic identity politics over policy specificity. It also argues that press and cultural elites selectively ignore anti-Christian violence and historical inaccuracies.