Ep. 960 - Never Met A Communist He Didn't Like

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode argues that Bernie Sanders is finally facing real scrutiny just as he becomes the Democratic frontrunner, with rivals and the media attacking his socialist record, pro-communist sympathies, and political liabilities. It also covers coronavirus-driven market turmoil and how uncertainty is affecting Trump and the broader economy.

Main Topics: Democratic effort to stop Bernie Sanders (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro frames the debate as the last meaningful chance for Democrats to derail Sanders, emphasizing that Bloomberg, Biden, Warren, and Buttigieg are all either attacking him or positioning against him too late in the race. Sanders’ socialist/communist record (Priority: 5/5): A major segment argues Sanders is not a normal progressive but a lifelong Marxist who has consistently expressed warmth toward communist regimes including Cuba, China, the Soviet Union, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Electoral danger of a Sanders nomination (Priority: 5/5): The show highlights internal Bloomberg polling and early-state turnout data to argue Sanders does not expand the electorate and could hurt Democrats down-ballot in battleground House districts. Media and rival candidates finally scrutinizing Sanders (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro criticizes the mainstream media and Democratic rivals for waiting too long to question Sanders’s ideology, record, and associations with anti-Israel and far-left figures. Coronavirus and market/economic risk (Priority: 4/5): The segment shifts to the coronavirus outbreak, describing it as a black swan event that is unsettling markets, threatening supply chains, and creating political risk for Trump. Media hypocrisy and political theater (Priority: 3/5): Shapiro mocks Chris Matthews’s apology, CNN’s coverage of Jim Acosta, and what he sees as performative journalism and selective outrage in political/media interactions.

Key Arguments: Bernie Sanders is a prohibitive frontrunner, but Democrats are attacking him only after he has gained momentum; the critique comes too late to stop his rise unless it materially changes voter perceptions. Sanders’s past and present praise for communist and authoritarian regimes is presented as evidence that his ideology is fundamentally anti-American rather than merely left-of-center. Bloomberg’s internal polling suggests Sanders would lose support in battleground House districts and could harm down-ballot Democrats, making him a risky nominee. Sanders has not demonstrated he can bring in large numbers of new voters; early-state contests show he is winning mostly by consolidating existing Democratic voters, not expanding turnout. The Bernie campaign’s online culture, especially aggressive supporters and staffers, is portrayed as toxic and politically damaging to a party that wants to present a kinder image. The coronavirus outbreak is framed as an unpredictable external threat that can damage markets and Trump politically even if the public-health impact in the U.S. remains limited so far.

Data Points: South Carolina primary polling: Biden 27%, Sanders 23% - NBC News poll cited as showing the two candidates effectively tied within the margin of error. Polling margin of error: +/- 6% - Used to emphasize that the South Carolina race is essentially dead even. Battleground House districts poll: Voters in more than 40 battleground districts - Bloomberg campaign poll of competitive Democratic-held House seats. Sanders vs. Trump in battleground districts: Sanders trails by 1 point - Head-to-head result before anti-Sanders messaging is tested. Effect of negative messages on Sanders: Trump gains a 6-point advantage - After respondents are shown criticism of Sanders’s ideology and Senate record. Down-ballot impact: 39% less likely vs. 21% more likely - Voters in competitive districts say they would be less likely, not more likely, to vote Democratic if Sanders is the nominee. Socialism in the Democratic Party: 47% bad / 19% good / 24% no difference - Competitive district voters reacting to increased socialist influence. Coronavirus cases abroad: More than 78,000 infected - Global outbreak status discussed in the economic/health segment. Coronavirus cases in the U.S.: 53 confirmed cases - Used to argue the domestic situation is still limited compared with overseas spread. Emergency funding request: $2.5 billion - White House request for coronavirus response funding. Previously uncommitted funds shifted: $535 million - Additional money to be redirected to the response. Trump market shock: About 1,000 points - Approximate Dow Jones drop tied to coronavirus fears. Small business user base for Stamps.com: Over 700,000 businesses - Sponsor read referencing Stamps.com adoption. NetSuite customer base: More than 19,000 companies - Sponsor read referencing NetSuite usage.

Pivotal Quotes: "Tonight is the final real chance for the Democrats to stop Bernie Sanders." — Ben Shapiro: Opening thesis of the segment on the Democratic debate and Sanders’s rise. "He seems to have found more inspiration in the Soviets, Sandinistas, Chavistas, and Castro than in America." — Biden campaign statement quoted by Ben Shapiro: Biden attack line used to illustrate Democrats finally going after Sanders’s ideology. "China is an authoritarian country, but can anyone deny? ... they have taken more people out of extreme poverty than any country in history." — Ben Shapiro quoting Bernie Sanders: Discussion of Sanders defending China and Shapiro’s rebuttal that China’s growth relied on market reforms.

Implications: The discussion suggests Sanders’s nomination could reshape the Democratic race, weaken down-ballot candidates, and force a late ideological reckoning. It also underscores how external shocks like coronavirus can dominate 2020 politics and markets.