Cramer's 'Mad Money' Recap: Don't Let Politics Get You Down

With the new Chinese leadership highly incentivized to get things moving quickly, Cramer said he'd play China with the iShares FTSE China 25 (FXI) ETF, which represents a basket of high-quality Chinese stocks from materials to telecom. Best of all, the FXI pays a hefty 4.8% dividend.

Lightning Round

In the Lightning Round, Cramer was bullish on Toro (TTC).

Cramer was bearish on Choice Hotels (CHH), Marvell Technology (MRVL), Alcoa (AA), Stratasys (SSYS) and MarkWest Energy Partners (MWE).

Executive Decision

In the "Executive Decision" segment, Cramer once again spoke with David Demers, CEO of Westport Innovations (WPRT), a natural gas engine maker that's doubled since Cramer first recommended it in January 2010, but also one that's fallen 28% from its highs in August, as hopes for a quick transition to natural gas for heavy trucks faded with an Obama re-election.

Demers said it's important to realize the enormity of the industries Westport and the entire natural gas industry are disrupting. He said everything from the fuel producers, to refiners to filling stations to vehicles and engines all must coordinate in order to make natural gas a prominent surface fuel. Demers noted that while signs may not be visible to the public, things are indeed happening.

When asked about his company's lagging quarterly results, Demers characterized them as merely a pause in the transition. He said while last year was strong, the economy this year has pushed some sales into 2013. Those sales will be coming, he added, saying that the next generation of products, including a long-haul engine, will drive growth throughout next year.

Cramer fell short of offering a recommendation on Westport, continuing to express optimism for the future of natural gas as a surface fuel but noting that the transition has been riddled with delays for years.

No Huddle Offense

In his "No Huddle Offense" segment, Cramer opined on just what it may take in order to achieve a budget deal and avert the fiscal cliff. He said there are three pressure points that could get Congress moving.

The first would be a precipitous market decline, something that would surely get their attention. Second would be a rise in jobless rates, as companies learned during the last slowdown that those who fired first survived the best. Finally, Cramer said the election itself is spurring some change, as the Republican and Democrats have both learned that doing nothing is the quickest way to to get voted out of office.

Cramer said he hopes the message of the election is enough to get things moving before the other two begin to take hold.

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-- Written by Scott Rutt in Washington, D.C.

To email Scott about this article, click here: Scott Rutt

Follow Scott on Twitter @ScottRutt or get updates on Facebook, ScottRuttDC

At the time of publication, Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS held positions in CAT, ETN, FXI.

Jim Cramer, host of the CNBC television program "Mad Money," is a Markets Commentator for TheStreet.com, Inc., and CNBC, and a director and co-founder of TheStreet.com. All opinions expressed by Mr. Cramer on "Mad Money" are his own and do not reflect the opinions of TheStreet.com or its affiliates, or CNBC, NBC Universal or their parent company or affiliates. Mr. Cramer's opinions are based upon information he considers to be reliable, but neither TheStreet.com, nor CNBC, nor either of their affiliates and/or subsidiaries warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. Mr. Cramer's statements are based on his opinions at the time statements are made, and are subject to change without notice. No part of Mr. Cramer's compensation from CNBC or TheStreet.com is related to the specific opinions expressed by him on "Mad Money."

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