Podcast Title: Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Episode: Keeping Kids Off Social Media & Betting on AI for Climate Action (feat. Sen. Brian Schatz)
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Host: Jessica Tarlev
Guest: Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)
Network: Vox Media Podcast Network

Introduction

In this episode of Raging Moderates, host Jessica Tarlev engages in a comprehensive discussion with Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii. The conversation delves into pressing political issues, including the ongoing struggles within the Democratic coalition, legislative efforts to protect children from social media, and innovative approaches using artificial intelligence (AI) to combat climate change. Additionally, Senator Schatz addresses the controversial SignalGate incident involving the mishandling of classified information.

Cory Booker's Marathon Speech and Democratic Unity

The episode opens with a mention of Cory Booker's extended speech on the Senate floor, aiming to set a record. Senator Schatz provides historical context, citing Strom Thurmond's 24-hour filibuster against civil rights as a benchmark. He comments on Booker's intention to highlight the current challenges to democracy, stating:

"Are not in normal times, that there are lots of things that we ought to be able to do on a bipartisan basis... the fight is on now."
(02:36)

Schatz emphasizes the interconnectedness of threats to democracy and economic fairness, criticizing the Republican agenda to double the national debt through unprecedented tax cuts:

"The whole purpose here from the Republican side is to generate enough savings to finance the biggest tax cuts in American history and to double the national debt."
(04:09)

He urges Democrats to unify and adopt a more combative stance against Republican policies, suggesting that political rhetoric has shifted to a more confrontational approach.

Democracy Under Threat and Political Strategy

Jessica Tarlev brings up Senator Schatz's previous remarks from an interview with The New Yorker, highlighting concerns about the resilience of American democracy in the post-2020 political landscape. Senator Schatz responds by drawing parallels between President Vladimir Zelensky's calm leadership amid crisis and the need for Democrats to maintain strategic composure:

"But I do think the most effective way to fight it is to remain calm and strategic and work collectively because this is serious business."
(05:51)

He acknowledges the dual challenge Democrats face: combating democratic erosion while addressing immediate economic issues to win voters back. Schatz criticizes the notion within the Democratic coalition that focusing on democracy threatens economic messaging, advocating instead for a holistic approach:

"We do it all. First of all, people are capable of keeping a couple of things in their head at the same time."
(03:55)

Reconciliation Bill and Fiscal Concerns

The conversation shifts to the Democratic reconciliation bill, where Senator Schatz expresses skepticism about the administration's financial strategies. He critiques the proposal to double the national debt and the misleading presentation of fiscal policies:

"They are going to increase the debt. Not the deficit, by about double. They're gonna cut taxes for trillionaires."
(10:13)

Schatz highlights the Democratic plan to mask fiscal irresponsibility by manipulating policy baselines, arguing that these tactics are transparent and detrimental to the party's credibility:

"That’s their budget plan. And I think if we can't make hay of that, then we should probably dissolve the party and reconstitute ourselves someplace else."
(11:52)

He underscores the importance of protecting programs like Social Security and Medicaid, emphasizing that cutting these benefits would be politically and ethically disastrous.

Social Security War Room and Protecting Benefits

Senator Schatz elaborates on the Democrats' efforts to safeguard Social Security amidst Republican attacks. He recounts his personal connection to the issue, noting the dependency of 300,000 Hawaiians on Social Security and the inadequacy of benefits:

"The average amount is just under $2,000. That is less than a two-bedroom apartment costs in the city of Honolulu."
(12:36)

Schatz introduces the Social Security war room, a collaborative initiative with fellow Democrats like Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden, aimed at countering Republican narratives and legislative attempts to undermine the program. He discusses tactics being used to make Social Security appear ineffective, such as reducing access to services:

"The first step to cutting Social Security is to get everybody to believe two things. First, that it sucks."
(14:51)

He firmly rejects means testing as a solution, advocating instead for equitable taxation of all income for Social Security purposes:

"Every dollar of income is taxed for Social Security purposes... fair is fair."
(17:37)

Schatz warns that associating Social Security solely with low-income individuals makes it vulnerable to attacks, stressing the necessity of universal support.

Bipartisan Bill to Regulate Social Media for Children

The discussion moves to Senator Schatz's collaboration with Senator Ted Cruz on the Kids Off Social Media Act. Despite Cruz's conservative stance, the bill garners bipartisan support due to widespread parental concerns about children's exposure to social media. Schatz outlines the bill's objectives:

"I cannot find a parent who is in favor of permitting a kid, a 9-year-old, to be on TikTok or Instagram or anything else."
(29:38)

He emphasizes the negative impacts of social media on children, including increased anxiety, sedentary behavior, and polarization:

"It's directly correlated to being anxious, it is directly correlated to being sedentary... unhealthy relationships."
(29:38)

Senator Schatz praises the simplicity of the bill and its universal appeal, countering Big Tech's pushback by asserting the fundamental need to protect children's wellbeing:

"I would be a little worried if I weren't getting any pushback because I'd be thinking, well, what do they know that I don't?"
(31:46)

He remains optimistic about the bill's passage, highlighting its common-sense approach that transcends partisan lines.

AI-Driven Solutions for Climate Change

Senator Schatz discusses the potential of AI in addressing climate change, acknowledging the significant energy requirements of AI technologies and the necessity of transitioning to clean energy sources:

"They are going to need lots of new generation. It's unclear in the short run whether or not we're going to be able to provide that generation with clean energy."
(33:34)

He envisions a smart grid where AI optimizes energy distribution and consumption, reducing waste and enhancing efficiency:

"AI can find where you're wasting energy and help you to not waste that energy without any diminishment of the kind of service that you're getting."
(34:48)

Schatz balances his enthusiasm with caution, noting concerns about AI's impact on employment and creative industries, yet remains committed to leveraging AI for governmental and environmental improvements.

SignalGate Incident and National Security Concerns

A significant portion of the episode addresses the SignalGate controversy, where classified information was reportedly shared via the encrypted messaging app, Signal. Senator Schatz vehemently criticizes the mishandling of sensitive data, drawing stark comparisons to similar breaches by former presidents:

"These were operational plans, and people could have died. Our people could have died."
(20:31)

He condemns the use of Signal to bypass critical protocols, emphasizing the severe implications for national security:

"They are on their heels. They have no excuse for this."
(21:56)

Schatz warns that such incidents erode public trust and highlights the incompetence at the presidential level, drawing parallels to the Afghanistan withdrawal and its impact on President Biden’s approval ratings. He stresses the need for Democrats to maintain a strong opposition stance, using SignalGate as evidence of the current administration's failures:

"He actually doesn't know how to govern at all. And that incompetence is gonna come home to roost in terms of people's personal safety and security and hope in the future."
(22:43)

Political Strategy and Democratic Oppositional Tactics

Senator Schatz reflects on the Democratic Party's transition to the minority and the necessity of a unified opposition. He commends fellow Democrats who engage directly with Republican strongholds through town halls, a tactic he deems more effective than online posts:

"People Democrats going into Republican U.S. house districts and holding town halls... that one is an absolute political killer."
(28:08)

Schatz underscores the importance of aligning internal party strategies to present a cohesive front against Republican policies, acknowledging past communication failures and the need for improved grassroots connections:

"If we're going to be an effective opposition party... we gotta get better because we gotta learn how to be a more effective opposition party."
(27:38)

AI for Climate Action and Future Prospects

In discussing AI's role in climate action, Senator Schatz outlines ambitious plans to integrate AI into energy management systems. He envisions a future where AI-driven negawatt strategies—focusing on energy conservation—complement traditional clean energy initiatives:

"The use case for smart grid and clean energy implementation... really exciting."
(34:27)

He advocates for government initiatives to harness AI's potential in reducing energy waste and enhancing the efficiency of renewable energy sources, while remaining mindful of AI's broader societal impacts.

Final Thoughts: Rage and Calm

Concluding the episode, Senator Schatz shares personal sentiments on issues that deeply frustrate him and those he believes warrant a calmer approach. His primary frustration lies with the USAID defunding, which he views as directly resulting in preventable suffering:

"Thousands of kids every week are getting HIV AIDS from their mom because we've basically turned off the spigot on the program called pepfar."
(35:44)

Conversely, he advises maintaining composure regarding provocative political moves, such as Trump's discussions of a third term, to avoid falling into reactive traps set by the administration:

"I think that when the vibes are bad... we should not take the bait."
(35:44)

Senator Schatz underscores the importance of focus and strategic calm in navigating the turbulent political landscape, urging listeners to prioritize substantive issues over sensational distractions.

Conclusion

This episode of Raging Moderates offers an in-depth exploration of Senator Brian Schatz's perspectives on safeguarding democracy, protecting Social Security, regulating social media for children, and leveraging AI for climate action. Through incisive dialogue, Schatz articulates the challenges and strategic responses necessary for the Democratic Party to navigate its minority status and confront the current administration's policies. Listeners gain valuable insights into the intersection of policy, technology, and political strategy from one of the Senate's leading progressive voices.

Notable Quotes:

• Sen. Schatz on Republican Fiscal Policies:
  "The whole purpose here from the Republican side is to generate enough savings to finance the biggest tax cuts in American history and to double the national debt."
  (04:09)

• Sen. Schatz on Social Security Protection:
  "We are going to fight to keep Social Security."
  (14:53)

• Sen. Schatz on SignalGate:
  "There was an improper handling of operational plans... people could have died."
  (20:31)

• Sen. Schatz on Democratic Unity:
  "If we're going to be an effective opposition party... we gotta get better because we gotta learn how to be a more effective opposition party."
  (27:38)

This detailed summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the key discussions and insights shared by Senator Brian Schatz.