Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Episode: The GOP’s Unpopular and Harmful Bill (ft. Galen Druke)
Release Date: July 2, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Raging Moderates, host Jessica Tarlov engages in a deep dive discussion with political strategist and podcasting veteran Galen Druke. The conversation centers around the recent Senate passage of a significant GOP bill spearheaded by former President Donald Trump, its unpopularity among Americans, the Democratic Party’s strategic challenges, the surprising primary win by Zoran Mandani in New York, and the Supreme Court's impactful rulings affecting the balance of power in Washington.

The GOP's Controversial Domestic Agenda Bill

The episode begins with Jessica outlining the high-stakes environment surrounding the GOP's recently passed domestic agenda bill. This comprehensive package includes:

• Tax Cuts: Aimed at stimulating economic growth but criticized for disproportionately benefiting the wealthy.
• Spending Changes: Significant alterations to federal spending priorities.
• Medicaid Overhauls: Potentially affecting up to 17 million Americans by introducing work requirements and rolling back Obamacare credits.

Galen Druke provides an analysis based on polling data, highlighting the bill’s overwhelming unpopularity:

"On average, the bill is 25 percentage points underwater, making it more unpopular than any major legislation since at least 1990." ([05:04])

He references research from the Yale Budget Lab and remarks on the potential long-term negative impacts:

"If this does pass, it will be history-making in that sense." ([05:04])

Key Points Discussed:

• Economic Disparities: The bottom 20% of taxpayers might see an additional $560 annually, while top earners could gain $6,000.
• Job Threats: Trade unions express concerns over millions of jobs being at risk due to the bill’s provisions.
• Deficit Concerns: The bill is projected to add trillions to the national deficit.
• Energy Impact: Senator Schott's assertion that the bill will generate 500 gigawatts less energy over the next decade is critiqued as detrimental to energy sustainability efforts.

Galen emphasizes the Democratic Party’s predicament in countering this bill, noting the lack of a robust counter-proposal:

"Democrats have found themselves on the wrong side of public opinion frequently recently." ([05:04])

Public Perception and Democratic Strategy

Galen discusses how the public views the bill and the Democratic Party’s strategic responses:

"Health care is an increasingly salient issue for Americans overall and Democrats in particular." ([05:04])

He explains the shifting support for work requirements in Medicaid:

"In a recent New York Times poll, 51% of Democrats support work requirements." ([05:04])

Jessica raises concerns about the Democratic Party's lack of a compelling counterproposal, allowing Republicans to push through unpopular measures without significant opposition.

"Why haven't we shown up with our spending bill just to say these are where our priorities lie?" ([11:16])

Galen responds by highlighting the challenges Democrats face in offering constructive alternatives while remaining in opposition:

"One of the great joys of being in the opposition is you don't have to offer your own ideas that then get criticized." ([11:16])

Zoran Mandani’s Surprise Primary Win in New York

The discussion shifts to the Democratic primary in New York City, where Zoran Mandani’s unexpected victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo has stirred various reactions.

Jessica reflects on Mandani’s campaign strategies and Cuomo’s ineffective campaign efforts:

"Mandani didn't shy away from any of his positions and sat down face to face with people who disagreed with him." ([26:12])

Galen analyzes the implications of Mandani’s win, suggesting it may not yet represent the median voter in New York City due to the closed primary system and low overall turnout:

"Mandani didn’t really take right positions, but he did focus heavily on affordability, which is crucial for many Democrats." ([26:12])

Key Insights:

• Voter Base: Mandani garnered support primarily from Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.
• Electability Concerns: Despite his primary win, Galen doubts Mandani’s viability in the general election against more moderate candidates like Eric Adams.
• Campaign Style: Mandani’s straightforward, issue-focused campaign mirrors Donald Trump’s approach in 2016, emphasizing key points like affordability to resonate with voters.

Supreme Court’s Ruling and Its Impact on Balance of Power

Later in the episode, Jessica and Galen discuss the Supreme Court’s recent landmark ruling, which limits the power of lower courts to issue nationwide injunctions. This decision has significant implications for presidential powers and the judiciary’s role in checking executive actions.

Galen elaborates on how this ruling affects both Republican and Democratic agendas:

"This caps off a remarkable term for Trump in court, where his administration won a series of emergency rulings." ([50:10])

He explains that while this ruling benefits current Republican strategies, it sets a complicated precedent for future administrations:

"It reshapes the balance of power between the judiciary and the executive, potentially leading to a patchwork of laws across states." ([50:50])

Public Opinion Insights:

Galen references polling data indicating that:

• 50% of Americans believe the president has too much power.
• 30% are concerned that federal courts hold too much power.

This disparity highlights potential public discontent with the current separation of powers, irrespective of party lines.

"Americans are more concerned about the president having too much power than the federal courts." ([50:50])

Jessica adds that the court's recent decisions, particularly on contentious social issues like transgender rights in sports, have deepened partisan divides:

"The court affirmed rulings aligning with public opinion on several key issues, reflecting a shift in judicial alignment with societal views." ([56:00])

Future Political Landscape and Electoral Implications

Toward the end of the episode, Jessica and Galen explore the potential outcomes of the 2026 midterms and the broader political landscape leading up to 2028.

Galen expresses skepticism about immediate lessons Democrats might take from current events, emphasizing that midterm performance doesn't necessarily predict presidential election outcomes:

"Performance in the midterms has no correlation to performance in the presidential two years later." ([19:13])

He speculates on the cyclical nature of debt and deficit issues resurfacing every 15 years, potentially becoming a focal point in future elections.

Jessica, reflecting on her conversation with Nate Silver, questions why both she and Galen selected AOC as the 2028 Democratic nominee, considering her moderate preferences. Galen clarifies that their choice was based on who might be likely to win the nomination rather than who would best align with practical political strategies.

"AOC has the best of anybody out there, but I don't think she has more than a 50% chance of being the next Democratic nominee." ([40:48])

They discuss the necessity for the Democratic Party to present a more populist and anti-establishment candidate to energize the base and attract independent voters.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reflection on the current state of American politics, the shifting dynamics within the Democratic and Republican parties, and the significant influence of Supreme Court decisions on the balance of power. Jessica and Galen underscore the challenges ahead for both parties in navigating public opinion, legislative priorities, and the judiciary's role in shaping future policies.

Notable Quotes:

• Galen Druke on Bill Unpopularity:
  "According to this analysis, that makes the bill more unpopular than any piece of major legislation passed since least 1990." ([05:04])

• Jessica Tarlov on Democratic Counterproposal:
  "Why haven't we shown up with our spending bill just to say these are where our priorities lie." ([11:16])

• Galen Druke on Supreme Court Rulings:
  "This caps off a remarkable term for Trump in court, where his administration won a series of emergency rulings." ([50:10])

• Galen Druke on Public Concern:
  "Americans are more concerned about the president having too much power than the federal courts." ([50:50])

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and the interplay between legislative actions and public opinion, all through the lens of centrist analysis.