Podcast Summary: The Blueprint with Jen Psaki – "Why are we so Cautious? with Jack Schlossberg"

Release Date: February 10, 2025

Introduction

In the latest episode of The Blueprint with Jen Psaki, host Jen Psaki engages in a candid and insightful conversation with Jack Schlossberg, a prominent writer and political correspondent. At 32, Jack brings a unique perspective as the son of Caroline Kennedy and the grandson of President John F. Kennedy. Over the course of their discussion, Jack delves into the challenges Democrats face in the current political climate, especially in engaging young voters and combating the effective strategies employed by conservative voices online.

Social Media Strategy and Experimentation

Jack Schlossberg opens the conversation by highlighting the critical role of social media in modern political discourse. He emphasizes the necessity for Democrats to adopt more bold and sometimes controversial approaches to break through the saturated online environment.

Jack Schlossberg [01:09]: "I don't know that we've come up with our own style of being funny and taking risks. People talk a lot about how we lost Democrats, lost young men this election. I think a huge part of that is like not because we focus on the wrong policies, but because we seem so risk averse and we seem so cautious."

Jack shares his personal experiments with social media, including provocative tweets and satirical claims, such as asserting he is Justin Baldoni's lawyer. These actions are designed to test the spread of misinformation and observe how disinformation travels online.

Jack Schlossberg [07:00]: "I think it's funny that people believe something so stupid or something so easily corroborated... If we're too scared to say something like that, then what happens when something that really matters happens?"

Election Losses and Messaging Challenges

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the Democrats' performance in the 2024 elections, particularly their inability to resonate with young voters. Jack attributes these losses not to policy failures but to a lack of dynamic and engaging communication strategies.

Jack Schlossberg [13:18]: "The Internet is like a nuanced destruction machine... There's no room for anything ever. Don't waste your time. If you're going to tweet something out, make it so extreme."

He further critiques the Democratic Party's messaging as too restrained and policy-focused, lacking the relatable and diverse content that appeals to a broader audience.

Jack Schlossberg [16:55]: "Young people are like any other people. They need to be given clear arguments and reasons why they should support a candidate or a party."

Engagement Strategies and Content Flooding

Jen Psaki and Jack explore the importance of flooding social media platforms with varied and engaging content. Jack advocates for a mix of controversial and softer content to capture and retain audience attention.

Jack Schlossberg [30:31]: "I think that it seems like the candidates who have done well on the Democratic side have been able to kind of pick their own brand of being a Democrat... They need to be just making tons and tons of videos."

Jack underscores the necessity of constant experimentation and content creation to stay relevant and competitive against the well-entrenched conservative online presence.

Trolling, Authenticity, and Balancing Act

The conversation shifts to Jack's approach to trolling and maintaining authenticity online. He explains that his playful and sometimes provocative online persona is a strategic attempt to engage diverse audiences and challenge prevailing narratives.

Jack Schlossberg [36:12]: "If we don't make fun of them and if we don't have our own ideas and we just say that they're bad, then we deserve to lose."

Jen Psaki probes the delicate balance between adhering to political norms and embracing a more authentic and sometimes irreverent online presence. Jack responds by emphasizing the importance of being genuine and adaptable in the evolving digital landscape.

Media Landscape and Influence

Jack provides a critical analysis of the current media environment, pointing out the overwhelming influence of conservative-leaning social media platforms and their symbiotic relationship with traditional media outlets.

Jack Schlossberg [27:26]: "Social media companies are all working with the Trump administration... This is like the biggest propaganda machine that's ever been invented."

He calls for a coordinated and continuous online campaign from Democrats to counteract the pervasive right-wing propaganda and regain influence over the cultural narrative.

Future Steps for Democrats

As the episode draws to a close, Jack shares his optimistic view on the potential for Democrats to revamp their communication strategies. He highlights the importance of leveraging diverse media platforms and fostering authentic connections with voters.

Jack Schlossberg [31:03]: "Literally half the battle is just getting stuff out there, try things."

Jen Psaki encourages Democratic candidates to embrace varied and frequent content creation to enhance their visibility and appeal, especially among younger demographics.

Concluding Thoughts

The Blueprint with Jen Psaki wraps up with a forward-looking discussion on rebuilding the Democratic Party's online presence. Jack expresses hope in the resilience and creativity of Democrats to adapt and thrive in the digitally dominated political arena.

Jack Schlossberg [42:49]: "It's propaganda being used against people, and I'm not gonna sit by and let that happen unanswered."

Jen Psaki commends Jack for his innovative approaches and underscores the necessity for Democrats to stay engaged, authentic, and proactive in their communication efforts moving forward.

Notable Quotes

1. Jack Schlossberg [01:09]: "I don't know that we've come up with our own style of being funny and taking risks. People talk a lot about how we lost Democrats, lost young men this election. I think a huge part of that is like not because we focus on the wrong policies, but because we seem so risk averse and we seem so cautious."

2. Jack Schlossberg [07:00]: "I think it's funny that people believe something so stupid or something so easily corroborated... If we're too scared to say something like that, then what happens when something that really matters happens?"

3. Jack Schlossberg [13:18]: "The Internet is like a nuanced destruction machine... There's no room for anything ever. Don't waste your time. If you're going to tweet something out, make it so extreme."

4. Jack Schlossberg [27:26]: "Social media companies are all working with the Trump administration... This is like the biggest propaganda machine that's ever been invented."

5. Jack Schlossberg [31:03]: "Literally half the battle is just getting stuff out there, try things."

6. Jack Schlossberg [42:49]: "It's propaganda being used against people, and I'm not gonna sit by and let that happen unanswered."

Conclusion

This episode of The Blueprint with Jen Psaki offers a deep dive into the strategic communication challenges facing the Democratic Party. Through Jack Schlossberg's bold experimentation and critical insights, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the urgent need for more dynamic and authentic engagement strategies to connect with younger voters and counteract the dominant conservative narratives online.

For those interested in the future trajectory of Democratic communication and strategy, this episode provides valuable perspectives and actionable ideas to consider.