Each week Editorial and Opinion Editor Jeanne Mariani-Belding hosts The Hot Seat, our opinion-page blog that brings in elected leaders and people in the news and lets you ask the questions during a live online chat.

On The Hot Seat last week was Brian Schatz, chairman of the Democratic Party and spokesman for Barack Obama's Hawai'i campaign. Here is an excerpt from that Hot Seat session. To see the full conversation, go to The Hot Seat blog at: http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com.

James: Do the Democrats have any responsibility in encouraging a two-party system? Do you feel the Democrats have done a good job in the last four years, as the dominant political power structure? I feel we are still dealing with the same problems we have been talking about for generations, schools, affordable housing and it just feels like more of the same.

Brian Schatz: We thought about this last year, when we felt that our job was to provide as many good choices in terms of candidates for office as we possibly could. We had Democrats running in 49 out of the 51 state House Districts statewide, hoping that we could have an exciting battle of ideas. The problem was that by the filing deadline there were more than 20 seats that the Republicans didn't contest at all which meant that more than 40 percent of the state House was re-elected automatically.

Our end of the bargain is to focus on the issues that are important to people — economic recovery, energy self-sufficiency, and public education and health. But we can't have a healthy public debate without contested elections. In other words, you can't win the game if you don't even suit up.

Taylor: I believe the current system in Hawai'i is unhealthy. There are too many incumbents running unopposed, even those with poor records. What are you doing to change this and bring vibrancy to the system?

Schatz: I spent a good deal of last year working on trying to revitalize our political system in two ways: First, by supporting the movement and the candidacy around President Barack Obama. In addition to providing much-needed policy changes, Obama's campaign empowered millions of people to make a difference not just in the national election but in their communities.

Second, I worked hard recruiting and training candidates for office, some of whom are now serving in the state House and Senate. I think you will be pleased with the performances of Jessica Wooley, Mark Nakashima, Denny Coffman, Chris Lee and others as they, and more seasoned young members of the Legislature such as Pono Chong, Marcus Oshiro and Sylvia Luke, continue to rise.

Jason: I am really bugged by the idea that the state Legislature would take Honolulu's rail tax money. Isn't it bad policy to take money that's specifically set aside for one purpose and use it for something else? It just seems like a lack of leadership.

Schatz: The voters on O'ahu have spoken, and they support rail. Now we need to focus on doing it right. Whether you were originally for it or not, it still presents tremendous opportunities for us to improve the quality of life on the island of O'ahu. Not only can it ease congestion, but we can revitalize areas such as Kalihi and develop transit-oriented developments that provide housing, employment and recreation in the same area. For those of us who are concerned with the sustainability of our islands, this may be our best chance.

But the rail battle is over, now we need to build the project as efficiently and intelligently as possible, and not get bogged down with political battles.

Blake: What are your thoughts about extending/ suspending Act 221?

Schatz: I believe that on the whole Act 221 has been successful in creating high-paying technology jobs and launching a new industry. However, any time you have incentives for businesses, there are likely to be unscrupulous individuals who attempt to game the system. They should be stopped by the tax department, and if that's not possible administratively, then it's reasonable to look at how the act might be improved by the Legislature. It's a good program, but in this budget environment everything must be scrutinized.

Milo Smith: A lot of public works projects could be economic stimulus during Hawai'i's recession: the city's $5 billion rail project, the state's $4 billion highways project, hundreds of millions of dollars scheduled for school repairs. Which do you think will be the most effective?

Schatz: I don't believe I'm qualified to tell you which of each of these so-called "shovel ready" projects would have the most positive impact, but I do believe that as the private sector construction slows to a near halt, we must inject as much public capital into the system as possible to keep people employed. These are all vital public works projects and I believe we are in a position to fund them all.

The stimulus will help, but it's the beginning of an economic program that President Obama plans to implement that includes regulatory changes and additional injections of capital as necessary.

C.J.: Honolulu's rail transit project is always top-of-mind these days. What is the state Democratic Party's position on rail transit? How do you personally feel about the rail transit project?

Schatz: The Democratic Party supports the rail transit project. This was adopted as a resolution during our State Convention in the summer of 2008.

I'm personally a strong supporter of rail, and voted for it when I was in the Legislature. I believe that it will help to ease traffic congestion, help to stimulate our economy at this critical time, and help with the sustainability of O'ahu, because it will enable people to live, work and play along the transit line.

Andrew: What position is the Democratic Party taking in the upcoming Supreme Court case involving the sale of ceded lands?

Schatz: I was surprised and disappointed that the administration has decided to push this case to the U.S. Supreme Court. I understand that the state believes it has to protect its ability to manage its lands, but the argument that is being made is shocking. The state of Hawai'i is arguing that the Apology Resolution lacks the force of law, and essentially doesn't count, and that Hawaiians have no legal claim to ceded lands. That's really a radical claim, because if they are successful, it would leave Hawaiians with no negotiating leverage over ceded lands, and it could potentially undermine other Hawaiian programs and organizations.

Tina: What's up with Obama's Cabinet appointments? They seem to all have tax troubles. Do you know what the process is for these appointments? Any background checks before declaring the appointment?

Schatz: I'm hopeful that there will be no additional Cabinet appointments with tax issues, because it distracts us from the important work that the administration has to accomplish. But on the whole, his Cabinet is one of the most competent and experienced groups we've seen in decades, with Larry Summers, Secretary of State Clinton, the Republican Senator Judd Gregg from New Hampshire.

James: There was a great turnout for the Democratic caucus, but what is the Democratic Party going to do to keep these new voters involved in the party? Also, is the party grooming candidates for the 2010 and 2012 elections?

Schatz: Our party grew from 21,000 members to 51,000 members last year, and we saw unprecedented enthusiasm. We are currently formulating plans to keep up the level of engagement, especially among the newer members. That means we've got to communicate with them about ways to influence the system, including participating in community organizations, lobbying the Legislature and the county councils, and preparing for the 2010 elections.

We've got a lot of work to do, and we still feel a high level of enthusiasm from our members. Our job is to communicate with them about how to stay engaged.

Stephen: We all know that Inouye and Akaka are getting along in years and that Abercrombie is looking at coming back to Hawai'i. Is there a plan that the Democratic Party has to fill these gaps? We are soon going to be left without a senior (congressional representative) in office.

Schatz: The Democratic Party is committed to building a grassroots network that can support our candidates and our issues. And my strong belief is that our Congressional delegation has never been more influential, and they should serve as long as they possibly can.

When openings occur, there will no doubt be a rush for these seats, but the party is in no position to centrally plan who gets what, because we're not a private corporation, we are a political party, which means in the end, the voters get to decide, and that's a positive thing.

Democrats in Hawai'i and nationally get very worried about contested primaries, but the fact is that the tough contest between senators Clinton, Obama, Edwards and Biden attracted a lot of enthusiastic voters, it's good for democracy and that's one of the reasons that Barack Obama is president. By the time he had emerged from the field, he was ready for the opposition. In this case, I doubt that there will be only one candidate running for governor, and if we have a contest, then we as a party just have to be prepared to support whoever emerges.

Jo: How can schools absorb the cuts when they are already working with so little? Any thoughts?

Schatz: I believe strongly that education is the last place that we ought to cut, but the choices we face are between bad options and worse options. I am hopeful that public education can remain mostly unscathed through this difficult period, but it's not clear to me whether or not that will be possible.

Nanakuli Bill: If the Akaka bill, favored by the Democrats, is passed and a Hawaiian nation is established, will the Democrats support legislation requiring they pay their fair share of state expenses?

Schatz: Since President Obama is on record supporting the Akaka bill, and I think it's likely that we will see it pass this year or next. This legislation is critical to protect native Hawaiian organizations and programs from attacks. Without it, Kamehameha Schools, the Alii Trusts and OHA could be undermined by the U.S. Supreme Court. What comes after the legislation is going to be a long process — literally defining what relationship the Hawaiian people have with the United States — who its members are, what their resources are, and who governs it. But first, it must become law, and then a series of processes kick into gear.

Downnout: What are the Democrats going to do about all the foreclosures and layoffs?

Schatz: On the national level, I believe that the economic stimulus must pass as soon as possible. For Hawai'i, the White House estimates that the stimulus package will create 17,000 jobs, 90 percent of which will be in the private sector. No legislation is perfect, and anything that spends this amount of money is likely to be open for criticism, but we are facing an unprecedented fiscal and economic crisis, and the stimulus package will help us to fill some of the holes in our state and county budgets, and inject much-needed capital into the economy. I'm hopeful that there can be a bipartisan solution.

On foreclosures, the Obama administration is considering measures that would actually force interest rates down to the 4 percent range, which would be a tremendous help for homeowners having difficulty paying their mortgage, and would free up capital as people choose to refinance their existing mortgages.

On the local level, increasing eligibility for food stamps and unemployment makes sense, and increasing the volume and velocity of public works projects can help to mitigate some of the downturn. We also have to stay focused on some of our long-term issues even as we ride out this storm — energy and food self sufficiency, and economic diversity.

Makahaside: Democrats are known as being compassionate. What do you think about them sending the homeless on a one-way flight back to the Mainland?

Schatz: Simply put, I think that's a bad idea. I doubt very much that this proposal will go far.