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Anat Shenker-Osorio

@anatosaurus.bsky.social

28K followers 390 following 2K posts

Host of Words to Win By, a podcast about progressive wins around the world and how we achieved them. https://wordstowinby-pod.com/ Researcher, message maker, campaign strategist to progressive and Democratic causes here and abroad.

wordstowinby-pod.com

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · Oct 21

New around here, hi! For those who'd like a big old dose of "yes we can" energy, please check out Words to Win By where every episode details a campaign we've won somewhere and delves into the research, messaging & strategies used to do it.
wordstowinby-pod.com

Words to Win By

Words to Win By, formerly Brave New Words, takes listeners on a journey around the globe with renowned communications researcher and campaign advisor Anat Shenker-Osorio as she unpacks real-world narr...

wordstowinby-pod.com

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 9h

Courage. Tenacity. Moral fortitude. Pass it on.

New York Attorney General Letitia James @newyorkstateag.bsky.social · 10h

This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.

I am not fearful — I am fearless.

We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights..

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 13h

Absolutely essential explanation on why just because the most people care the most about pocketbook concerns doesn't necessarily mean that emphasizing those (especially to exclusion of other things) is a winning strategy.

Nathan Kalmoe (he/him) @nathankalmoe.bsky.social · 15h

I provided comments for this article on WI Dems messaging. I wrote a lot, and naturally most couldn't fit here, so I'll 🧵 my extended comments: 1/

wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/10/09/a...

‘Affordability’ becomes a watchword as Democrats look to 2026 elections • Wisconsin Examiner

Whether focused on a particular issue or the cost everything, making things "affordable" is central to many Democrats' 2026 campaigns.

wisconsinexaminer.com

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 16h

I don't think NEON did hard copies. Sorry!!!

Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 17h

Thanks! Fun fact, a few years ago our team helped do bring what we call the Race Class Narrative to the UK and Zack was extensively trained in it. neweconomyorganisers.org/resources/uk...

UK Race Class Narrative Report | NEON - New Economy Organisers Network

neweconomyorganisers.org

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Reposted by Anat Shenker-Osorio

James A. Robichaux @jamesrobichaux.bsky.social · 1d

Right, and @anatosaurus.bsky.social, whom everyone should follow, has a great essay recently that covers that topic.

Democratic Party strategists treat public opinion as if it is calcified, whereas Republican Party strategists understand that it is SHAPED.

www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...

Bringing a Survey to a Gun Fight

“Pollingism” Has Failed Democrats and Voters. Here’s Why, and What to Do Instead.

www.weekendreading.net

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Reposted by Anat Shenker-Osorio

Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 2d

California! Yes on Prop 50!!!

Katniss Everdeen of Hunger Games stands with a bow and arrow in a forrest. In front of her are the words "Beat THE MUNGER GAMES" and below "May the odds, and the MAPS, be forever in our favor!" Vote Yes on Prop 50

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Reposted by Anat Shenker-Osorio

Michael Podhorzer @mikepod.bsky.social · 1d

Join me and @anatosaurus.bsky.social at 1pm today! We'll discuss the new Roberts Court term and Anat's vital new piece about why "Pollingism" has failed Democrats and voters (www.weekendreading.net/p/bringing-a...)

open.substack.com/live-stream/...

LIVE SOON: Meeting the Moment with Anat Shenker-Osorio

Starting Oct 8 at 1:00 PM EDT

open.substack.com

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 2d

You better warm up those vocal chords!

Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 2d

New name a friend coined for endless "concern" batteries in surveys that folks love to ask: Susan Collins Questions. And they're about that useful.

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 2d

Good note. We're playing around with stuff right now.

Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 2d

California! Yes on Prop 50!!!

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 2d

California, may the odds (and the maps) be forever in our favor!
#YesOnProp50

Charles Munger Jr sitting on a thrown with clown makeup and green hair, ornate costume, made to look like Hunger Games Villain. Text across his chest reads, "The Munger Games" and speech bubble reads "vote 'no' on Prop 50"

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Reposted by Anat Shenker-Osorio

Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 3d

Last big program I helped run, we targeted AND MOVED a much higher proportion of former Trump voters than much larger, mainstream programs. The same goes for flipping folks in other countries. It's not about left vs mod, it's about whether you're ready to run on values, build a choir, & persuade. /1

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 2d

Absolutely!!! This is why I pushed to little avail to call the budget the MAGA Murder Bill rather than try school yard taunts like "Big Ugly Bill" that don't lay out the stakes. What you want a slogan to do is force attention and frame such that upon repetition people understand stakes.

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Reposted by Anat Shenker-Osorio

Jen Mercieca @jenmercieca.bsky.social · 3d

This is a long, thoughtful, and brilliant post about how to understand political campaigning & strategy from one of the progressive left's most brilliant thinkers and practitioners @anatosaurus.bsky.social. Read it and listen to her: Bringing a Survey to a Gun Fight open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...

Bringing a Survey to a Gun Fight

“Pollingism” Has Failed Democrats and Voters. Here’s Why, and What to Do Instead.

open.substack.com

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 3d

Yes, pretty much ever green. This is really why I say - if you want to touch a nerve, you have to touch a nerve. And yeah healthcare *seems* like it would!!! But there's a reason that back in day "death panels" actually DID. Healthcare/Medicare/Medicaid is policy not life/death.

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 3d

Our colleagues use social listening tools to track across most popular platforms which topics and conversations are breaking through and shutdown is completely off public radar. Very hard for political folks (like me!!!) to believe. Shutdown is process convo; voters basically never tune into that.

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 3d

Thank you for reading this admittedly long essay. And for telling others about it.

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 3d

Good friend says "if you want to score a goal you have to MOVE the ball." And I add, "not simply lament that it's over there on the wrong side of the field."

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 3d

In the film, a bad ass crew of revolutionaries takes on the white supremacist regime head on.

Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 3d

As a rejoinder to anti-trans and anti-immigrant rhetoric:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bqP...

Superhuman

YouTube video by Way to Win Action Fund

www.youtube.com

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 3d

In fuller form from our closing argument in 2022, where we kept the "red wave" from full fruition by arguing to Protect Our Freedoms:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3L6...

Freedom for All

YouTube video by Way to Win Action Fund

www.youtube.com

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 3d

German transit union also applied this approach. See here (with subtitles!)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDx7...

🎥 Wir fahren zusammen – Wir streiken zusammen! 🚌

YouTube video by Fridays for Future DE

www.youtube.com

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 3d

What does that mean in practice?
Here it is from the UK's Green Party Leader taking far right Nigel Farage head on instead of affirming his argument by also shaming & blaming immigrants:
www.instagram.com/p/DOSgymijDHm/

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 3d

Doing that requires having a clear, compelling, consistent story not list of milquetoast promises without actions. And it requires naming your villains. Lay it on straight: Someone DID take your job/healthcare/pension. Wanna know who took your money? It's the people with all the money. /2

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