The White Dude Data Complex has been a moral, ethical, and political failure for Democrats, argues Anat-Shenker Osario, an experienced political strategist and progressive messaging consultant who has helped win campaigns.
She’s talking about the incestuous, navel-gazing industry of allegedly “moderate” corporate consultants and commentators who play from behind, remain timid in the face of fascism, and throw people of color and marginalized communities in the bus to court the white voter in the Rust Belt who went for Trump. They plan to be “Republican-lite” on immigration and think that by punting on controversial issues and ignoring “the woke,” they will somehow barely eek out victories.
These are folks who promote “moderate” Senator Elissa Slotkin as the future of the Democratic Party, but will do everything in their power to sideline Zohran Mamdani. They will bear hug a Liz Cheney, but drop kick AOC and Jasmine Crockett. They’ll dine with AIPAC but ignore and silence pro-Palestinian activists. Unfortunately, these folks are currently the feckless Democratic leadership exemplified by the utter uselessness that is Senator Schumer and Rep. Jeffries, who still haven’t endorsed Mamdani.
Shenker-Osario isn’t just basing her conclusions on vibes and feelings. She actually does the work, looks at the numbers, and leads focus groups. She understands human psychology, stories that move people, and the sad reality that most Americans are low-information voters who must be led and invited to a positive message that actually stands for something.
We get nerdy, wonky, angry, and strategic in this conversation. Give us a listen and subscribe to Shenker-Osario’s Words to Win By Substack and podcast.
Thank you Stephanie G Wilson, PhD, Steward Beckham, William Marx, Noble Blend, P. J. Schuster, and many others for tuning into my live video with Anat Shenker-Osorio! Join me for my next live video in the app.
