Catie Bailard
@catiebailard.bsky.social
Political scientist, associate professor of political communication in SMPA @ GW, co-director of Institute for Data, Democracy, & Politcs, SF sports fan. Research interests mostly focus on the intersection of ICT and (threats to) democracy.
Reposted by Catie Bailard
Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once.
The valiant never taste of death but once.
November 10, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once.
The valiant never taste of death but once.
And in the end, it was the frog that saved us all.
October 14, 2025 at 2:38 AM
And in the end, it was the frog that saved us all.
Interesting timing for this to be popping up on people’s feeds…
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne are giving $100 million to the UCSF children’s hospital. Salesforce is also pledging $39 million for AI education to groups including SFUSD.
Benioffs, Salesforce give $139 million to UCSF and AI education
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne are giving $100 million to the UCSF children’s hospital. Salesforce is also pledging $39 million for AI education to groups including SFUSD.
bit.ly
October 11, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Interesting timing for this to be popping up on people’s feeds…
Reposted by Catie Bailard
Looked at my data collections for state-backed activity. If the report were a picture:
September 13, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Looked at my data collections for state-backed activity. If the report were a picture:
This is the take. I am sad for his family and for the tragic loss of life to violence. But that does not prevent us from being clear-eyed about who he was & the effect he had, especially on the vulnerable populations who were his primary targets. You can hold both in your heart and mind.
Charlie Kirk’s Legacy Deserves No Mourning
The white Christian nationalist provocateur wasn’t a promoter of civil discourse. He preached hate, bigotry, and division
www.thenation.com
September 13, 2025 at 3:16 AM
This is the take. I am sad for his family and for the tragic loss of life to violence. But that does not prevent us from being clear-eyed about who he was & the effect he had, especially on the vulnerable populations who were his primary targets. You can hold both in your heart and mind.
Reposted by Catie Bailard
Curious to know about where IDDP is headed? In a Q&A with GW Today, @catiebailard.bsky.social and @ethanvporter.bsky.social spoke about their vision for the Institute. Read it at gwtoday.gwu.edu/q-new-co-directors-gws-institute-data-democracy-and-politics.
Q & A with the New Co-Directors of GW’s Institute for Data, Democracy and Politics | GW Today | The George Washington University
As co-directors, Bailard and Porter aim to strengthen IDDP’s role in supporting informed public dialogue.
gwtoday.gwu.edu
September 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Curious to know about where IDDP is headed? In a Q&A with GW Today, @catiebailard.bsky.social and @ethanvporter.bsky.social spoke about their vision for the Institute. Read it at gwtoday.gwu.edu/q-new-co-directors-gws-institute-data-democracy-and-politics.
Reposted by Catie Bailard
Our first post! And what better way to mark this occasion than by announcing the start of a new chapter at IDDP. Last month @catiebailard.bsky.social and @ethanvporter.bsky.social stepped in as the Institute's Co-Director's. Read their full statement at iddp.gwu.edu/about.
About | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
IDDP’s mission is to help the public, journalists, and policymakers understand digital media’s influence on public dialogue and opinion.
iddp.gwu.edu
September 9, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Our first post! And what better way to mark this occasion than by announcing the start of a new chapter at IDDP. Last month @catiebailard.bsky.social and @ethanvporter.bsky.social stepped in as the Institute's Co-Director's. Read their full statement at iddp.gwu.edu/about.
Purely speculative theory: He’s the one the police were called about after an incident with a woman, he fled when the police arrived, the police gave chase, and they ended up hitting him from behind in a tactical maneuver. Only thing that makes that non-sensical statement make sense.
September 1, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Purely speculative theory: He’s the one the police were called about after an incident with a woman, he fled when the police arrived, the police gave chase, and they ended up hitting him from behind in a tactical maneuver. Only thing that makes that non-sensical statement make sense.
Yes, Newsom’s a power-seeking vessel who’s willing to do or become whatever’s politically expedient. (And, someone who’d throw one marginalized community under the bus would do the same to another.) But, I don’t get too caught up in the voting for him debate. (Btw, always vote against fascists.. 1/2
August 21, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Yes, Newsom’s a power-seeking vessel who’s willing to do or become whatever’s politically expedient. (And, someone who’d throw one marginalized community under the bus would do the same to another.) But, I don’t get too caught up in the voting for him debate. (Btw, always vote against fascists.. 1/2
Ahem… Democratic leadership. Turns out you’re not entirely beholden to what the polls say—you can also lead public opinion. In this case, by providing the needed context and facts about a matter that people don’t know much about. Wild stuff, I know!!
🧪 New study: Learning about economic impact of NIH funding motivates action to oppose funding cuts.
Evidence from two preregistered, randomized experiments with >5,000 U.S. adults.
Similar change for liberals and conservatives. Preprint from @asinclair.bsky.social et al:
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Evidence from two preregistered, randomized experiments with >5,000 U.S. adults.
Similar change for liberals and conservatives. Preprint from @asinclair.bsky.social et al:
osf.io/preprints/ps...
![Study 2 Intervention Materials
Base Intervention Text
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide funding for scientific research that
leads to major breakthroughs for cancer, diabetes, dementia, heart disease, infectious
diseases, stroke, mental illness, and more.
NIH funding is also an excellent financial investment. For every dollar NIH invests in
research, an average of $2.56 of economic activity is returned–a gain of over 250%.
The White House recently ordered major changes to NIH funding, which would take
back funds already promised to the states. States have sued to challenge the order,
arguing that the changes are unlawful.
[page break]
There are two major sources of cuts to NIH funding, which will result in current and
future losses.
First, many NIH grants for health research have already been cancelled, interrupting
ongoing studies and clinical trials. These cancelled grants are projected to result in
economic losses of $4.9 Billion and over 21,000 jobs.
Second, another change would greatly reduce NIH funding that covers “indirect
costs” of research. These funds help pay for essential facilities, equipment, skilled staff,
and safety checks needed across many research projects. Medical research would not be
possible without funding to cover indirect costs. In the future, this proposed change to
funding for indirect costs of research would reduce the U.S. economy by about $16
Billion and over 68,000 jobs every year.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:c5xrowexysrnn6rn6piltqjz/bafkreid62fezp32bbl53u4iwhrwttks7rwcdbbfqatklh35wmyxzq6o73i@jpeg)
August 21, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Ahem… Democratic leadership. Turns out you’re not entirely beholden to what the polls say—you can also lead public opinion. In this case, by providing the needed context and facts about a matter that people don’t know much about. Wild stuff, I know!!
Very happy to share that, as of this week, @ethanvporter.bsky.social and I have taken the reins as co-directors of GW's Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics. You can read the full statement here, https://iddp.gwu.edu/about.
August 20, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Very happy to share that, as of this week, @ethanvporter.bsky.social and I have taken the reins as co-directors of GW's Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics. You can read the full statement here, https://iddp.gwu.edu/about.
Slightly diminish a band: Passable Middle-aged Cannibals.
Slightly diminish a band: The Only Mostly Dead Kennedys
Slightly diminish a band: The Beach Toddlers
August 13, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Slightly diminish a band: Passable Middle-aged Cannibals.
Reposted by Catie Bailard
Reposted by Catie Bailard
I never want to go back to the system we had before, though I’ll happily cherrypick the still-useful parts. 🍒
Imagining the what-next is how we stay hopeful and inspired during these dark days.
But before we build the future, it’s high time we reckon with the past. For real this time.
Listen…
Imagining the what-next is how we stay hopeful and inspired during these dark days.
But before we build the future, it’s high time we reckon with the past. For real this time.
Listen…
August 1, 2025 at 1:42 AM
I never want to go back to the system we had before, though I’ll happily cherrypick the still-useful parts. 🍒
Imagining the what-next is how we stay hopeful and inspired during these dark days.
But before we build the future, it’s high time we reckon with the past. For real this time.
Listen…
Imagining the what-next is how we stay hopeful and inspired during these dark days.
But before we build the future, it’s high time we reckon with the past. For real this time.
Listen…
@davekarpf.bsky.social, I didn’t know there was a song!?!
There was even a solid song written about it.
Bret Stephens Is A Bedbug
YouTube video by Jonathan Mann
www.youtube.com
July 24, 2025 at 5:36 AM
@davekarpf.bsky.social, I didn’t know there was a song!?!
Yes, Trump’s freaking out because he knows what is in the files is damning. But, he’s also freaking out because he is well aware of how deeply this issue matters to a not-insignificant portion of the MAGA base.
July 22, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Yes, Trump’s freaking out because he knows what is in the files is damning. But, he’s also freaking out because he is well aware of how deeply this issue matters to a not-insignificant portion of the MAGA base.
Reposted by Catie Bailard
long term we don't want Hunter Biden filling the leadership vacuum but it is a substantial vacuum
Hunter Biden of all people said some true shit and it went viral. People are desperate to see some passion. We're desperate to see fight. My message to Dem leaders and consultants is simple. If Hunter fucking Biden can capture our attention and you can't, maybe that's worth reflecting on.
July 22, 2025 at 1:38 AM
long term we don't want Hunter Biden filling the leadership vacuum but it is a substantial vacuum
Now THIS has legs.
Dem consultants yelling about needing a Rogan of the Left and you got him right here
Hunter Biden on the dem party
July 21, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Now THIS has legs.
Reposted by Catie Bailard
MERKLEY: How do you feel about being responsible for hundreds of thousands of kids dying because of your sudden interruption in these key programs?
VOUGHT: I reject the assertion
MERKLEY: I find your response both ignorant & callous. Few Americans have had a more devastating & disastrous impact
VOUGHT: I reject the assertion
MERKLEY: I find your response both ignorant & callous. Few Americans have had a more devastating & disastrous impact
June 25, 2025 at 8:03 PM
MERKLEY: How do you feel about being responsible for hundreds of thousands of kids dying because of your sudden interruption in these key programs?
VOUGHT: I reject the assertion
MERKLEY: I find your response both ignorant & callous. Few Americans have had a more devastating & disastrous impact
VOUGHT: I reject the assertion
MERKLEY: I find your response both ignorant & callous. Few Americans have had a more devastating & disastrous impact
The fires may have uniquely prepared LA for this moment. Coming together to help each other, a strengthened sense of community, building connections that expand & strengthen networks. None of this bolds well for Miller/Trump in trying to make LA a test-case for their attempted fascist takeover.
June 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The fires may have uniquely prepared LA for this moment. Coming together to help each other, a strengthened sense of community, building connections that expand & strengthen networks. None of this bolds well for Miller/Trump in trying to make LA a test-case for their attempted fascist takeover.
Reposted by Catie Bailard
(I would appreciate it if you shared this because it feels weird to write something like this and then have no one read it)
I've been wanting to tell my widowhood story publicly for years, but I know I don't have the kind of grief story people want to hear.
No community rallied, no family healed, no strength discovered.
I wrote about the gap between grief narratives and reality.
www.dataandpolitics.net/why-i-find-i...
No community rallied, no family healed, no strength discovered.
I wrote about the gap between grief narratives and reality.
www.dataandpolitics.net/why-i-find-i...
Why I Find It Hard to Write About Being a Widow
Why is it so hard to write about being a widow? My story has no redemptive arc. No community rallied, no family came together, no strength was discovered. Just sudden loss and ongoing adaptation witho...
www.dataandpolitics.net
June 3, 2025 at 4:08 AM
(I would appreciate it if you shared this because it feels weird to write something like this and then have no one read it)
LA’s very sad attempt to get in on the action?
May 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
LA’s very sad attempt to get in on the action?
Missed call from the CDC, voicemail said they were conducting a nat’l poll about childhood immunization and asked if we have any children in the house between 6mo and 17yr. Couldn’t have imagined even a few months ago that a simple message from the CDC would feel so menacing.
May 7, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Missed call from the CDC, voicemail said they were conducting a nat’l poll about childhood immunization and asked if we have any children in the house between 6mo and 17yr. Couldn’t have imagined even a few months ago that a simple message from the CDC would feel so menacing.