Posts by Doug Mataconis

Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Kamala Harris’s Campaign Appears To Be Falling Apart

After a promising start, Kamala Harris’s campaign appears to be in crisis mode.

Pete Buttigieg Takes The Lead In Bellwether Iowa Poll

More good news for Mayor Pete.

Louisiana Reelects Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards

In what many are seeing as a rebuke of the President, Louisiana voters re-elected Democratic incumbent John Bel Edwards over his Republican opponent.

Open Forum

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

Trump Clears American Soldiers Involved In War Crimes

Against the advice of his top military advisers, President Trump has cleared three American soldiers of war crimes, sending a horrible signal to the world and to the troops in the field.

Trump Attorneys Appeal Tax Return Ruling To Supreme Court

The fight over the President’s tax returns has reached the Supreme Court.

Former Ambassador Describes Effort By Trump Associates To Push Her Aside

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch described how the President’s allies intimidated her out of her position, while the President intimidated her live on Twitter.

Trump Associate And Confidante Roger Stone Convicted

One of Donald Trump”s closest associates has been convicted by a Federal jury.

Federal Court Deals Another Blow To Trump’s Efforts To Keep Tax Records Private

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals dealt President Trump another setback in his effort to keep his financial records out of Congressional hands.

Democrats Shift Focus To Bribery As Impeachment Inquiry Moves Forward

As the impeachment proceedings move forward, Democrats are shifting their focus to a specific, and powerful, charge.

Former Ambassador To Testify On Day Two Of Impeachment Hearings

Day two of Congressional impeachment hearings will be marked by the testimony of the former American Ambassador to Ukraine.

Open Forum

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

Jon Huntsman Enters Race For Utah Governor

Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman is running to get his old job back.

Supreme Court Allows Case Against AR-15 Manufacturer To Proceed

The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a case from Connecticut filed by the parents of victims of the Sandy Hook massacre.

Deval Patrick Enters Presidential Race

Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has entered the race for the Democratic Presidential nomination

Democrats Begin To Make Their Case In First Day of Public Impeachment Hearings

There were few fireworks during the first day of public impeachment hearings, but the ground work for a case against the President was laid.

The Political Resurrection Of Ralph Northam

Nine months after what seemed like the end of his political career, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has mounted a comeback,

Nigel Farage Gives Boris Johnson A Helping Hand. Sort of.

Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party is helping out Boris Johnson’s Tories. Sort of.

Pete Buttigieg Surges In New Iowa Poll

A new poll shows Pete Buttigieg surging in Iowa, where the Caucuses are 92 days away.

Congress Begins Public Impeachment Hearings

In a few short hours, the House Intelligence Committee begins the public phase of its impeachment inquiry.

Open Forum

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

Sean Spicer Finally Booted From Dancing With The Stars

We won’t have Sean Spicer to ikick around anymore.

Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument In DACA Challenge

The Supreme Court took up the DACA issue today. No matter what it decides, this will likely become a big issue in the 2020 elections.

Mark Sanford Drops Challenge For Republican Nomination

After just two months, Mark Sanford is dropping his challenge to the incumbent President.

A Rebirth For The Equal Rights Amendment? Maybe, Maybe Not.

The Democratic victory in Virginia’s legislative elections has revived hopes for advocates of the Equal Rights Amendment, Even if Virginia does become the 38th state to ratify the measure, though, the actual status of the Amendment is exceedingly unclear.

Late-Entering Presidential Candidates Rarely Win

History shows us that candidates who enter the race for President late rarely do well, and rarely manage to win.

Deval Patrick Reportedly Considering Late Entry Into Presidential Race

Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is reportedly considering a late entry into the race for the Democratic nomination.

Supreme Court Set To Hear DACA Challenge

Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will hear argument in a case likely to decide the fate of former President Obama’s DACA program.

Macron Calls NATO ‘Brain Dead’ Due To Lack Of U.S. Leadership

French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the NATO alliance is suffering brain death due to President Trump’s neglect and lack of leadership.

The 11th Hour, Of The 11th Day, Of The 11th Month

101 years ago today, the so-called “War To End All Wars” finally came to an end.

Democratic Voters Not Exactly Enthusiastic About Mike Bloomberg

A new poll seems to indicate that Democratic voters aren’t exactly jumping on the Mike Bloomberg train.

Open Forum

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

The Fall Of The Berlin Wall, Thirty Years Later

Thirty years ago today, history took off in a brand new direction.

Trade Deficit Increases Under Trump’s Watch

After more than a year of Trump’s trade war, the trade deficit, which he promised to reduce, has increased.

Open Forum

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

Trump And The GOP Continuing To Implode Among Suburban Voters

Tuesday’s elections continued a trend in which Republicans have lost support among suburban voters, even in deeply red states. Guess who’s responsible for that.

Mike Bloomberg Apparently Running For President For Some Reason

Mike Bloomberg is apparently entering the race for the Democratic nomination.

Jeff Sessions Enters Alabama Senate Race With Obsequious Trump Praise

Jeff Sessions entered the race for the GOP nomination for Senate in Alabama by heaping obsequious and pathetic praise on a man who had spent two years insulting him publicly and privately

Rudy Giuliani Lawyers Up

Caught in the middle of the Ukraine scandal, the President”s lawyer has gotten his own lawyers.

Jeff Sessions Running For His Old Senate Seat

Jeff Sessions is running to win back his old Senate seat, putting into play the possibility of a clash with President Trump.

Matt Bevin Requests Recanvass In Kentucky

Governor Matt Bevin still won’t concede the Kentucky Governor’s race.

Open Forum

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

Woman Who Flipped The Bird To Trump Wins Election

Juli Briskman gave Donald Trump a one-fingered salute in a photograph that went viral. Two years later, she won election in a district that includes Trump’s golf course.

Public Impeachment Hearings To Begin Next Week

Get the popcorn and your favorite beverage ready.

New York City Voters Approve Ranked-Choice Voting

A big win for ranked-choice voting in the Big Apple as voters approve a referendum that will bring ranked-choice voting to the nation’s most populous city.

Key Diplomat And Trump Supporter Confirms Existence Of Ukraine Quid Pro Quo

A key diplomat and close supporter of the President has essentially confirmed the existence of a quid pro quo between Ukrainian aid and negative information about the President’s political opponents.

Democrats Take Control Of Virginia Legislature

Another bad night for Republicans in Virginia, and another warning sign for Republicans nationally.

Democrat Andy Beshear Leads In Tight Kentucky Governor’s Race

Republicans in general and Donald Trump in particular suffered a big loss in the Kentucky Governor’s race.

Republican Tate Reeves Wins Mississippi Governor’s Race

In the least surprising news of Election Night, Republican Tate Reeves pulled off a win in overwhelmingly Republican Mississippi.