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.

California Legislature Passes Bill Legalizing Physician Assisted Suicide

California’s legislature has approved a bill that would legalize physician assisted suicide in the nation’s largest state.

British Labour Party Takes A Strong Tilt Left In Leadership Election

Britain’s Labour Party has taken a hard tilt left with the election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader.

Rick Perry Drops Out Of The Race For President

We won’t have Rick Perry to kick around anymore.

Scott Walker’s Campaign Seems To Be In Serious Trouble

Scott Walker used to have a commanding lead in Iowa, now he’s in 7th place. That’s just another sign of the troubles facing his campaign.

Joe Biden Drops Another Hint About His Presidential Intentions

Vice-President Biden dropped another hint that suggests he might not be up to running for President.

Senate Democrats Succeed In Filibuster Of Vote Against Iran Nuclear Deal

Senate Democrats successfully blocked a final vote on the Iran Nuclear Deal, meaning that Congressional debate on the matter is effectively over.

Bernie Sanders Jumps Ahead Of Hillary In Latest Iowa Poll

Bernie Sanders has jumped ahead of Hillary Clinton in the Hawkeye State.

Donald Trump Unleashes Another Insult That His Supporters Most Likely Won’t Care About

Donald Trump is back to hurling insults at his opponents, but it’s unlikely his supporters are going to care.

Federal Judge Allows Part Of House Lawsuit Against Obama Administration To Proceed

A Federal Judge has ruled that part of a lawsuit filed by the House of Representatives can go forward, but the legal battle is far from over.

House Conservatives Push For Pointless Delay In Iran Nuclear Deal Vote

Some House Republicans are trying to delay the vote on the Iran Nuclear Deal with an argument that has no merit whatsoever.

Vast Majority Of Americans Oppose Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis’s Actions

A new poll shows that the vast majority of Americans oppose Kim Davis’s refusal to follow the law, even while some Republican candidates rally behind her.

John Boehner Faces A Tough Fall On Capitol Hill

Speaker John Boehner seems likely to see another leadership threat from fellow Republicans this fall.

Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis Released From Jail, But She May Not Be Free For Long

Rowan County, Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis is being released from jail, but it may end up being a very short reprieve.

Democrats Now Have Enough Support To Block A Final Vote On The Iran Nuclear Deal

At least on paper, Senate Democrats now have enough votes to block the Senate from voting on a resolution disapproving of the Iran Nuclear Deal.

Hillary Clinton’s Campaign Hits The Reboot Button

Hillary Clinton’s campaign is doing a reset in the face of declining poll numbers and bad press.

Sanders Continues To Cause Trouble For Clinton, Biden Could Cause More

Bernie Sanders continues to cause Hillary Clinton problems, and Joe Biden could cause more if he enters the race.

North Carolina Teen Charged As A Sex Offender For Having Naked Pictures Of Himself

A teenager in North Carolina is facing serious criminal charges in another absurd overreaction to teenager “sexting.”

Oregon Judge Refusing To Perform Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies

A trial court Judge in Oregon is the latest public official to refuse to do his job.

The 2016 Electoral College Battlefield Is Very Small

The 2016 election will be fought on a very small battlefield, and right now the makeup of that battlefield heavily favors the Democrats.

Republican Candidates Rally Around Lawbreaker Kim Davis, Trample All Over The Rule Of Law

Most of the Republican candidates for President would rather support a lawbreaker than the Rule of Law. The American people should judge them accordingly.

Joe Biden Drops A Hint That Suggests He Probably Won’t Run For President

In a speech in Florida, Joe Biden spoke about his possible run for the White House, and gave a very big hint that he’s leaning toward staying out of the race.

August Jobs Report Nothing To Write Home About

The August Jobs Report was positive, but weak, calling into question the Federal Reserve’s apparent plan to raise interest rates this month.

Donald Trump Doesn’t Know Much About Foreign Policy

In an interview, Donald Trump reveals that when it comes to foreign policy he has no idea what he’s talking about.

South Carolina To Seek Death Penalty For Charleston Shooter Dylann Roof

Prosecutors in South Carolina announced that they will seek the death penalty for Charleston shooter Dylann Roof.

Kentucky Clerk Found In Contempt And Jailed For Refusal To Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

Rowan County, Kentucky Clerk Kimberly Davis was found in contempt of court and jailed for her refusal to issue same-sex marriage licenses.

Federal Judge Overturns Tom Brady’s Deflategate Suspension

A massive defeat in Court for the National Football League.

Republican Party Circulating Loyalty Oath Aimed At Donald Trump

The RNC wants Donald Trump to sign an oath that he will not run as a third-party candidate if he doesn’t win the Republican nomination.

The Iran Nuclear Deal Debate Is Basically Over

President Obama now has enough votes in the Senate, and probably the House, to ensure that Congress cannot block the nuclear deal with Iran.

Mitch McConnell: Republicans Don’t Have The Votes To Defund Planned Parenthood

Mitch McConnell spoke a truth that many conservatives are likely not going to want to accept.

CNN Revises Debate Criteria, Fiorina Now Likely To Make The Cut For The Main Debate

CNN has revised its criteria for the main September 16th debate such that Carly Fiorina will now most likely make the cut.

Iran Nuclear Deal Now Virtually Certain To Survive Congressional Attack

Senate Democrats are now just one vote away from being able to block a veto override, meaning that the effort to block the Iran Nuclear Deal will most certainly fail.

Donald Trump Appeals To The Worst Instincts In Voters, And The Worst Parts Of American Politics

The longer this race goes on, the hard it becomes to deny the truth about Donald Trump.

Kentucky Clerk Loses Another Argument Over Refusal To Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

The Supreme Court has denied a Kentucky Clerk’s request to stay a ruling requiring her to comply with the law and issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Donald Trump, Ben Carson Tied In New Iowa Poll

Two candidates with no political experienced whatsoever are tied in Iowa as Republican voters continue to reject anyone with political experience.

Voters Would Blame Republicans For Government Shutdown, Poll Shows

Some Republicans are threatening a government shutdown over funding of Planned Parenthood, but a new poll shows that it would be a big political risk for Republicans.

Ohio Politicians Predictably Unhappy About Denali Decision

Ohio politicos are predictably unhappy about the decision to return Mount Denali to its rightful place.

Scott Walker And Chris Christie Pander To Donald Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Base

Scott Walker and Chris Christie apparently think that the key to turning around their dying campaigns is to pander to the people supporting Donald Trump’s anti-immigration platform.

Bernie Sanders Closing On Hillary In Iowa According To New Poll

A new poll shows Bernie Sanders gaining traction outside of New Hampshire for the first time.

Jeb Bush Loses Three Top Fundraisers; Signs Of Trouble Ahead?

Jeb Bush’s campaign has been in a rough patch for several weeks at least, and now he’s lost three top fundraisers.

Clinton’s Democratic Opponents Upset With Parsimonious Debate Schedule

Some of Hillary Clinton’s Democratic opponents are complaining about the DNC’s parsimonious debate schedule.

Appeals Court Upholds Law Barring Protests On Supreme Court Building Property

A Federal Appeals Court has upheld a 1949 law that bars protesters from the property around the Supreme Court building. This seems inconsistent with the Court’s recent First Amendment jurisprudence.

Everybody Hates Congress

Another poll confirms the fact that Americans of all political stripes continue to hold Congress is disdain.

Virginia Man Dies After Being Held In Jail For Four Months Without Trial Or Bail

Four months in jail, no opportunity for bail, no trial, no access to mental health care. And, now Jamycheal Mitchell is dead.

Voter’s Words For Hillary Clinton: “Liar,” Dishonest,” “Untrustworthy”

Hillary Clinton has a bit of a public image problem, but it’s not clear if that will hurt her politically.

Senate Democrats May Be Able To Filibuster The Vote To Block The Iran Nuclear Deal

If the Administration gets its way, efforts to block the Iran nuclear deal may come to a quick end in the Senate.

Carly Fiorina’s Campaign Is Complaining About CNN’s Debate Rules

Carly Fiorina will most likely be excluded from CNN’s prime time debate in September, so of course her campaign is complaining about rules that were established months ago.

Second Quarter G.D.P. Revision Shows Strong Growth, But Future Weakness Seems Likely

Today’s revision of Second Quarter G.D.P. growth was good news, but it doesn’t seem likely to last.

The Daily News Crosses The Line From Journalism To Murder Porn

A front page cover on yesterday’s murders in Virginia crosses the line from reporting to exploitation.