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.

Alliance Between Netanyahu And Trump Making Support For Israel A Partisan Issue

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions toward two Democratic Congresswomen,seemingly at the bidding of President Trump, is the latest example of the growing partisan divide over policy toward Israel.

Ed Markey Facing A Challenge From The Kennedy Clan In 2020?

The junior Senator from Massachusetts could be facing a big challenge in 2020.

Biden Continues To Lead Democratic Field While Warren Slips Into Second

Joe Biden continues to lead the Democratic field but Elizabeth Warren has slipped into second while Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris appear to be slipping.

Trump Is Worried About The Economy And 2020. He Should Be.

The Trump Administration and 2020 campaign are clearly worried about the state of the economy. They should be, because it could be the one thing that dooms his re-election chances.

Trump Administration Reportedly Still Looking At Buying Greenland

On the Sunday shows today, one of the President’s top aides insisted that the Administration is seriously looking at the idea of buying Greenland even though it isn’t for sale.

No-Deal Brexit Would Be A Disaster For The United Kingdom

A newly released report leaked from inside the British Government notes that a hard Brexit is likely to be a disaster for the British economy.

Trump’s Potemkin Political Rally

Workers at a petrochemical plant were told they could choose between showing up for a Presidential speech and not getting paid.

Fundraising While Black

An incident this week in Arkansas is just the latest example of a depressing and dangerous trend.

Joe Biden Maintains A Huge Lead In South Carolina

Joe Biden continues to have a strong lead in the Palmetto State, thanks largely to strong support from African-American voters.

Jeffrey Epstein’s Death Officially Ruled Suicide

Confirming the original diagnosis, Jeffrey Epstein’s death last weekend has been ruled a suicide.

Beto O’Rourke Once Again Rules Out Running For Senate

Beto O’Rourke is once again rejecting the idea of running for Senate instead of President.

Trump Wants To Buy Greenland

President Trump wants to make a deal.

John Hickenlooper Ends Quixotic White House Bid

We won’t have Hickenlooper to kick around anymore.

At Trump’s Urging, Netanyahu Bars Two Members Of Congress From Entering Israel

After urging from President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has barred two Muslim-American Congressmen from visiting Israel. It is a foolish and outrageous decision.

Most Americans Support Ban On Assault Weapons And Other Gun Control Measures

Another poll in the wake of this month’s mass shootings shows increased support for several gun control measures. That doesn’t mean Congress will act, though.

Trump Promised To Bring Jobs Back To America. It’s Not Happening.

As a candidate, Donald Trump promised to bring jobs back to the United States, especially manufacturing jobs. It hasn’t worked out that way.

Steve King: Rape And Incest Necessary For Humanity To Exist

Congressman Steve King has some rather unique views about human history.

Trump Delays Tariffs On Chinese Consumer Goods

President Trump is delaying implementation of his recently announced tariffs on Chinese goods.

Hickenlooper For Senate?

There are hints that former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper could abandon his seemingly doomed Presidential bid to run for Senate.

Budget Deficit Sets Another Record Under Trump, Heads Toward $1 Trillion

The Federal Budget Deficit rose 27% in July, putting it on course for the $1 trillion by the end of September.

Trump’s Trade War Could Force Economy Into Recession, Analysts Warn

Economic analysts are growing increasingly worried that the President’s trade war could push the world economy into recession, and take the American economy along with it.

Donald Trump Is A Congenital Liar, But Will That Matter To Voters?

Donald Trump lies with the ease that the rest of us tie our shoes. Will that fact have an impact on voters?

Hong Kong Protests Close Airport, Risk Confrontation With Military

Protests in Hong Kong have been going on for nine weeks now, but they are reaching a point where the patience of the leaders in Beijing is being tested.

Federal Court Rules In Favor Of Transgender Student In Bathroom Access Case

A Federal Court has ruled once again in favor of a transgender student in Virginia who was prevented from using the bathroom conforming to their gender identity.

The Trump Administration Has Killed Human Rights Diplomacy

Under the Trump Administration, the American commitment to human rights around the world is basically dead.

Trump Considering Commuting Blago’s Sentence

President Trump says he’s thinking about commuting the sentenced of Rod Blagojevich, who has served seven years of the fourteen-year sentence he received for public corruption.

Meet Donald Trump’s Latest Far-Right Twitter Muse

Donald Trump has found a new far-right lunatic to retweet.

Epstein Death Leads To Legitimate Questions And Baseless Conspiracy Theories

Jeffrey Epstein’s death by suicide has led to many legitimate questions that should be investigated. It has also led to the rise of a number of baseless conspiracy theories.

Open Forum

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

Trump Campaign Sues To Block California Law Requiring Release Of Tax Returns

The Trump campaign and several other parties have filed lawsuits challenging California’s new law requiring candidates for President to release copies of their tax returns.

Jeffrey Epstein Dead In Apparent Suicide

Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire financier who was arrested earlier this summer on sex trafficking and abuse charges, has died of what appears to be a suicide in his jail cell.

Boris Johnson Headed For A Snap Election?

It looks as if Boris Johnson’s government could be looking to call for a snap election to he held in the immediate aftermath of Brexit.

You Can’t Accept Part Of Trumpism Without Endorsing The Entirety Of Trumpism

Donald Trump is a complete package, you can’t support part of it without at least implicitly endorsing all of it.

Poll Shows Increased Support For Gun Control Measures, But Will It Last?

In the wake of the back-to-back shootings in Texas and Ohio, a new poll shows increased support for some gun control measures. But we’ve been here before.

Open Forum

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

More Shakeups At The Top Of The Intelligence Community

Just over a week after Dan Coats announced he was stepping own as Director of National Intelligence, there are more shakeups at the top of the U.S. intelligence community.

The Trump Administration’s Economic War Against Venezuela Will Not Succeed

The Trump Administration has effectively declared economic warfare against the government of Nicolas Maduro. It won’t succeed, and will further victimize the already suffering Venezuelan people.

On A Day That Called For National Unity, Trump Reverted To Attacks And Division

On a day that called for national unity and empathy, President Trump couldn’t help but revert to form.

While Democrats Debate, Republicans Push Forward On Judges

While Democrats debated among themselves about health care plans that will likely never become law, Republicans were pushing forward with judicial confirmations.

Puerto Rico Gets Its Third Governor In A Week

Thanks to a ruling by the Puerto Rican Supreme Court, the island Commonwealth has its third Governor in less than a week.

Biden Leads, Warren Rises, Kamala Falls In Wake of Second Debate

One week out from the second Democratic debate, Elizabeth Warren appears to be the biggest beneficiary. while Kamala Harris appears to be falling behind.

Second Circuit Reinstates Sarah Palin’s Lawsuit Against The New York Times

In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel from the Second Circuit has reinstated Sarah Palin’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times.

The Battle For Senate Control In 2020 Appears To Favor Republicans

In the battle for Senate control in 2020, the conditions appear to favor Republicans. At least for now.

Open Forum

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

China Warns Hong Kong Protesters, But It Has Few Realistic Options

Beijing is warning protesters in Hong Kong that it’s restraint in the face of protests is not without limit. However, it has few realistic options when it comes to how far it can go.

Jon Huntsman Resigns As Ambassador To Russia Ahead Of Possible Return To Politics

Jon Huntsman has resigned as Ambassador to Russia ahead of an anticipated bid to return as Utah’s Governor, a position he held 11 years ago.

Nebraska Republican Calls Out His Own Party For Silence In Response To Trump’s Rhetoric

A Republican State Legislator in Nebraska says things that other Republicans don’t have the courage to say.

Poll Shows Scots Supporting Independence As The U.K. Stumbles Toward Brexit

Adding to the political headaches for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a new poll shows majority support for Scottish independence in Scotland as the United Kingdom stumbles toward Brexit.

Attempted Bomber Cesar Sayoc Gets 20 Years In Prison

Cesar Sayoc, the man who started a panic in October when he sent apparent explosive devices to a number of President Trump’s critics, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison

Trump’s Newest China Tariffs Are Going To Hurt Americans

The new round of tariffs on Chinese made goods that the President announced late last week will have a particularly severe impact on consumers and retailers.