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.

Trump And RNC Raise $105 Million In Second Quarter

President Trump And the RNC raised a record amount in the second quarter of the year.

Trump May Not Benefit From Economy In 2020

New polling suggests that the President may not be benefiting from the relatively healthy economy as much as expected.

Iran Passes Limits On Uranium Enrichment Set By JCPOA

Just over a year after the United States repudiated the JCPOA, Iran has surpassed a limit on uranium enrichment set by the JCPOA

Hong Kong Protests Turn Violent

The ongoing protests in Hong Kong over controversial extradition legislation have taken a violent turn.

Trump Has Few Options In Latest Iran Crisis

Realistically, President Trump has very few options when it comes to dealing with Iran and its nuclear program.

U.S. Ready To Give Up ‘Denuclearization’ In North Korea Talks?

Is the United States finally ready to give up on the fantasy that North Korea will surrender its nuclear weapons?

Kamala Harris Rises, Biden Falls Slightly, In First Post-Debate Poll

The first Democratic debate has had an impact in the polls, with Kamala Harris rising and Joe Biden falling, although he still remains far ahead of his opponents.

Trump And Kim Stage Another Photo Op Summit At The DMZ

President Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un met at the Demilitarized Zone for what amounts to their third summit in a year. As with the previous two, there was nothing of substance accomplished.

Mars Passes Gas

Some mysteries on the fourth rock from the Sun.

Trump And Xi Agree To Resume Trade Talks

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to resume trade talks, but Trump’s ill-advised trade war will continue.

The Birthers Come For Kamala Harris

A new racist meme questioning Kamala Harris’s background is circulating on the Internet.

First Democratic Debate Sets Viewership Record

The first Democratic debate drew record numbers on both nights.

Open Forum

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

Supreme Court To Hear Appeal In Challenges To Trump’s Moves Against DACA

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal in a series of cases challenging the President’s decision to end the DACA program.

Now Trump Is Attacking America’s Alliance With Japan

Not content with taking a wrecking ball to America’s trans-Atlantic alliances, the President is attacking our trans-Pacific allies as well.

Biden, Sanders, Buttigieg Come Under Fire On Second Night Of Democratic Debates

WIth the top two candidates in the race on the same stage, the second night of the first Democratic debate was much feistier than the first night.

Supreme Court Hands Trump Administration A Loss In Census Citizenship Case

In a clear defeat for the Trump Administration, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that the Federal Government could not ask about citizenship on the 2020 Census.

Supreme Court Takes Federal Courts Out Of Partisan Gerrymandering Fight

In a significant setback for challenges to partisan gerrymandering, the Supreme Court has effectively ruled that Federal Courts do not have jurisdiction to hear challenges to redistricting based on partisan motivations.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Residency Requirement For Liquor Sales License

The Supreme Court issued a significant ruling on Monday that could make it easier to buy and sell alcoholic beverages across state lines.

Roy Moore Trails In First Post-Announcement Poll

In the first poll since he entered the race, Roy Moore finds himself in third place in the race for the 2020 Republican Nomination for Senate in Alabama.

Democrats Clash In First Night Of First Debate

Democrats clashed, to some degree, in last night’s inaugural debate of the 2020 season but they clearly agreed far more than they disagreed.

Amid Trump-Created Humanitarian Crisis, One Photograph Speaks A Thousand Words

One photograph that has gone viral is standing as a visualization of the Trump Administration’s inhumane asylum policies.

Most Americans Oppose Trump’s Transgender Military Ban

Another poll is out showing that Americans overwhelmingly oppose the President’s decision to ban transgender troops from serving in the military.

Stephanie Grisham, Aide To First Lady, Named New White House Press Secretary

Stephanie Grisham, presently a top aide to First Lady Melania Trump, has been named the new White House Press Secretary and Communications Director.

Robert Mueller To Testify Before Congress

Robert Mueller has agreed to testify before Congress in public. Testimony that is likely to be the big story of the summer.

A Pre-Debate Look At The 2020 Democratic Poll Standings

With the first Democratic debate set to begin tonight, it’s a good time to take a look at the state of the race.

It’s Too Late For Republican ‘Regrets’ About Trump, They Made Their Choice.

Polls are starting to show that the number of Republicans embarrassed by the President’s rhetoric and behavior is rising. Sorry guys, it’s too late now. You broke it, you bought it.

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The Warren And Sanders Plans To Cancel Student Loan Debt Won’t Solve The Problem

Senators Warren and Sanders have both proposed plans to forgive student loan debt and make public colleges tuition-free. That’s easier said than done.

Ebola Outbreak Still A Problem In Central Africa

The Ebola outbreak that began last year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is still a problem, and still threatening to spread.

Trump Still Won’t Acknowledge The Truth About The Murder Of Jamal Khashoggi

Eight months later, the President and his Administration continue to refuse to acknowledge the truth about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump Imposes New Sanctions On Iran. They Won’t Work.

The Trump Administration unveiled new sanctions against Iran yesterday. They’re unlikely to accomplish the entirely unrealistic goals the President claims to have in mind.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Lanham Act Prohibition On “Immoral” Trademarks

The Supreme Court has struck down a provision of the Lanham Act barring approval of “immoral” or “scandalous” trademarks as unconstitutional.

Washington Supreme Court Rules Against Florist Who Refused To Serve Same-Sex Couple

The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled against a Seattle-area florist who refused to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding.

Trump Falsely Blames Obama For Appalling Treatment Of Migrant Children

There are children being held in what amount to internment camps on the southern border under appallingly bad conditions and the President is more concerned with falsely blaming his predecessor for the problem.

Russia Used Social Media Trolls To Interfere In E.U. Elections

Evidence appears to clearly established that Russia used many of the same social media efforts it used in the United States in 2016 to interfere in the recent European Parliament elections.

Pete Buttigieg Faces A Crucial Test Back Home

Pete Butttigieg has spent the past week dealing with a crisis back in South Bend. How he handles it could have a significant impact on his campaign.

Joe Sestak Running For President For Some Reason

Former Congressman Joe Sestak is the 24th Democrat to enter the race for President.

Trump Backs Down On Mass Deportation Threat

With hours to go before they were set to start. the President delayed the mass deportation raids that were supposed to begin this morning.

Woman Charged With Burglary After Seizing Abusive Husband’s Guns

A Florida Woman is being charged with felony burglary after breaking into her estranged husband’s apartment to seize his guns and give them to the police.

Supreme Court Orders New Trial For Death Row Inmate Due To Tainted Jury

The Supreme Court ordered a new trial in the case of a Mississippi defendant whose trial was tainted by a prosecutor who routinely struck black jurors from the jury pool.

The Costs Of Trump’s Irrational Trade War Continue To Add Up

The costs to the American economy of President Trump’s ill-advised trade war continue to add up.

ICE Planning Mass Raids Targeting Immigrant Families Beginning Tomorrow

Following through on a threat made by the President earlier this week, immigration authorities are reportedly planning mass raids aimed primarily at immigrant families starting tomorrow.

Writer Accuses Trump Of Sexual Assault in the 1990s.

Another woman has accused President Trump of sexually assaulting her some 20 years ago.

Deportations Under Trump Down From Deportations Under Obama

Despite his claims, President Trump is actually deporting fewer people than were deported under former President Obama.

Trump To Nominate Mark Esper For Defense Secretary

Just days after being named the next Acting Secretary of Defense, the President is appointing Mark Esper to be full Secretary of Defense.

Alaska Supreme Court Rules Sex Offender Registry Unconstitutional

The Alaska Supreme Court has ruled that the state’s sex offender registry violates due process protections in the state and Federal Constitutions.

Roy Moore Is Running For Senate Again

Much to the chagrin of Republicans hoping to win back a Senate seat they never should have lost, Roy Moore is running for Senate again in Alabama.

Boris Johnson To Face Jeremy Hunt In Tory Leadership Fight

The fight to determine the leader of the Conservative Party, and the next British Prime Minister, is down to two candidates, but there’s one clear favorite.

U.S. Was Poised To Strike Iran Last Night, Then Trump Pulled Back

The planes were apparently in the air, and the ships in position, for an American attack on Iran last night. Then the order to pull back came in.

Supreme Court Holds That Maryland Peace Cross Can Stay On Public Land

The Supreme Court ruled that a World War One memorial that had been on public grounds for 70 years can stay where it is.