Posts by 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.
Senate Blocks Boehner Bill, Focus Shifts To Reid Plan, McConnell Won’t Negotiate
The Senate killed the Boehner Plan but the debt ceiling crisis is still unresolved and the way out is murky.
House Passes Boehner Debt Ceiling Bill 218-210, Senate Defeat Tonight Certain
It’s another Friday of drama in the debt ceiling crisis.
The Tea Party’s Utopianism Is Making It Irrelevant
By insisting on perfection in the debt ceiling debate, the Tea Party has made itself irrelevant to the process.
Boehner Bill To Be Amended To Please Tea Party, Thus Making It Totally Irrelevant
John Boehner’s debt ceiling plan is being amended. And not in a good way.
Second Quarter GDP Shows Economy Slowing To Near-Recession Status
And you thought the bad economic news was over.
Study Finds That Affordable Care Act Isn’t All That Affordable
Another government program isn’t going to bring health care costs under control.
Question For The Crowd: When, If At All, Does The Deal Get Made?
The rational thing to do is the make a deal that cuts spending and raises the debt ceiling. But how do we get there from here?
Obama In Trouble In Battleground States
The electoral map should be making the Obama 2012 camp just a little bit nervous.
With Economic News Like This, Why Would Anyone Risk Crashing The Economy?
Economic figures released today demonstrate clearly why the irresponsible talk surrounding the debt ceiling must end.
Mitt Romney’s Frontrunner Status In Danger If Rick Perry Enters The Race
If Mitt Romney looked in the rear view mirror he might just see Rick Perry gaining on him.
Is It All Over But The Blame Game? Or, Why I’m Thinking We’re Hosed
I no longer have any confidence that our leaders will act responsibly before the August 2nd debt ceiling deadline.
How Obama Lost Control Of The Debt Negotiations
Barack Obama’s biggest enemy in the debt negotiations has been himself.
Supreme Court Asked To Decide If “Born In Jerusalem” Means “Born In Israel”
The Supreme Court is being asked to decided if Congress can overrule a foreign policy position the U.S. has held since 1948.
In Dueling Speechs Obama And Boehner Talk Past Each Other, Accomplish Little
Their mouths were moving, but nothing of substance was coming out.
John Boehner And Harry Reid Release Competing, Mostly Incompatible, Debt Plans
John Boehner and Harry Reid introduced their debt plans. Now, where do we go from here?
State’s Rights Is Not The Answer To The Same-Sex Marriage Debate
Does the 10th Amendment contain the answer to the same-sex marriage debate? Not really.
The Misplaced Attack On Private Jets
In the 80’s it was yachts, today it’s private jets. The argument is the same, and it’s still without merit.
