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.

Obama Administration Lobbied Standard & Poor’s Not To Lower Debt Outlook

Standard & Poor’s didn’t believe the Obama Administration’s argument that Washington would be able to fix the deficit. There’s no reason they should have.

Americans Oppose Entitlement Cuts, Support Raising Taxes On “The Rich”

According to a new poll, the American public still isn’t sold on the idea of cutting entitlements to cut the budget deficit.

Obama’s Approval Numbers Down, But He Still Leads All GOP Rivals

President Obama is vulnerable, but he’s facing a GOP field that is underwhelming even for Republicans.

Pentagon Report “Doubts” Some Comments Attributed To McChrystal By Rolling Stone

A Pentagon investigation was unable to verify some of the comments attributed to General Stanley McChrystal in Rolling Stone last year. That doesn’t mean he’s been cleared, though.

How Do You Solve A Problem Like Donald Trump?

What is Donald Trump up to? Only he seems to know for sure.

Sarah Palin Lambastes House GOP, Tells Republicans To “Fight Like Girls”

Sarah Palin was back speaking to a Tea Party crowd yesterday, but it just doesn’t seem like matters anymore.

Rand Paul: Both Sides Will Have To Compromise To Reach A Budget Deal

One of the Tea Party movement’s favorite Senators used the dreaded c-word.

Time To Eliminate The “Natural Born Citizen” Requirement

With all the birther talk these days, it’s probably time to question whether we even need the “natural born citizen” rule anymore.

Obama’s Signing Statement On Presidential Czars And The Constitution

President Obama’s signing statement on the allocation of funds to Presidential “czars” sets a potentially dangerous Constitutional precedent.

Candidate Obama vs. President Obama On Presidential Signing Statements

Once again, President Obama has ignored Candidate Obama’s promises to reign in the Presidential powers assumed by George W. Bush.

Obama Hits All-Time Job Approval Low In Gallup Poll

We’re approaching the point where those job approval numbers start to matter, and President Obama’s are heading down again.

Megan McArdle On Atlas Shrugged: An Incoherent Mess

Even libertarians aren’t all that impressed with the effort to bring Ayn Rand’s magnum opus to the big screen.

Donald Trump: Republican Frontrunner? Or, Harbinger Of Republican Doom?

For the first time, Donald Trump is leading a poll for the GOP 2012 nomination. That’s bad news for the GOP.

Is Arizona’s ‘Birther’ Bill Unconstitutional?

Arizona’s so-called “Birther Bill” seems to violate several provisions of the Federal Constitution.