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.

Senate Rejects Competing Proposals To End Government Shutdown

The Senate rejected Republican and Democratic proposals as expected but there are some signs of movement forward.

Is There Room For Forgiveness And Redemption In The #MeToo Era?

Can society forgive the men caught up in the #MeToo movement? Is it even our place to decide?

Venezuelan Crisis Enters A New Stage

The situation in Venezuela entered a new stage yesterday as opposition leader Juan Guaidó claimed the nation’s Presidency.

Democrats Prepare A New Proposal To End Shutdown

As the shutdown enters its thirty-fourth day and the Senate gets ready to vote on proposals that have no chance of succeeding, Democrats are preparing a new proposal.

Trump Backs Down In State Of The Union Standoff

President Trump has backed down in his showdown with Speaker Pelosi over the State of the Union Address, but that does nothing to bring us closer to a resolution of the government shutdown.

As Shutdown Continues, The President’s Political Position Weakens

As the shutdown continues, the President’s political position is becoming weaker. He doesn’t seem to care, though.

Mariano Rivera Becomes First Unanimous Pick To Baseball Hall Of Fame

The best Relief Pitcher in Major League history has been unanimously inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame.

Pete Buttigieg 2020?

Pete Buttigieg, the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is the latest entrant into the 2020 race for President. To say is a long-shot is an understatement.

Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Second Amendment Case

For the first tine in nearly ten years, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving Second Amendment rights.

It’s Time To Make Government Shutdowns Impossible

There’s a way that Congress and the President could make future government shutdowns impossible, but they probably won’t do it.

Senate To Vote On Bills Doomed To Fail As Shutdown Continues

The Senate has the ball this week in terms of action on the government shutdown, but its work is going to end up being utterly pointless.

Supreme Court Lifts Injunction Barring Trump’s Transgender Military Ban

In what amounts to a setback, the Supreme Court has lifted an injunction barring the Trump Administration’s ban on transgender service in the military to go forward pending further legal proceedings.

Americans Pessimistic About Trump’s Presidency

New polling data indicates that Americans are more pessimistic about the future of the Trump Presidency. That’s not good news for him, or for Republicans.

Shutdown Eroding Public Faith In The Economy

The government shutdown is beginning to negatively impact the public’s perception of the health of the economy.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Trump Keeps Lying, The Truth Keeps Dying

Two years into his Presidency, Donald Trump continues to set the wrong kind of records.

Trump And Kim Jong Un To Meet Again Next Month

President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet again in February, but it’s hard to see why.

Senator Kamala Harris Enters The Race For President

As expected. California Senator Kamala Harris has entered the race for President.

Democrats United In Opposition To Trump’s Shutdown Offer

Not surprisingly, the President’s proposed shutdown deal is not being received well by Democrats on Capitol Hill.

Chicago Police Officer Sentenced To Seven Years In Murder Of Laquan McDonald

A Chicago police officer convicted of second-degree murder has been sentenced to seven years in prison, but could be out in as little as three-and-a-half.

Larry Hogan As A 2020 GOP Challenger To Trump?

Could Maryland Governor Larry Hogan be just the kind of Republican to challenge Trump in 2020?

Trump’s Border ‘Compromise’ Not Going Over Very Well

The initial reaction to President Trump’s proposal to reopen the government is not going over well on either side of the aisle.

Trump Offers Temporary DACA Protection In Exchange For Wall Funding

President Trump put an offer on the table to end the shutdown, the question is whether it will actually lead anywhere.

After Trump’s Tariffs, American Steel Industry Faces Downturn

Despite the President’s claims, the American steel industry isn’t doing well at all.

Justices Appear Skeptical Of Residency Requirements In Alcohol Sales Laws

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in a case that could make it easier for consumers to buy and ship wine and other adult beverages across state lines.

Signs Of Progress On Ending The Shutdown? Maybe, Maybe Not

With Democrats making a new proposal and the President set to speak later today, there could be movement on ending the government shutdown. I wouldn’t be too optimistic, though.

Mueller’s Office Disputes Report That Trump Told Cohen To Lie To Congress

In a rare public statement, the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller is disputing reports that the President directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress.

Let Congress Go Home For The Recess, Let Them Hear From The People

Instead of staying in Washington, Congress should go on recess so Members of Congress and Senators can hear from the people how the shutdown is impacting them.

Trump Losing Support Among Part Of His Base

New polling seems to indicate that President Trump is losing support among an important part of his base.

Report Alleges That President Trump Directed Michael Cohen To Lie To Congress

A new blockbuster report implicates the President in no less than five Federal crimes.

Temper Tantrums Abound As Shutdown Continues

As the government shutdown continues, Washington is coming to resemble a fight between toddlers. Except the toddlers have the excuse of not knowing any better.

Trump Responds To Pelosi By Canceling Military Air Support For Congressional Trips

President Trump responded to the suggestion that the State of the Union be rescheduled by revoking military transportation for a Congressional trip to visit troops in Afghanistan.

Does Tulsi Gabbard Have A “Natural Born Citizen” Problem? No, She Doesn’t

Tulsi Gabbard was born in American Samoa, an American territory whose residents are generally not American citizens from birth. However, she is nonetheless a “natural born citizen.”

Rudy Giuliani: When I Said There Was ‘No Collusion’ I Didn’t Mean There Was No Collusion

Once again, Rudy Giuliani is contradicting his client.

Republicans In Congress Have Never Really Supported Trump’s Border Wall

Despite their rhetoric, Republicans in Congress have shown through their own inaction that they don’t really support the President’s border wall.

Shutdown Drags On, And The Numbers Get Worse For Trump

As the shutdown continues the numbers get worse for the President, but he doesn’t seem to care.

Theresa May Survives No-Confidence Vote But The Future Remains Unclear

Theresa May survived the Labour Party’s call for a no-confidence vote, but the future for her and for her country remain as hazy as ever.

Federal Judge Blocks Citizenship Question From 2020 Census

A Federal Judge has blocked the Trump Administration from going forward with a plan to put a question about citizenship on the 2020 Census.

Nancy Pelosi To Trump: Cancel The State Of The Union Until The Government Reopens

Nancy Pelosi is “suggesting” to the President that the State of the Union be rescheduled for a time after the government shutdown ends, but it clearly seems like more than just a suggestion.

Kirsten Gillibrand Enters The Race For President

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is the latest Democratic entrant into the 2020 race for President.

Theresa May Likely To Survive No Confidence Vote, Next Steps Are Unclear

Theresa May is likely to survive today’s no confidence vote, but what happens after that is unclear given that changes to her Brexit deal seem unlikely.

William Barr Appears To Sail Through Confirmation Hearing

The confirmation hearing for President Trump’s nominee for Attorney General appeared to go very well, making confirmation essentially a certainty.

As Shutdown Continues, Concern Turns To Its Economic Impact

As the shutdown drags on, it’s beginning to have an impact on the economy.

House Of Commons Overwhelmingly Rejects Theresa May’s Brexit Deal

Theresa May’s Brexit deal suffered the worst defeat in the modern history of the British Parliament, and nobody is sure what happens next.

Steve King Stripped Of Committee Assignments Over Racist Comments

The House GOP has moved to rebuke Iowa Congressman for his racist remarks. What took them so long?

Trump Talked About Withdrawing U.S. From NATO, Aides Say

Donald Trump continues to appear to advocate ideas that harm American national interests and benefit Vladimir Putin. Draw your own conclusions as to why.

SCOTUS To Hear Case That Could Make It Easier To Buy Wine From Out Of State

Tomorrow the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in a case that could make it easier to order and ship wine from out-of-state retailers.

Brexit Faces Decisive Vote In House Of Commons

Later today, Theresa May’s Brexit deal will face a decisive vote in the House of Commons in a vote that could have implications for May’s own hold on power.

Shutdown Drags On With No End In Sight As Trump Refuses To Relent

After twenty-five days, there’s no end in sight to the Federal Government shutdown. You can thank the President for that.

Happy 14th Blogiversary To Ann Althouse!

Ann Althouse hits a blogging anniversary.