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.

General Petraeus: “Burn A Koran” Day A Threat To U.S. Troops

The plan by one fringe church in Gainesville, Florida to burn copies of the Koran on September 11th is igniting fires of protest across the Muslim world.

Bad News For Democrats In The Buckeye State

Ohio has long been a bellwethers state and, if a new statewide poll is any indication, it looks to be ready to hand the Democrats a very bad defeat in November.

Bomb Iran ? No, That Would Be A Stupid Idea

Will Israel attack Iran ? You’d better hope not.

It’s Official: D.C. Drivers Suck

A new insurance industry survey confirms what anyone who’s spent an afternoon driving in metropolitan Washington, D.C. should already know in their heart.

Democrats Preparing To Cut Losses In Vulnerable Races

Democrats are sending some of their candidates to the Death Panels.

Republican Backlash Hits Tea Party Endorsee Christine O’Donnell

The nation’s 2nd smallest state is becoming the biggest battleground between the Establishment GOP and Tea Party insurgents.

Charlie Cook: The Senate Is In Play

For most of the year, a GOP takeover in the Senate seemed beyond the realm of possibility. That’s no longer the case.

Democrats Losing Young Voters

President Obama was a rock star on college campuses during the 2008 campaign, but that popularity has not necessarily turned into loyalty to the Democratic Party.

Another Month, Another Anemic Jobs Report

The August jobs numbers may be “better than expected,” but they still aren’t all that great.

Bush, Or Obama ?

2010 vs. 1994 Revisted, Part The Second

Another political analyst is out with a 2010 prediction that should make Democrats very nervous.

The Odd Case Of Delaware Tea Party Candidate Christine O’Donnell

The new tea party candidate in Delaware seems to be a rather odd bird.

So Much For The Illegal Immigration “Crisis”

The idea that we are in the middle of an illegal immigration crisis is not supported by the evidence.

Texas Forces Gay Couple To Stay Married

A case out of Texas demonstrates quite aptly the absurdity of the current patchwork quilt approach to same-sex marriage in the United States.

Obama On Iraq: “We Have Met Our Responsibility. Now, It’s Time To Turn The Page”

President Obama didn’t use the words “Mission Accomplished” last night, but the message was the same.

Public Opinion On Health Care Reform Turning Negative Again

The perfect storm of a bad economy and a new, massive, unpopular government entitlement program may be combing to cause serious damage to Democrats in November.

Arizona Governor Needlessly Freaks Out Over Human Rights Report To U.N.

An obscure U.N. human rights report has become the latest political outrage of the day in the battle over Arizona’s controversial immigration law.

Delaware GOP Primary In The Tea Party’s Crosshairs

Delaware’s September 14th Republican Senate Primary is shaping up to be the next battle between the Establishment GOP and the Tea Party movement.

GOP Takes Ten Point Lead In 2010 Generic Ballot

Republicans now have the largest lead in Gallup’s Generic Congressional Ballot poll that they’ve ever had.

Alaska Libertarians Say No To Murkowski Bid

Lisa Murkowski’s one chance at political survival if she loses the ongoing vote count in the Alaska GOP Senate Primary has gone out the window.

Despite Successful Endorsements, Palin’s Own Prospects Remain Dim

Sarah Palin has done pretty well at helping Republicans win primaries this year, but her own political popularity isn’t any better than it was after she left office last year.

Homebuyer Tax Credits: The Return Of A Really Bad Idea

After several months of bad housing sales, politicians in Washington are starting to talk about bringing back one of the worst public policy programs of the last two years.

Fear And The Housing Market

For many reasons, the housing market is unlikely to fully recover for the foreseeable future.

Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin Draw Large Crowd To Lincoln Memorial

Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin held a rally on the National Mall, but at times it sounded more like an old-time religious revival than a modern political rally.