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.

The Trouble With Trump’s Pardons For War Criminals

Donald Trump’s pardons of soldiers convicted of war crimes sends the wrong message to the military, to our allies, and to the world.

Trump Knew Of Whistleblower Complaint Before Lifting Hold On Ukraine Aid

New revelations punch a big hole in Republican defenses of the President.

Impeachment Polling Largely Steady After Hearings

After two weeks of hearings, public opinion has not moved very much on the impeachment of the President.

House Judiciary Committee To Begin Impeachment Hearings

The House Judiciary Committee is ready to begin its phase of impeachment hearings after Thanksgiving.

Open Forum

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

Trump Gets A Temporary Victory At The Supreme Court

Late yesterday, the Supreme Court put a temporary hold on an order that would give Congress access to the President’s financial documents.

Federal Court Rules Against White House On Witness Subpoenas

A Federal Judge in Washington, D.C. has ruled against the Trump Administration’s latest effort to stonewall Congressional inquiries.

Poll Shows Four-Way Battle In New Hampshire

The latest poll out of New Hampshire shows four candidates at the top in a very close race.

Bloomberg Not Worried About Missing Democratic Debates

Under the Democratic National Committee’s current qualification rules, Michael Bloomberg’s self-funded campaign means he wouldn’t qualify for any future debate. He doesn’t seem worried about that.

Andrew Yang Boycotting MSNBC Over Debate Speaking Time

Andrew Yang is upset about the fact that he’s largely being ignored at the Democratic debates. He’s right, but that’s at least partly his fault.

Donald Trump’s Supporters Are Living In #Cult45

The Republican Party is a cult with Donald Trump at the center and his ardent supporters are brainwashed cult members.

Pro-Democracy Voters Send A Strong Message To Beijing On Hong Kong

Hong Kong voters send a strong message to Beijing, and the world.

California Supreme Court Strikes Down Tax Return Disclosure Law

The California Supreme Court has struck down a state law purporting to require a candidate for President to release their tax returns,

Lindsey Graham Blocked Armenian Genocide Resolution At White House Request

Earlier this month, Senator Lindsey Graham blocked a bipartisan resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide, Now we know why.

Navy Secretary Dismissed In Dispute Over Case Involving SEAL Accused Of War Crimes

The Secretary of the Navy was abruptly dismissed late yesterday in a dispute over the a case involving a SEAL accused of war crimes.

Open Forum

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

After Months Of Protests, Hong Kong Heads To The Polls

After months of anti-government protests, Hong Kong headed to the polls in record number.

Justice Ginsburg Hospitalized

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent the weekend in the hospital over concerns about a possible infection.

Mike Bloomberg Is Running For President.

After flirting with the idea many times over the past decade and a half, Mike Bloomberg is officially running for President.

Mike Pompeo Looks For An Exit

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looks ready to jump ship in favor of a run for Senate,

Justice Department Report Undermines GOP Conspiracy Theory On Russia Investigation

An internal Justice Department investigation fails to find any evidence of political bias in the Russia investigation.

Open Forum

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

While Republicans Push Debunked Ukraine Conspiracy Theory, Putin Takes A Victory Lap

As Republicans and their conservative cohorts spread a discredited conspiracy theory about the 2016 election, Vladimir Putin smiles at yet another victory.

About Biden’s Gaffes

A new article puts Joe Biden’s gaffes and malapropisms in a new light.

Impeachment Witnesses Leave Republican Defenses Revealed As Absurdities

The final two witnesses in this week’s public hearings before the House Intelligence Committee reduced the Republican talking points in the President’s defense looking as absurd as they have always been.

Viewership For Fifth Democratic Debate Drops Significantly

Wednesday night’s debate drew the smallest television audience of any of the debates so far.

Mike Bloomberg Takes Another Step Toward Officially Running

Mike Bloomberg isn’t officially a candidate for President yet, but he’s getting closer.

Benjamin Netanyahu Indicted On Multiple Charges

After a year of controversy and investigation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been indicated on charges of fraud and bribery.

One Of Deval Patrick’s Appearances Draws Empty Room

Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick isn’t exactly starting out on the right foot.

Gantz Unable To Form New Government, Israeli Politics Becomes More Chaotic

Blue & White Party Leader Benny Gantz was unable to form a new government, throwing Israel into another political crisis.

How A Senate Impeachment Trial Could Impact The Democratic Nomination Fight

A Senate Impeachment trial in early January would have a serious impact on the race for the Democratic nomination.

Democrats Clash In Fifth Debate

The fifth Democratic debate brought some candidate clashes, but hardly the no-holds-barred type of event you might expect for this late in the pre-primary process.

Trump Growing More Agitated As Impeachment Inquiry Continues, Reports Say

As the walls close in, the President is growing more agitated.

Open Forum

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

Trump Ambassador: Yes, There Was A Quid Pro Quo

Donald Trump’s Ambassador to the European Union provides yet more evidence to support impeachment of the President.

Republicans Attack An American War Veteran, Have They No Decency?

Republicans used to honor the men and women who serve our country. In the Trump Era, they attack them in defense of the President.

Previewing The Fifth Democratic Debate

Taking a look at the state of the race as Democratic prepare to clash in tonight’s fifth debate.

North Korea Not Interested In Any Talks With U.S.

The Trump Administration’s strategy in North Korea is an utter failure.

Long Day Of Impeachment Hearings Brings More Evidence Against Trump

After a long day of hearings, the case against the President is becoming clearer and Republican defenses becoming more absurd.

Meth. South Dakota Is On It.

South Dakota launched a new ad campaign to deal with its methamphetamine crisis. They missed the mark.

Trump Ignores International Law, Hands Israel Another Gift

Reversing decades of policy, the Trump Administration reversed decades of policy on settlements in disputed territory.

Biden’s South Carolina Firewall

Former Vice-President Joe Biden continues to hold a strong lead in South Carolina even while slipping in other early states.

Impeachment Hearings Enter Busy Second Week

Today begins another week of impeachment hearings by the House Intelligence Committee. By the time the smoke clears, the ground could have shifted significantly for the President.

Open Forum

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

Chick-Fil-A To Stop Donations To Anti-LGBT Groups

Chick-Fil-A is ending its charitable giving to organizations that oppose LGBT rights, and conservatives are predictably freaking out.

Arizona Cop Under Investigation For Abusing Quadrapalegic Teenager

An inexcusable assault on an utterly defenseless African-American teenager.

Democratic Candidates Criticize Caucuses

Many of the 2020 Democratic candidates for President are arguing that the caucus process itself is unfair and undemocratic. They’re right.

William Barr Is Exactly The Kind Of Attorney General Trump Always Wanted

Late last week, Attorney General William Barr demonstrated quite aptly the extent to which he has become just another Trump loyalist.

Jeff Sessions Airs Obsequious Pro-Trump Ad

Jeff Sessions demonstrates just how obsequious he’s willing to be to get his Senate seat back.