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.

West Virginia Secretary Of State Bars Third-Party Bid By GOP Primary Loser

The Secretary of State of West Virginia has barred Don Blankenship, who came in third place in the GOP Primary, from mounting a third-party bid on the November ballot.

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick Resigns As Sexual Abuse Allegations Mount

One of the most prominent members of the American Catholic hierarchy has been removed from office in the face of mounting allegations of sexual abuse that stretch back decades.

Scott Walker In Trouble In Wisconsin?

A new poll suggests that Governor Scott Walker could be in trouble as he seeks a third term as Governor of Wisconsin, but he’s been counted out before only bounce back and confound the doubters.

CBS Chairman And CEO Les Moonves Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

One of the biggest names in Hollywood stands accused of sexual misconduct by a number of women in yet another ground-breaking report by Ronan Farrow.

Trump’s Top Financial Man Called To Testify Before Grand Jury

The man who knows all of Donald Trump’s financial secrets has been called to testify before the Grand Jury investigating Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.

Mueller Looking At Trump’s Twitter Feed As Part Of Obstruction Investigation

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly looking at the President’s Twitter feed as part of his ongoing investigation.

Initial Estimate Shows Economy Grew 4.1% In Second Quarter

The economy grew at an exceptionally strong pace according to the first estimate of GDP growth, but several caveats remain.

Michael Cohen Says Trump Knew About 2016 Trump Tower Meeting With Russians

Former Trump lawyer and “fixer” Michael Cohen is reportedly ready to tell investigators that the President is lying about his knowledge regarding the June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower between Trump campaign officials and a Russian lawyer.

That U.S.-E.U. Trade War Truce Is Less Than Meets The Eye

President Trump and the President of the European Commission announced an agreement late yesterday on trade issues, but it’s long on promises and short on results.

Democrats Continue To Lead In Generic Congressional Ballot

New polling shows that the ground looks fertile for Democrats in the fall.

Ninth Circuit Strikes Down Hawaii Law Barring Open Carry Of Weapons

A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down part of a Hawaii law barring open carry of weapons, but this win for gun rights advocates may turn out to be short-lived.

Administration Says Second Putin Summit Is Delayed

Contrary to last week’s reports, we won’t be seeing a second summit with Vladimir Putin in the near future.

New Jersey Puts Marijuana Prosecutions On Hold, Anticipating Legalization

The Garden State has put a hold on marijuana prosecutions in anticipation of full legalization by the end of the year.

Michael Cohen Releases Tape Of Conversation With Trump About McDougal Payoff

A new recording of a conversation between Donald Trump and his one-time attorney/”fixer” Michael Cohen appears to put the President in a more difficult position than he has already been in.

Trump Reportedly Sees Joe Biden As His Biggest Threat In 2020

Notwithstanding his dismissive public rhetoric about the former Vice-President, Donald Trump apparently sees Joe Biden as his biggest potential threat in 2020.

Third-Party Candidate Could Pose Problems For GOP Hopes Of Flipping West Virginia

Don Blankenship, who came in third in the Republican Primary in West Virginia earlier this year, is moving forward with plans to run as a third-party candidate in the General Election.

Another Poll Shows Majority Opposes Overruling Roe v. Wade

A fourth poll in less than a month shows that most Americans support keeping the rights protected in Roe v. Wade alive.

Why Should Iran Trust The United States?

The Trump’s Administration’s rhetoric and actions have given the Iranians no reason to trust the United States going forward.

How Will Trump’s Trade War Impact American Politics?

If President Trump’s trade war continues, it could have a serious impact on the political fortunes of President Trump and his party.

Ohio Congressman Who Challenged Pelosi Says He’s Running For President

Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, who challenged Nancy Pelosi for a leadership spot in 2016, is telling supporters he’s running for President in 2020.

Trump Administration Considering Revoking Security Clearances Of Administration Critics

Based on what can only be described as pure vindictiveness, the President is apparently planning on revoking security clearances of former officials who have been outspoken against the Administration and its policies.

Trump Threatens To Up The Ante On His Trade War

The President is apparently getting ready to take yet another ill-advised step in his ill-advised, economically illiterate trade war.

Majority Disapproves Of Trump’s Handling Of Russia In Wake Of Summit

Most Americans disapprove of the President’s handling of our relationship with Russia, and foreign policy more generally, in the wake of the Helsinki Summit. That’s not having much of an impact on his overall job approval, though.

The Reality Of North Korea Isn’t Living Up To Trump’s Rhetoric

To the surprise of nobody other than, apparently, the President of the United States, the North Koreans are dragging their feet after getting what they wanted out of the Photo Op Summit in Singapore.

Trump’s Goes Off On Insane Late Night Iran Tirade

The President was up late last night sending an incredibly over-the-top tweet directed at Iran.

Jon Huntsman Pushes Back Against Calls To Resign In Wake Of Trump’s Helsinki Disaster

Jon Huntsman, the U.S. Ambassador to Russia, is rejecting calls that he should resign in the wake of what everyone seems to agree was a disastrous summit meeting with Vladimir Putin.

A Senate Surprise In The Garden State? Probably Not

New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez is running for a third term under a dark ethical cloud. That probably won’t matter.

Trump Wants To Redesign Air Force One

Donald Trump wants a flashier looking Air Force One. What could possibly go wrong?

Four Democratic States File Legally Dubious Lawsuit Against New Tax Law

New York and several other states have filed an incredibly dubious lawsuit against the Republican’s new tax law.

Republicans Pick Charlotte For 2020 Convention

Republicans will hold their 2020 National Convention in the same city that hosted the Democrats back in 2012.

Trump’s Military Parade To Cost At Least $12,000,000

Donald Trump’s military parade will cost roughly the same as military exercises in South Korea he has previously called “tremendously expensive.”

Michael Cohen Recorded Conversation With Trump Regarding Payoff To Playboy Model

Donald Trump’s longtime attorney and “fixer” Michael Cohen apparently recorded a conversation where the two men discussed paying off a Playboy model who claims she had an affair with him.

N.F.L. Puts New Anthem Policy On Hold

In the wake of a grievance filed by the union representing players, the N.F.L. has suspended the new National Anthem policy it announced earlier this year. This guarantees even more cynical political exploitation by the President.

Trump Invites Putin To D.C. For A Second Summit

The Trump Administration is inviting Vladimir Putin to Washington, D.C. for a second summit in the fall. What could possibly go wrong?

So What Did Trump And Putin Agree To That We Don’t Know About?

We still don’t know what President Trump and Vladimir Putin talked about or agreed to during their two-hour meeting on Monday.

Republican Voters Don’t Care About Russian Interference In American Elections

Three new polls show that Republicans basically agree with the leader of their party when it comes to the issue of Russian interference in American elections.

Initiative To Split California Into Three States Blocked From Appearing On Ballot

An initiative that would have purported to split California into three separate states has been barred by the California Supreme Court from appearing on the November ballot.

Trump Walks Back His Walk Back, Denies Russia Is Trying To Influence 2018 Elections

It took less than twenty-four hours for President Trump to essentially repudiate his purported attempt to walk back the appalling comments he made in Helsinki.

Should Trump’s Translator Be Compelled To Testify About That Meeting With Putin?

Some Democrats want to compel President Trump’s translator to testify about his private meeting with Vladimir Putin. That’s a bad idea.

Early Polling Finds Public Lukewarm On Kavanaugh Nomination

Initial polling on Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court find the public more divided than they have been for other recent SCOTUS picks, but that’s unlikely to impact the fate of his nomination.

Trump Attempts Absurd Walk Back Of Post-Summit Comments

One day after an embarrassing performance at the Helsinki Summit, President Trump an absurd, completely unbelieve walk back of things the entire world heard him say loud and clear.

Bill Nelson Looking Vulnerable In Florida

Rick Scott is pulling in impressive fundraising numbers, giving Democrats reason to worry that they’ll have another Senate seat to worry about in November.

Russian “Gun Rights Activist” Charged With Being Russian Agent

Mariia Butina, a Russian “gun rights activist, is accused of being an unregistered agent of the Russian government and attempting to influence Republican Party policies regarding Russia in an operation that pre-dates the Trump Presidential campaign.

Trump Sells Out To Putin

President Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin was an even bigger disaster than anticipated.

GOP Tax Cuts Not Leading To Increased Wages

Despite Republican hopes, the tax cuts passed by Congress in December are not manifesting themselves in increased wages.

Democrats Already Gearing Up For 2020 Battles

The midterm elections are still four months away, but Democrats are already making moves to prepare for the race for their party’s Presidential nomination in 2020.

No Matter What Comes Out Of Helsinki, Putin Has Already Won

Even if all he gets out of the Helsinki Summit is a handshake and a photograph, Vladimir Putin has already won.

California’s Democratic Party Snubs Dianne Feinstein A Second Time

California’s Democratic Party endorsed “progressive” upstart Kevin de León over Senator Dianne Feinstein, but this is unlikely to stop Feinstein from winning election to a sixth term in office.