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.

Fate Of Senate Tax Plan Still In Doubt

With time running out in the year, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that the Senate GOP will be able to meet its deadlines on passing a tax reform bill.

Supreme Court Declines Appeal Of Case Upholding Maryland Ban On Assault Weapons

The Supreme Court has declined to hear yet another Second Amendment case.

Hundreds Killed In Terrorist Attack On Mosque In Egypt

A horrible terror attack in Egypt.

Michael Flynn’s Legal Team Ends Cooperation With President Trump’s Legal Team

Potentially bad news for President Trump in connection with the Russia investigation.

Two More Women Say Al Franken Groped Them

More troubles for Minnesota Senator Al Franken.

Happy Thanksgiving From Outside The Beltway!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Second Federal Judge Issues Order Blocking Trump’s Transgender Military Ban

For the second time in as many months, a Federal Court is blocking the Administration’s ban on transgender troops in the military.

Robert Mugabe Resigns As President Of Zimbabwe

After nearly four decades in power, Robert Mugabe has stepped down after a military coup. What happens next is another, more complicated, question.

Trump Endorses Moore Despite Molestation Charges

President Trump put his thumb on the scale for Roy Moore, ignoring the allegations of harassment and sexual abuse that have been made against the candidate.

Federal Judge Issues Order Barring Cut Off Of Funding To ‘Sanctuary Cities’

A Federal Judge in California has entered an order permanently blocking a Trump Administration effort to deny funding to so-called sanctuary cities.

Assessing The 2018 Battle For Control Of Congress

The early numbers in the battle to control Congress look good for Democrats, but there are are a number of caveats to keep in mind.

Another Year, Another Stupid Controversy Over Starbucks Holiday Cups

Some conservatives appear to believe that this year’s Starbucks coffee cops are “promoting a gay agenda.”

Roy Moore Accuser Speaks Out While White House Effectively Endorses Moore

The woman who says Ray Moore assaulted her when she was just 14 spoke out this morning at the same time that the White House effectively endorsed Moore’s candidacy.

Robert Mugabe Ignores Deadline For Resignation

The next step in Zimbabwe seems entirely unclear as long-time dictator Robert Mugabe refuses to formally give up power.

A Peek Inside North Korea Paints A Grim Picture

A recent defection from North Korea gives us a peek inside the DPRK, and it’s not pretty.

Notorious Mass Murderer Charles Manson Dead at 83

Charles Manson, who led a cult-like “family” to a series of murders in 1969 and subsequently spent more than 40 years in prison, has died at the age of 83.

Donald Trump’s Pettiness On Display Yet Again

Donald Trump is without question the pettiest, most vindictive person to ever occupy the Oval Office.

Presidential Authority To Order Nuclear Launches In The Trump Era

Is it time to reexamine Presidential authority to launch a nuclear strike?

Mugabe Removed As Head Of Zimbabwe’s Ruling Party, Threatened With Impeachment

After more than thirty years in power, Robert Mugabe is on his way out in Zimbabwe, but that doesn’t mean things will improve.

Trump’s Tweets Are Hurting Him, And His Aides Can’t Stop Him

There’s growing evidence that Donald Trump’s tweets are hurting him but his aides have basically given up trying to control his Twitter habit.

Malcolm Young, Legendary Rock Guitarist And AC/DC Co-Founder, Dies At 63

A huge loss for the world of Rock & Roll.

Roy Moore And Standards Of Proof

No, we don’t have to presume that Roy Moore is “innocent until proven guilty.”

The Roy Moore Case Has Become The Focal Point In The Republican Civil War

The differing reactions among Republicans in Washington and the base of the Republican Party to the charges against Roy Moore have enhanced a civil war inside the Republican Party.

Democratic Senator Says Bill Clinton Should Have Resigned Over Lewinsky Affair

New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand says Bill Clinton should have resigned over his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Raising the question of just how stringently we should apply the standards of today to the events of the past.

Polling Shows Alabama Senate Race May Be Slipping Away From Roy Moore

Could the tide be turning in the Alabama Senate race against Roy Moore? At least some polling indicates the answer could be yes.

House Passes Tax Reform Bill On Party-Line Vote

House Republicans passed their tax reform bill. That was the easy part.

Case Against Senator Bob Menendez Ends In Mistrial

New Jersey Senate Bob Menendez has temporarily dodged a bullet, but his ultimate fate is far from clear.

Senator Al Franken Accused Of Groping A Woman In 2006

A Los Angeles reporter says that Minnesota Senator Al Franken groped her and engaged in other inappropriate conduct during a 2006 USO tour.

Signs Of Russian Meddling In Brexit Vote

It appears Russia attempted to influence last year’s Brexit vote in the same manner it did the 2016 election in the United States.

Four More Women Come Forward With Accusations Against Roy Moore

The charges against Roy Moore continue to mount as national Republicans continue to push back against him.

After 300 Days, Donald Trump Sees No Accomplishments And Dwindling Job Approval

Donald Trump has been President 300 days and the record reveals no real accomplishments and increased dissatisfaction with the job he’s doing.

Senate Tax Plan Will Include Provision To Eliminate Obamacare’s Individual Mandate

For some reason, Senate Republicans want to attach a bad health care reform idea onto an already controversial tax reform bill.

Fox News Host Shepard Smith Debunks His Own Network’s Favorite Clinton Conspiracy Theory

A Fox News host has debunked the Uranium One conspiracy theory being pushed by his own network.

Australians Vote Overwhelmingly In Favor Of Marriage Equality In Non-Binding Referendum

An overwhelming majority of Australians voted in favor of marriage equality in a non-binding referendum. The ball is now in the court of the nation’s legislature to move forward.

Trump’s Asian Trip Leaves Allies Wondering And Doubting

President Trump returns home from an Asian trip that wasn’t exactly impressive.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Trump Lies 1,628 Times. The Truth Dies.

Since taking office, President Trump has made an average of 5.5 false claims per day.

Donald Trump Jr. Had Direct Contact With Wikileaks Regarding Information About Clinton

More indications that Donald Trump Jr. was heavily involved in Trump campaign efforts to coordinate with foreign contacts regarding damaging information about Hillary Clinton.

Another Roy Moore Accuser Steps Forward As Senate Republicans Turn Against Him

Another Alabama woman accuses Roy Moore of sexually assaulting him when she was a teenager.

The Insanity Of Preemptive War Against North Korea

A preemptive attack on North Korea would be illegal, immoral and, most importantly, insane.

The Mentality Of Roy Moore’s Defenders

Roy Moore’s most die-hard defenders are living in a world of their own, and it’s unlikely they’ll change their minds.

Donald Trump Continues His Efforts To Undermine The Russia Investigation

Even during an overseas trip, President Trump continues to try to undermine the Russia investigation.

Donald Trump’s Unqualified Judges

As a candidate, Donald Trump liked to claim that he only hired the “top people.” and said he would do the same thing as President. So far, it isn’t working out that way.

Deplorable Republicans Are Defending The Deplorable Roy Moore

While many on the right are condemning Roy Moore, there are far too many prevaricators and defenders out there.

Joe Biden 2020?

Will Joe Biden be ‘tan, rested, and ready’ enough to take on 2020?

Republican Senate Nominee Roy Moore Accused Of Abusing Four Women When They Were Teens

Republican Senate nominee Roy Moore is accused of having molested a 14-year-old girl when he was in his 30s.

Republicans Face The Reality That Trump Is A Political Albatross They Can’t Get Away From

Republicans have a Donald Trump problem, and they can’t run away from it.

Momentum For A Law Banning Bump Stocks Has Slowed

Notwithstanding overwhelming public support, Congress is not moving forward on a proposal to ban bump stocks.

Maine Voters Vote To Expand Medicaid, Making An End Run Around Governor LePage

Voters in Maine hand their conservative Governor a setback.

Ralph Northam Defeats Ed Gillespie In Virginia In Strong Democratic Rebuke Of Trump

Democrats, Republicans, and Independents came out for an an election that can only been seen as a strong rebuke to President Trump and the Republican Party.