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.

Obama Calls Out ‘Woke’ Culture

Former President Obama called out so-called ‘woke’ culture in a talk late last week.

Ocasio-Cortez Settles Lawsuit Over Twitter Blocking, Apologizes

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has apologized for blocking constituents on Twitter as part of a legal settlement.

Second Circuit Rejects Trump Effort To Block Tax Return Subpoena

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals handed President Trump a loss in his effort to prevent prosecutors in New York from getting copies of his tax returns.

State Legislature On The Line In Virginia, Where Trump Is Very Unpopular

Virginia voters don’t like Donald Trump, or Republicans in general, very much right now, and that could translate into Democrats taking control of the state legislature for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Governor’s Elections In Mississippi, Kentucky At Top Of Mostly Quiet 2019 Election Day

It’s mostly a quiet Election Day around the country, but there are some races for Governor worth watching.

Open Forum

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

Biden, Warren Lead Race For Democratic Nomination

Two weeks after the most recent debate, Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren are pulling ahead in the polls.

Smugglers Getting Over, And Through, Trump’s Border Wall

Smugglers are getting over and through Trump’s border wall with material you can buy at your local Home Depot.

Democrats Open Fire On Warren’s ‘Medicare For All’ Plan

Elizabeth Warren’s fellow Democrats aren’t so thrilled with her ‘Medidare For All’ plan.

Federal Court Blocks Alabama Abortion Law

A Federal District court Judge in Alabama has blocked implementation of that state’s latest attempt to challenge Roe v. Wade

Elizabeth Warren’s ‘Medicare For All’ Plan Is Utopian And Probably Unconstitutional

Senator Elizabeth Warren released a more detailed version of her ‘Medicare For All” plan late last week. It leaves much to be desired.

Brexit Could Be The End Of The United Kingdom

Brexit seems like it’s inevitable at this point, and that could set in motion a series of events that would mean the end of the United Kingdom.

The Military Has A Suicide Problem

Suicide has become a bigger threat to members of the military and veterans than combat. That needs to change.

Boris Johnson In Strong Shape As General Election Campaign Begins

With the 2019 United Kingdom General Election campaign just starting, Boris Johnson and the Tories look to be in strong shape. However, anything can happen in the next six weeks.

Open Forum

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

Is Pete Buttigieg’s Sexual Orientation Hurting His Campaign?

With Pete Buttigieg rising in the polls, but underperforming among African-Americans, some are wondering if his sexual orientation is holding him back.

Lt. Col. Vindman Told To ‘Keep Quiet’ About Ukraine Phone Call

And now we have evidence of a clear effort at a coverup by high-level White House employees. The question would be, what did the President know and when did he know it?

Kamala Harris Cuts Back Presence In New Hampshire As Money Becomes Tight

Kamala Harris’s Presidential race continues to his bumpy roads.

Beto O’Rourke Drops Out Of Presidential Race

Beto O;Rourke finally faces reality.

Why Republicans Probably Won’t Benefit From The Economy In 2020

While the economy is likely to remain at its current levels for the next year, that probably won’t help Trump and the GOP much.

Twitter Stops Accepting Political Advertising

Twitter is banning all political advertising from its site. It is a largely meaningless decision, but it’s still a bad idea.

October Jobs Report Beats Expectations, But Still Comes In As Anemic

October’s jobs report came back better than expected but hardly something to cheer.

Proof Of A Quid Pro Quo On Ukraine Is Coming From Inside The White House

The proof of a quid pro quo is coming from inside the President’s own Administration.

Donald Trump Is Now Florida Man

Donald Trump is moving his permanent residence south, where he should be right at home.

Open Forum

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

The Next Steps Forward On Impeachment

The next steps in the impeachment process are relatively easy to predict.

House Backs Rules For Impeachment Inquiry

Today the House of Representatives approved the procedures for the impeachment proceeding against the President.

Trump May Not Benefit Politically From Al-Baghdadi’s Death

If President Trump expected to get a political bump from the death of the leader of ISIS, he is most likely going to be disappointed.

Another Top Republican Abandons The Sinking Ship Of Trump’s GOP

Greg Mankiw, an economist who served as a top adviser to Mitt Romney and George W. Bush, is officially no longer a Republican

Bleeding Cash, Kamala Harris Cuts Campaign Staff, And Spending

Facing a cash crunch, Kamala Harris is shedding campaign staff and cutting spending. This seldom ends well.

Washington Nationals Win First World Series

The Washington Nationals won their first World Series in franchise history, and the first for Washington, D.C. since Calvin Coolidge was President.

Economy Grew At Anemic 1.9% In Third Quarter, Hinting At A Slowdown Ahead

The economy grew an anemic 1.9% in the third quarter according to the first estimate of the state of the economy over the summer.

United Kingdom Sets December 12th Election Date

Brits will head to the polls for the fourth time in four years with the future of Brexit on the ballot.

N.S.C. Aide Gives Damning Testimony About Trump-Zelensky Phone Call

Yesterday’s testimony by Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman including information particularly damaging to the President and his defenses to the charges against him in the Ukraine matter.

Open Forum

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

Democrats Down To The Final Five?

Based on a number of factors, it appears that the Democratic field for 2020 has shrunk from more than 20 to just 5 viable candidates. Is there room for more?

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No, The Republican Tax Cuts Aren’t ‘Paying For Themselves’

Contrary to the promises of December 2017, the Republican tax cuts are not paying for themselves. Instead, they are helping lead us to trillion-dollar deficits.

Liz Cheney For Senate?

It’s not clear if Congresswoman Liz Cheney wants to run for the open Senate seat in Wyoming. If she did, though, she’d be the prohibitive favorite.

Kay Hagan, Former North Carolina Senator, Dead At 66

Former North Caroline Senator Kay Hagan has died,

Jeff Sessions For Senate Again?

Former Senator and Attorney General Jeff Sessions is reportedly considering running for his old Senate seat.

European Union Agrees To Brexit Deadline Extension

With just days to go before the end of the month, the European Union has agreed to another Brexit extension. Before we get there, though, thee’s likely to be another General Election.

Trump’s World Series Trip Greeted By Boos and Chants Of “Lock Him Up!”

It wasn’t exactly a warm reception for President Trump at last night’s World Series Game Five.

California Rep. Katie Hill Resigns Amid Allegations Of Improper Sexual Behavior

Barely in office a year, California Congresswoman Katie Hill has been forced to resign in the face of inappropriate contact with a staff member and a campaign worker.

Open Forum

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

iphone smartphone finger iphone smartphone finger

Don’t Be Afraid Of Technology

There’s far more good in technology than bad, but these days we seem to be far more focused on the bad right now.

John Kelly Says He Warned Trump Of Impeachment If He Hired “Yes” Men

John Kelly, President Trump’s former Chief of Staff, is speaking out nearly a year after leaving office

Leader Of ISIS Believed Killed In Raid In Syria

There’s apparently big news in the fight against ISIS.

Federal Judge Rejects Republican Argument Against Impeachment Inquiry

A Federal District Court Judge gave the House of Representatives, and the nation, a big win yesterday.

Open Forum

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