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.

Montana GOP House Candidate Charged With Assault After Body Slamming Reporter

The Republican candidate in today’s Special Election in Montana has been charged with assaulting a reporter.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Donald Trump’s Loose Lips

Donald Trump seems to have an odd habit of sharing highly classified information with questionable people.

Al Franken Says He’s Not Running For President

Minnesota Senator Al Franken says he’s not running for President. Is this a real denial, or a non-denial denial, though?

Trump Hires Outside Lawyer For Russia Investigations

Trump’s decision to retain outside counsel is not surprising. Whether he will listen to Kasowitz any more than he appears to be listening to his White House advisers, of course, is an entirely different question.

Democrats May Be About To Flip Montana’s At-Large House Seat

There’s a Special Election in Montana tomorrow, and the Democratic candidate is performing far above expectations.

Former Director: C.I.A. Found ‘Suspicious Contact’ Between Trump Campaign And Russians

Former C.I.A. Director John Brennan testified before a House Committee today, and what he had to say was not good news for the Trump Administration.

James Bond Actor Roger Moore Dead At 89

Roger Moore, who played James Bond for a longer period and in more films than any other actor to date, has died at the age of 89.

Trump Asked Intelligence Officials To Push Back Against F.B.I. Russia Investigation

Yet another report that the President of the United States sought to undermine an ongoing F.B.I. investigation.

Bombing At Ariana Grande Concert In Manchester, England Kills 22, Wounds Dozens

A night of carnage and depravity in the United Kingdom.

Flynn Refuses To Comply With Congressional Subpoena, Invokes Fifth Amendment Rights

Lt. General Michael Flynn is declining to comply with a Congressional subpoena regarding the Russia investigation, and invoking his rights under the Fifth Amendment.

Supreme Court Rejects Racially Gerrymandered Districts In North Carolina

An important redistricting decision was handed down by the Supreme Court today.

Trump’s Muslim Speech Was A Change In Tone, But It’s Unlikely To Accomplish Anything

President Trump’s speech on Islam was a change of tone. However, as critics noted, it was short on substance and is unlikely to accomplish anything.

Jeb Bush: I Told You So

Jeb Bush predicted that Donald Trump would preside over a “chaos Presidency,” and he was right.

James Comey To Testify Publicly On Trump Efforts To Influence Russia Investigation

Coming to a television set or Internet livestream near you sometime after Memorial Day.

Iranian President Rouhani Overwhelmingly Re-Elected

Iranian voters have re-elected Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate whose election in 2013 was largely responsible for the shifts in policy that made the international agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear research program possible.

Senior White House Official Is ‘Person Of Interest’ In Russia Investigation

The Russia investigation seems to be getting closer to the Oval Office.

Trump Told Russian Officials Of Link Between Comey’s Firing And Russia Investigation

The evidence that President Trump fired James Comey in an effort to quash the Russia investigation continues to mount.

Anthony Weiner To Plead Guilty

The Anthony Weiner saga comes to an ignominious end.

Joe Lieberman For F.B.I Director?

For some reason, Joe Lieberman is apparently the front-runner to replace James Comey at the F.B.I.

Trump To Keep Iran Nuclear Deal, For Now

During the campaign, Donald Trump promised to undo the nuclear weapons deal with Iran. Now his Administration is signaling that, at least for now, the deal will stay in place.

Despite Promise, Trump Won’t Be Moving U.S. Embassy To Jerusalem

Despite campaign rhetoric, President Trump won’t be moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel anytime soon.

Donald Trump’s Persecution Complex

After news of the appointment of a special counsel in the Russia investigation, Donald Trump’s persecution complex was on full display.

Trump Team Knew Flynn Was Under Investigation Before Naming Him National Security Adviser

The Trump White House knew Michael Flynn was under investigation and named him National Security Adviser anyway.

No, The 25th Amendment Isn’t The Way To Solve The Donald Trump Problem

A Constitutional coup d’etat is not the way to solve the Donald Trump problem.

Impeachment Talk Grows, But It’s Not Going To Happen Anytime Soon

Even with the revelations of the last three weeks, impeaching the President is still largely a fantasy.

Fox News Channel’s Alternate Reality

In Fox News Channel’s America, Donald Trump can do no wrong and Hillary Clinton is still a threat.

Donald Trump Reportedly Asked Comey To Shut Down F.B.I. Investigation Of Michael Flynn

Another day, another allegation against the President. This time, though, it’s very, very serious.

Ninth Circuit Hears Argument In Muslim Travel Ban Case

Another day in Court for President Trump’s Muslim ban.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Another Week, Another Demonstration Of President Trump’s Dangerous Incompetence

President Trump’s decision to share highly classified information with the Russians is yet another demonstration of his dangerous hubris and incompetence.

Trump Job Approval Falls To 38% In New Poll

Last week was one of the worst week’s the still-young Trump Administration has faced, and new tracking poll data is starting to reflect that.

Two Years After Obergefell, Public Support For Same-Sex Marriage Hits Another High

Two years after the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling, nearly two-thirds of Americans support the idea of legal marriage rights for gay and lesbian Americans.

Trump’s Advisers Are Feeding Him Genuinely Fake News, And That’s A Problem

The President is being fed “news” from questionable news sources, and that’s a problem.

What’s Taking So Long For Trump To Name U.S. Ambassadors?

Donald Trump has been President for nearly four months, but has yet to name Ambassadorial picks for many slots including several important posts.

North Korea Launches Another Missile Test

Another provocative move by North Korea.

Donald Trump To Put His Narcissism On Display In The White House

Soon visitors to the White House will be able to see Donald Trump’s “yuge” election win on display for all to see.

If Trump Really Was Trying To Hobble The Russia Investigation, He Has Failed Miserably

If President Trump’s decision to fire James Comey was motivated by an effort to impact the Russia investigation, this week has only served to guarantee it will continue and expand.

The Russia Investigation And The Comey Firing: Coincidences, Or Something More?

Was Jim Comey fired in an effort to impede the Russia investigation? Trump’s own words are making it sound more and more likely.

Majority Of Americans Oppose Republican Health Care Bill According To New Poll

A new poll shows that a majority of Americans oppose the American Health Care Act.

Comey Firing Driven By Trump’s Frustration Over Russia Investigation

Evidence continues to mount that the Russia investigation was the real motivation for President Trump’s decision to fire James Comey.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Trump’s Job Approval Hits New Lows

Trump’s job approval numbers continue to sink.

Republicans Face Health Care Blowback At Town Halls

Republicans are finding that their constituents aren’t very happy about the passage of the American Health Care Act.