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.

DNC Sets Criteria For December Debate

The stage for the sixth Democratic debate in December is likely to be much smaller.

Lawyer Argues Trump Could Kill A Guy And Be Immune From Investigation Or Prosection

What started out as a joke on the campaign trail has turned into a serious legal argument being made to a Federal Judge by an attorney for the President.

Tulsi Gabbard Won’t Run For Re-Election, Will Focus On Doomed White House Run

Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who is basically a non-entity in the race for the Democratic nomination, will not be running for re-election.

Another Unknown Candidate Drops Out Of Presidential Race

We won’t have whats-his-name to kick around anymore.

Texas Case Pits Transgender Rights Against Parental Rights

A custody case out of Texas raises issues about how to react to and treat a child who identifies as a gender different from their biological sex.

Poll Finds Little Support For Trump’s Syria Retreat

President Trump’s sudden decision to withdraw troops from Syria isn’t receiving much public support.

Republicans Grow Increasingly Desperate In Defense Of Trump

The GOP’s efforts to defend the President are becoming more desperate and pathetic by the day.

Open Forum

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

Post-Debate National Polls Show Biden Rebounding

The first round of polls after last week’s debate has good news for the former Vice-President.

Russia And Turkey Divide Up Northern Syria As U.S. Retreats

As American forces retreat, Russia and Turkey are dividing up northern Syria like,well,a turkey.

Top U.S. Diplomat Confirms Quid Pro Quo On Ukraine Aid

A top U.S. diplomat involved in Ukraine policy confirmed the existence of a quid pro quo regarding U.S aid to Ukraine.

ISIS A Big Winner After Trump’s Retreat

ISIS is quickly taking advantage of the abrupt American withdrawal from northern Syria.

Polling Shows Growing Support For Trump’s Impeachment And Removal

New polling is showing increased public support for President Trump’s impeachment and removal

Trudeau Holds On To Power In Minority Government

Justin Trudeau lost his majority but will still hold on to power in Canada, the question is how long it will last.

Open Forum

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

Netanyahu Fails In Effort To Form New Israeli Government

After a close election, Benjamin Netanyahu has given up on his effort to form a government.

Final State Department Review Finds No Wrongdoing Regarding Clinton Emails

In what is hopefully the final review of the mater, an internal State Department view finds no wrongdoing with regard to Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.

Mark Kelly Becoming A Strong Challenger To Martha McSally In Arizona

Former Astronaut Mark Kelly is posing a big challenge to Senator Martha McSally in Arizona.

Canadians Head To The Polls

It’s Election Day in Canada and the outcome is far from certain.

Trump Reverses Decision To Hold G-7 Summit At His Miami Golf Resort

After coming under fire for a decision designed primarily to benefit himself and his family, President Trump has decided to walk back the decision to hold the next G-7 Summit at one of his properties.

Open Forum

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

Parliament Hands Boris Johnson Another Brexit Defeat

Rather than getting a final vote on his Brexit deal, Prime Minister Boris johnson suffered another defeat.

Roy Moore’s Senate Bid Not Going So Well

Roy Moore’s second bid for the Senate isn’t going so well.

Elizabeth Warren And The Commander In Chief Test

So far at least, Elizabeth Warren is not doing a good job of articulating her foreign policy positions. That needs to change if she’s going to be a serious candidate.

Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump’s Diversion Of Funds To Border Wall

A Federal Court has struck down the President’s diversion of funds for his border wall.

Trump Seeks To Enrich Himself By Scheduling G-7 Summit At Trump Property

In what seems to be clear violations of the Foreign and Domestic Emoluments Clauses, the President is seeking to enrich himself and his family,

Rick Perry Leaving Energy Department

Confirming earlier rumors, Rick Perry announced that he’d be leaving his position as Secretary of Energy at the end of the year.

Open Forum

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

Pence And Pompeo ‘Ceasefire’ Benefits Turks, Syria, And Russia, Screws Kurds

American negotiators are claiming a ceasefire in northern Syria. The Turks, Syrians, and Russians are the winners, the Kurds are the losers, and we look like schmucks.

U.K. And E.U. Reach New Brexit Deal, But Will It Pass Parliament.

The United Kingdom and European Union have apparently reached a new Brexit deal, but it’s unclear if Boris Johnson can get it through Parliament.

Trump’s Unhinged Behavior On Full Display At Meeting With Pelosi

As the vultures continue to circle above the White House, the President continues to lash out.

Trump’s Lies Continue To Mount

As he reaches his 1,000th day in office, Trump’s lies pile up at an astronomical rate.

Trump’s Bizarre, Unhinged Letter to Erdogan

There’s no rational explanation for this.

Congressman Elijah Cummings Dead At 68

An iconic and honorable Member of Congress has passed away.

Fourth Democratic Debate Garners 8.3 Million Voters

The fourth Democratic debate saw a viewership dip from September, but there are likely some good reasons for that.

Fearful Of Trump, Republicans Refuse To Answer A Simple Question

Fear of Donald Trump and his minions is making it hard for Republicans to answer a simple question.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez To Endorse Sanders

Not surprisingly, AOC is getting behind Bernie Sanders in the race for the Democratic nomination.

Warren Comes Under Fire In Fourth Democratic Debate

Elizabeth Warren took most of the fire during last night’s fourth Democratic debate, which will likely go a long way toward winnowing down a crowded field.

Open Forum

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

Beto O’Rourke Would Violate Constitution To Punish ‘Wrong Thinking’ On LGBT Rights

Beto O’Rourke wants to use government policy to punish religious institutions that don’t recognize same-sex marriages.

Fort Worth Police Officer Charged With Murder In Death Of Atatiana Jefferson

The officer involved in the shooting death of a woman in Fort Worth, Texas has been charged with murder.

Trump Basically Let Rudy Giuliani Hijack American Foreign Policy

New testimony from a former Trump adviser details how Rudy Giuliani was able to hijek American foreign policy.

Previewing The Fourth Democratic Debate

With twelve Democrats set to clash tonight in Ohio, it’s time to take a look at the state of the race.

Turks Continue Offensive As Trump Imposes Weak-Kneed Sanctions

As the Turkish invasion of northern Syria continues, Donald Trump responds with basically nothing.

Republicans Silent On Trump White House’s Use Of Private Communication

The same Republicans who were outraged over Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server are silent about the use of private apps by Trump officials.

Mike Bloomberg Reconsidering Decision Not To Run For President?

Michael Bloomberg is reportedly reconsidering his decision not to run for President.

Fort Worth Police Shooting Leaves Innocent Woman Dead

Another police shooting of an innocent African-American. This time in Fort Worth, Texas.

Warren’s Same-Sex Marriage Joke Raises Concerns

Elizabeth Warren’s comments at an LGBT rights forum late last week were cheered by the audience, but some Democrats are raising concerns about their impact on the General Election.

Senate Report Details Russian Interference In 2016 Election, Warns About 2020

A new Senate Intelligence Committee report adds to the evidence regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Turkey, Syria, And Russia Win, U.S. Loses As Syrian Crisis Widens

Turkish forces advance, American forces retreat, the Kurds seek new allies, and Syria and Russia come out the winners.