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.

President Obama Submits Quixotic Plan To Close Guantanamo Bay Prison

The President has another plan to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. It’s as likely to be well-received on Capitol Hill as all of his other previous plans on this issue.

Nevada Hoping To Avoid Another Chaotic Caucus

Tonight’s Nevada Caucuses could be as chaotic as the floor of a Vegas casino, but Donald Trump seems to be in position to score another win.

Conservatives Double Down On ‘No Hearing, No Votes’ For SCOTUS Nominee

Conservatives are sending a message to Senate Republicans about the vacancy on the Supreme Court, and it may require them to initiate a suicidal game plan.

Joe Biden In 1992: No Action On Supreme Court Nominations Until After An Election

In 1992, Joe Biden said that no action should be taken on any potential Supreme Court nominations until after that year’s Presidential election. Sound familiar?

Can Donald Trump Be Stopped?

Donald Trump hasn’t hit the point of inevitability yet, but time is running short if Republicans are going to stop him.

Donald Trump Suggests Marco Rubio May Not Be Eligible To Be President

Donald Trump is trolling the depths of the Internet’s conspiracy dungeons once again. This time to raise the largely absurd argument that Marco Rubio may not be eligible to serve as President.

The End, At Least For Now, Of The Bush Dynasty

For now at least, the Bush Dynasty has seen the end of its involvement in national politics.

Trump Wins South Carolina, Rubio & Cruz Fight For Second, Bush Drops Out

Donald Trump racks up another big win, while Marco Rubio surges into second and likely saves his campaign for now.

Hillary Clinton Scores Solid Victory Over Bernie Sanders In Nevada

Hillary Clinton pulled off a strong win that promises to set up a string of victories that will likely leave Bernie Sanders in the dust.

United Kingdom Sets ‘Brexit’ Referendum Vote For June 23rd

Britons will go to the polls in June to decide the future of their country’s relationship with the rest of Europe.

Democrats Down To The Wire In Largely Unpredictable Nevada

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are battling today for votes in a caucus whose outcome could go either way.

South Carolina Could Decide The Fate Of Several Republicans

Tonight’s results in South Carolina could have a significant impact on the race going forward. (Plus, a projection)

Harper Lee, Author Of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird,’ Dead At 89

The reclusive author of one of the greatest American novels ever written has died at the age of 89.

Jeb Bush Faces The End Of The Road In South Carolina

More likely than not, South Carolina marks the end of the road for Jeb Bush’s bid for the Presidency.

Americans Divided Over Who Should Name Scalia’s Replacement, Obama Or Next POTUS

Two new polls show that Americans are basically split equally on the question of who should appoint the Justice that will replace Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court.

Hillary Clinton’s South Carolina Firewall Is Holding

Hillary Clinton still has a massive lead in South Carolina, and in the Super Tuesday states that follow.

Donald Trump Set To Sweep To Victory In South Carolina

Donald Trump is on the verge of another big victory.

Republican Wall On “No Hearings, No Votes” For SCOTUS Nominee Appears To Be Cracking

The unity of the Republican Senate on the idea of no hearings or votes, if it ever really existed, appears to be cracking.

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Apple Fighting Order To Assist In Decrypting Phone Of San Bernardino Terrorist

Apple is resisting a Federal Court order that it assist the F.B.I. in decryption of the iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino terrorists.

Bernie Sanders Within One Point Of Hillary Clinton In Nevada

Another state, another Sanders surprise that is likely to raise questions about Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

Post-Debate Polls Continue To Show Trump Leading In South Carolina

Donald Trump appears headed for another victory in South Carolina’s primary.

Republicans Risk The Senate And The Presidency By Refusing To Consider Any SCOTUS Nominee

Republicans are putting much on the line in their refusal to consider any Supreme Court nomination from President Obama.

Supreme Court Appointments And Lame Duck Presidents: Yes, Both Sides Do It

The politicization of Supreme Court appointments didn’t start with Republicans last night.

The Political Battle Over Justice Scalia’s Supreme Court Seat Has Begun

It didn’t take long for the political battle over the seat held by the late Justice Antonin Scalia to become another part of the 2016 political battle.

How Justice Scalia’s Death Is Likely To Impact The Court’s Current Term

In the short term, Justice Scalia’s death will have a significant impact on cases the Supreme Court has already heard, and cases it is scheduled to hear in the next two months.

Republicans Clash In Ninth Debate

One week before the South Carolina Primary, the remaining Republican candidates for President clashed in a headed debate.

Justice Antonin Scalia Dead At 79

Associate Justice Antonin Scalia has died at the age of 79.

Donald Trump Says He Might Sue Ted Cruz Over Citizenship

Donald Trump says he might sue Ted Cruz over his citizenship if Cruz continues attacking him.

U.S. To Resume Commercial Air Travel To Cuba

Another step forward with regard to the American-Cuban relationship.

Clinton Gets Aggressive With Sanders In Wake Of New Hampshire Loss

If last night’s debate is any indication, Hillary Clinton’s campaign is about to get much more aggressive in its critique of Bernie Sanders.

Jim Webb Announces He Will Not Run As An Independent For President

The end of Webbmentum is here, my friends.

Who Wants Michael Bloomberg To Run For President? Practically Nobody

As Michael Bloomberg flirts with the idea of running for President, a poll finds very little enthusiasm for the idea.

Chris Christie Out Of Presidential Race

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is officially dropping out of the race for President.

Two-Thirds Of New Hampshire Republicans Support Donald Trump’s Muslim Immigration Ban

As if to further demonstrate just how fair off the rails the GOP has gotten, Donald Trump’s unconstitutional, wrong-headed, racist notions are supported by wide majorities in the party that still claims to the by the “Party of Lincoln.”

Trump Wins, Republicans Still Not Sure Who The Anti-Trump Should Be

Donald Trump is back on top, but the field below him remains as confused as ever.

Bernie Sanders Crushes Hillary Clinton In New Hampshire, But Clinton Still Favored

Bernie Sanders scored a big win in New Hampshire, as most people expected, but the look ahead still tells us that Hillary Clinton will eventually be the Democratic nominee for President.

U.S. To Deploy Troops To Combat Areas In Afghanistan, Reversing Policy

American forces will be deployed to a combat area in southern Afghanistan, reversing current policy and calling the President’s promised withdrawal date into even further doubt.

A Look At The Final New Hampshire Polls, Plus Projections

Unless the polls are very wrong, it looks to be a good night for Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. Beyond that, there’s a lot that’s still up in the air.

With Bad News Looming In New Hampshire, Clinton Looks To Reorganize Campaign

With Bernie Sanders likely to win New Hampshire tonight, Hillary Clinton is reportedly looking to reorganize her campaign.