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.

Republicans Spar In Undercard Debate

The low-polling candidates met in an early debate. It was about what you’d expect.

Mitch McConnell: No Immigration Reform While Obama Is President

The Senate Majority Leader says there will be no immigration reform while Obama is President. This is unlikely to help the GOP’s already serious problems with Latino voters.

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Obama’s Rhetoric On The Iran Nuclear Deal Is Needlessly Confrontational

President Obama’s confrontational approach to opponents of the Iran Nuclear Deal ignores legitimate questions.

Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Texas Voter ID Law

A Federal Appeals Court has dealt a setback to Texas in the battle over its Voter ID Law.

F.B.I. Investigating Security Of Clinton’s Private Email Server

The F.B.I. seems to be looking in to just how secure. Hillary Clinton’s private email server was while she was Secretary of State.

Fox News Sets Lineup For First Republican Debate

Donald Trump is center stage, John Kasich is in, and Rick Perry is relegated to the kid’s table.

Donald Trump’s Substance Free Campaign For President

Donald’s Trump’s campaign is the logical conclusion of more than a decade of emotion-drive, substance-free politics.

Donald Trump Solidifies His Lead In Final Pre-Debate Polls

The last three polls to be released before Thursday’s debate show Donald Trump continuing to solidify his lead.

Donald Trump Continues To Expand His Lead In Latest Republican Poll

Another poll, another Donald Trump lead

American Public Turning Against Iran Nuclear Deal According To New Polls

Recent polling has shown the American public to be highly skeptical, at beast, of the Iran Nuclear Deal. That may not be enough to kill it in Congress, though.

Donald Trump Leads In Latest Pre-Debate Poll, Perry Seems Likely To Miss The Debate

Donald Trump leads in the first of the final polls to be released before Thursday’s debate.

Joe Biden Is Thinking About Taking On Hillary Clinton

Reports are saying that Joe Biden is taking another look at running for the Democratic nomination for President. But would he really do it?

Taking A Look At The Second Quarter Money Race

The big winners are Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton.

Donald Trump Courting Sarah Palin’s Supporters

Donald Trump’s campaign seems to be making a play for whatever portion of the GOP it may be that still likes Sarah Palin.

Driven Largely By Republicans, Public Opinion On The Supreme Court Hits A Low

Public opinion on the Supreme Court has declined significantly, largely because Republicans don’t like the Supreme Court very much right now.

Newest Pre-Debate Poll Confirms Trump As Frontrunner, Kasich Now In Top Ten

The first of a series of polls in anticipation of next week’s debate shows Donald Trump still at the top, with a surprise coming out of Ohio.

Economy Rebounds In Second Quarter, But Weakness Remains

The economy rebounded from it’s winter shock, but it still doesn’t seem strong enough to justify the Federal Reserve’s plan to raise interest rates.

Cincinnati Cop Indicted For Murder In Traffic Stop Shooting Death

A police officer in Cincinnati has been indicted for murder in a case that seems to be a pretty clear cut example of improper use of force.

Little Known Congressman Files Doomed Motion To Remove John Boehner As Speaker

A little known Congressman from North Carolina has filed a motion to “remove” John Boehner from the Speakership.

Drop In Hillary Clinton’s Favorability Numbers May Not Be A Big Deal

Hillary Clinton has suffered drops in her favorability numbers lately, but that may not mean much for 2016.

Chris Christie Still Has Reefer Madness

Chris Christie says he would ignore states that have legalized marijuana if he became President. Fortunately, he will most likely never be President.

Jonathan Pollard To Be Released November 21st

After 30 years in prison, Jonathan Pollard will be released later this year.

Roger Goodell Upholds Tom Brady’s Deflategate Suspension

Not surprisingly, Tom Brady’s appeal of his Deflategate suspension was not successful.

Boy Scouts End Ban On Gay Scout Leaders

A long standing policy against gay Scout Leaders has been repealed.

Republican Candidates Battle For Final Debate Slots

With just over a week to go, Republican candidates for President are fighting for the movement in the polls that could get them in to the August 6th debate.

Donald Trump, Immigration, And The Republican Party

Once again, Donald Trump is succeeding because he is saying things many Republicans agree with.

Mike Huckabee’s Offensive, Idiotic Holocaust Rhetoric On Iran

In bringing Holocaust imagery into the debate over the Iran nuclear deal, Mike Huckabee has displayed the intellectual bankruptcy of his position.

Donald Trump Still Surging In The Polls

His remarks about John McCain’s military service don’t seem to be hurting Donald Trump with Republican true believers.

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Clinton To Testify Before House Benghazi Committee October 22nd

Get ready for another pointless political circus.

Donald Trump Bars Des Moines Register From Covering Campaign Rally

Donald Trump is throwing a temper tantrum in Iowa.

U.S. Considering Releasing Jonathan Pollard?

Reports are circulating that the Obama Administration is considering releasing Jonathan Pollard, and many are seeing it as an effort to placate Israel in the wake of the Iran deal.

Texas Appeals Court Tosses One Of Two Counts Against Rick Perry

A big win in Court for the former Texas Governor, but it’s unclear what this means politically.

Federal Inspectors General Call For Criminal Investigation Of Hillary Clinton’s Emails

Did Hillary Clinton mishandle classified information while Secretary of State? Two Inspectors General want to find out.

Trump Refuses To Rule Out Running As A Third-Party Candidate

Donald Trump won’t rule out running against the eventual Republican nominee. Will the RNC use this as an excuse to try to force him out of the race?

Special Prosecutors For Police-Involved Shootings?

Removing the responsibility to investigate police misconduct from the prosecutors who have to work with those police on a daily basis is a good idea.

Charleston Shooter Dylann Roof Indicted On Federal Hate Crimes Charges

Dylann Roof has been indicted in Federal Court for completely unnecessary reasons.

Even Donald Trump’s Own Supporters Can’t Say What He’d Do As President

This is not a serious Presidential campaign, it is a bloviating sideshow.

Afghan Army Not Doing So Well Against The Taliban

The Afghan Army isn’t doing so well against the Taliban right now.

Bad News For Hillary Clinton, Or Much Ado About Nothing In New Battleground Polls?

Polling in three battleground states shows Hillary Clinton slightly trailing three top Republicans, but it means far less than you might think.

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Majority Of Americans Support Iran Nuclear Deal

Good news for the President.

John Kasich Begins Seemingly Quixotic Presidential Bid

Ohio Governor John Kasich looks good on paper, but his campaign seems as though it’s unlikely to get out of the starting gate.