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.

Elizabeth Warren Once Again Tells Us She’s Not Running For President

Once again, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren says she isn’t running for President, and has no plans to do so.

Supreme Court Remains Silent In Case Involving Students Wearing American Flag Shirts

The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of three students disciplined for wearing American flag shirts on Cinco de Mayo

Carly Fiorina “90% Certain” She Will Run For President

Carly Fiorina seems to be inching close to a Presidential run for some reason.

Marco Rubio To Enter The Race For President, But His Star Has Dimmed

Florida Senator Marco Rubio is getting ready to jump into the race for President, but he has an uphill fight ahead of him.

The New Republican Orthodoxy On Israel

More than ever before, even mild criticism of Israel seems to be verboten among Republicans.

Joe Biden Still Wants You To Think He’s Running For President

Hillary Clinton continues to look more inevitable by the day, but Joe Biden doesn’t want to go away just yet.

Harry Reid Retiring From Senate

After nearly 20 years in office, Harry Reid announced early today that he would not seek reelection in 2016.

Bowe Bergdahl Charged With Desertion, Other Offenses As White House Narrative Collapses

Bowe Bergdahl will face charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, and the White House’s narrative about this release lies in tatters.

Ted Cruz And The Question Of When A Candidate Is “Qualified” To Be President

Do we really want to put another first-term Senator with no executive experience in the Oval Office? Because beyond the mere legal requirements, it does not appear that Ted Cruz is qualified to be President.

Obama To Slow Withdrawal Of American Forces From Afghanistan

America’s longest war continues.

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Indiana To Give Religious Business Owners The Right To Discriminate Against Gays

Indiana is about to become the latest state to grants special rights to religious business owners.

Israel Spied On Geneva Iran Talks, Shared Information With Congress

Yet another probable rift between the U.S. and Israel over Iran.

Yes, Ted Cruz Is A “Natural Born Citizen”

Just in case there’s any question, yes, Ted Cruz is Constitutionally eligible to serve as President.

Supreme Court Declines Challenge To Wisconsin’s Voter ID Law

Another setback for those opposed to Voter ID laws.

Ted Cruz To Announce He’s Running For President

Ted Cruz kicks off with the first of what is likely to be a string of candidates getting into the 2016 race in the coming month.

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Rand Paul Tries To Explain Why He Signed The Cotton Letter To Iran, And Fails

Rand Paul now says he signed the Cotton Letter to strengthen the Administration’s bargaining position.

President Obama Supports Mandatory Voting, And He’s Wrong To Do So

President Obama thinks that it would be a good idea if everyone were forced to vote. He’s wrong, and his idea is most likely unconstitutional.

Ben Carson Flunks Foreign Policy, History

Ben Carson doesn’t seem to know much about foreign policy or history. And he doesn’t belong on anyone’s list of serious Presidential candidates.

Despite The Email Story, Hillary Clinton Remains At The Top For 2016

Two weeks after the email story broke, there’s no sign that Hillary Clinton is losing ground in the 2016 race.

Benjamin Netanyahu Appears To Secure Victory In Israeli Elections

After appearing to be behind in pre-election polling, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to have secured a victory in Israel’s elections.

Oregon Adopts Automatic Voter Registration

Oregon has become the first state in the nation to adopt universal automatic voter registration.

Hillary Clinton’s Poll Numbers Suggest Email Scandal May Have No Lasting Impact

Despite the ongoing email controversy, Hillary Clinton remains well positioned heading into 2016.

Netanyahu Trailing In New Polls, But He Could Remain In Power

Benjamin Netanyahu is trailing in the final polls leading to Tuesday’s election, but he still may be able to form the coalition needed to stay in power.

Expelling Students From A Public University Over Racist Videos Probably Isn’t Constitutional

Freedom of speech means freedom for all speech, even when it is racially offensive.

Hillary Clinton Tries To Quell Controversy Over Email, But Only Creates More Question

Hillary Clinton addressed the week-long email controversy, but her explanations only raised new questions.

Florida State Employees Ordered Not To Refer To “Climate Change” Or “Global Warming”

Don’t say “climate change” or “global warming” if you work for Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection.

Senate GOP’s Letter To Iran Likely To Achieve Exactly The Opposite Of What It Intends

Senate Republicans have done more harm to the goal of stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons than they have done good.

Senator Bob Menendez To Reportedly Face Federal Corruption Charges

A powerful Democratic Senator looks like he’s about to be in a whole lot of trouble.

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Republican Congressional Leaders Skipping Selma Anniversary

Another tone deaf action from leading Republicans.

February Jobs Report Stronger Than Expected

February’s jobs report came in stronger than analysts expected, but wage growth remains stubbornly stagnant.

Justice Department Finds Widespread Racial Bias In Ferguson Police Department

A new Justice Department report has found widespread racial bias in the Ferguson Police Department, but it’s a problem that goes far beyond one Missouri suburb.

Supreme Court Appears Divided In Latest Obamacare Case

Once again, the Supreme Court appears to be sharply divided on the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act.

Justice Department Will Not Charge Darren Wilson In Connection With Michael Brown Shooting

Unsurprisingly, Darren Wilson will not face federal charges in connection with the shooting of Michael Brown.

Alabama, Where The Constitution Apparently Doesn’t Apply

Roy Moore and six of his fellow Judges on the Alabama Supreme Court have a rather bizarre view of Constitutional Law.