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 Still Don’t Know How To Communicate With Female Voters

It appears that the GOP still has a problem communicating with women.

Paying Attention To Politics? You’re Probably Really Stressed Out

In a new survey, Americans cite politics and the news as the biggest sources of stress in their lives.

Afghans Agree To Changes In Government In Deal To Resolve Election Dispute

The various factions in Afghanistan have agreed, at least in principle, to alter the nation’s government as part of a deal to resolve election disputes.

Another Legal Threat To The Affordable Care Act

A case pending in Federal Court in Washington, D.C. could pose new legal problems for the Affordable Care Act

Jose Antonio Vargas Is A Symbol For Immigration Reform, Not A Candidate For Deportation

Jose Antonio Vargas was brought to the U.S. at the age of 12 and never left. Now, some are suggesting he should be deported as soon as possible.

Todd Akin Has No Regrets About His Comments About ‘Legitimate Rape’

Just in time for the midterms, Todd Akin is back to remind voters of the GOP’s problems with female voters.

Mother Charged For Leaving 11 Year Old In A Car: Protecting Children, Or Paranoia?

To some extent, we seem to be becoming overprotective.

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Only Congress Can Do What’s Needed To Deal With The Border Crisis

That ball is in your court, Congress.

GOP Establishment Pushes Back Against Calls For Impeachment

Led by Speaker John Boehner, Republican leaders are trying to placate calls for impeachment.

LeBron James Is Returning To Cleveland

‘The Decision’ is undecided.

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John Boehner’s Lawsuit Against Obama Is All About Obamacare, And Will Probably Be Dismissed

John Boehner’s latest political move is designed mostly to appease the GOP base, but it’s likely a non-starter from a legal point of view.

Vladmir Putin Looks To Be Throwing The ‘Pro-Russian’ Ukrainian Separatists Under The Bus

In the end, the separatists in eastern Ukraine have always been expendable as far as Vladimir Putin is concerned.

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The Border Crisis: Many Causes, No Simple Solutions

Trying to make sense of a very complicated issue.

113th Congress Set To Break New Ground When It Comes To Being Unproductive

The current Congress is on course to be the least productive in decades.

The Legal Battle For Same-Sex Marriage Is Headed To The Supreme Court

Assuming it accepts the appeal, Utah is giving the Supreme Court its high profile case for the October 2015 Term.

Implementation Of Europe’s ‘Right To Be Forgotten’ About As Absurd As You’d Expect

Judging by the early results, the so-called “Right To Be Forgotten” recently created by Europe’s highest court is creating more problems than it will solve.

Prosecutors Want To Create Child Pornography To Help Prosecute A Child Pornography Case

The law’s insane over-reaction to teen “sexting” has gotten even more insane in one Virginia County.

Citizens United And Hobby Lobby Are About Individual Rights, Not ‘Corporate Rights’

Much of the criticism of Hobby Lobby, and Citizens United before it, is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of what those decisions stand for.

Yes, We Spy On Germany. Big Deal.

There’s a new round of allegations about American spying on Germany.

Liberals Still Think They Can Guilt Trip Ruth Bader Ginsburg Into Retirement

Some people on the left are still trying to convince Ruth Bader Ginsburg that she needs to just step out on the ice floe already.

Sarah Palin Says It’s Time To Impeach Obama

What could possibly go wrong?

Louisiana May Jail A Catholic Priest For Refusing To Break The Seal Of Confession

A case out of Louisiana raises serious First Amendment issues.

Israel Intensifies Attacks On Gaza, Hints At Ground Invasion

Things look to be going from bad to worse in Gaza.

Cochran Certified Winner Of Mississippi Runoff, But McDaniel Continues His Quixotic Campaign

Thad Cochran has been officially certified as the winner of the Mississippi GOP Primary Runoff Election, but it’s not over yet.

Ashraf Ghani Declared ‘Winner’ Of Afghan Election Plagued By Fraud Allegations

There’s a declared winner in Afghanistan’s Presidential Election, but a cloud hangs over the results.

Lawyers For Gitmo Detainees Using Hobby Lobby To Argue For Expanded Religious Freedoms

Political irony, perhaps, but probably less than meets the eye.

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Presidential Overreach Should Be More Than Just Another Partisan Fight, But That’s What It Will Be

There are legitimate issues regarding Presidential overreach and separation of powers that President Obama’s actions while in office have raised. But none of that will be discussed in our hyperpartisan political culture.