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.

John Kerry Leads America’s Latest Quixotic Quest For Middle East Peace

Secretary of State Kerry becomes the latest American official to wade into the Middle East’s longest lasting quagmire.

Nate Silver Leaving New York Times For ESPN, ABC

Three years after joining The New York Times, Nate Silver is jumping ship to Disney’s ESPN and ABC.

Federal Court Rules That NY Times Reporter Must Testify In Leak Investigation

Once again, a Federal Court rules that the First Amendment rules does not protect a reporter from being compelled to reveal sources or the results of an investigation.

The Enzi/Cheney Primary, Rand Paul, And The Wider Fight In The GOP

Some interesting taking of sides is already taking place in the GOP Senate race in Wyoming.

Detroit Files Largest Municipal Bankruptcy In History

In a move that was perhaps inevitable, the City of Detroit has filed for Bankruptcy Court protection.

Should Juror’s Identities Ever Be Kept Secret?

Until the presiding Judge in the case rules otherwise, the identities of the members of the jury in the Zimmerman is secret. Should that be the case?

ACLU: Police Can Read, Track, And Store Your License Plate Number Wherever You Go

New technology brings the day of round the clock tracking of citizens who’ve done nothing wrong ever closer.

Unbundling Cable Packages Would Be More Expensive, But Its Probably The Future

Would your cable bill be cheaper if you could just subscribe to the channels you wanted to watch?

Are There Too Many Positions Requiring Senate Confirmation?

There are over 1,000 Executive Branch positions requiring Senate approval. That seems excessive.

Obama Handing Out Ambassadorships To Top Donors And Friends, Just Like His Predecessors

President Obama has appointed a lot of donor’s and supporters to plumb Ambassadorial slots. That’s not at all unusual.

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Harry Reid Backs Away From The Nuclear Option, Filibuster Alive And Well

Once again, the threat of the “nuclear option” appears to have had less megatonnage than some expected and others hoped.

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Could Today Be The Day Harry Reid Goes Nuclear? [Update: Tentative Deal Reached]

The Senate may be headed for an historic confrontation today if an 11th hour deal isn’t reached.

Gun Control Has Faded From The Newscycle And The Political Conversation

Low voter priorities and the natural tendency of the media to move on to the next big story meant that gun control was not going to be a top political issue for long.

Civil Rights Charges Against George Zimmerman Would Be Completely Inappropriate

Evidence that George Zimmerman acted out of racial bias is completely lacking, which means the Federal Government should stay out of this case entirely.

GOP In Good Position To Grab Senate Control In 2014

The GOP’s chances to take over the Senate became much better over the weekend.

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Ten Years After McCain-Feingold, More Money In Politics Than Ever

The 10th anniversary of McCain-Feingold teaches a lesson we should already have learned.

“Border Security” And GOP Political Pandering

There are many fallacies contained within the GOP’s insistence that immigration reform must begin and end with “border security.”