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.

Turmoil On Team Romney

The Romney campaign infighting is becoming public.

Romney’s Critique of Obama’s Foreign Policy Record Is Incredibly Weak

The Romney campaign’s critique of the President’s foreign policy record is weak, and based on bad history.

White House Insists Benghazi Attack Was Not Pre-Planned, Was All About A Movie

The White House’s theory of what happened in Benghazi is become less and less credible.

GOP Lawmakers Unhappy With Course Of Romney Campaign

Republican lawmakers are starting to express frustration with the course of the Romney campaign.

Obama Administration Abandons Freedom Of Speech In Wake Of Embassy Riots

Capitulating to a mob is never a good idea.

Rick Santorum: “The Smart People Will Never Be On Our Side”

In Rick Santorum’s brand of conservatism, no smart people need apply.

Wisconsin Judge Strikes Down Collective Bargaining Law

The battle over Wisconsin’s public sector union reform continues.

Romney Losing His Edge On The Economy?

Several recent polls suggest that Mitt Romney is losing the advantage he had over the President on economic issues.

Protests At Western Embassies Spread Across Muslim World

For the fourth day, American and other embassies became the focus of mass protests in many Muslim nations.

Romney Campaign: Embassy Protests Wouldn’t Be Happening If Mitt Was President

The Romney campaign is doubling down on bizarre foreign policy pronouncements.

Debunking A Myth: Reagan Was Leading Carter Long Before That Final October Debate

Ronald Reagan was leading Jimmy Carter long before the two men met in Cleveland on October 28th, 1980.

Obama Leads In Three Crucial Swing States

Three new state polls show that Mitt Romney’s path to victory continues to narrow.

The U.S. And Egypt. Allies? Enemies? Frenemies? Well, It’s Complicated

If the United States and Egypt were Facebook friends, their relationship status would be “It’s Complicated.”

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

Federal Reserve Announces Another Round Of Stimulus Creating Money Out Of Thin Air

Ben Bernanke thinks doing more of the same is just what the economy needs.

University Of Pennsylvania Professor: Arrest The Makers Of That Anti-Muslim Movie

One Professor suggests we sacrifice yet more of our freedom in the wake of the embassy protests in the Middle East.

Rand Paul Offers An Alternate Path On Foreign Policy For The GOP

Senator Rand Paul suggests the GOP may want to reconsider its foreign policy aggressiveness.

Gary Johnson: Spoiler?

The Libertarian Party’s Presidential candidate could prove decisive in determining who wins the Electoral College.

Could Foreign Policy Cost Mitt Romney The Election?

Mitt Romney’s foreign policy weaknesses are starting to become apparent.

Southern Whites Still Not Sold On Romney?

Mitt Romney still has problems with Southern whites that could pose problems for him in states like Virginia and North Carolina.

Romney Campaign Fumbles Initial Response To Attacks In Egypt And Libya

Mitt Romney’s initial response to the attacks in Egypt and Libya displayed a tendency to jump the gun rather than wait for the facts.

U.S. Ambassador To Libya Dead, U.S. Embassy In Cairo Attacked, In Protests Over Obscure Film

A day of protests over a film nobody has ever heard of has lead to the death of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya.

White House Denies Netanyahu Request For Meeting Amid Signs of Increased U.S.-Israeli Tension

In another sign that things may not be going so well between Washington and Jerusalem, President Obama will not be meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he’s in the United States.

9/11’s Legacy Of Fear

The 9/11 attacks and our response to them changed America, and not for the better.

Obama Leading Romney In New Polls, Extent Of Convention Bounce Is Unclear

A new round of polling has Obama in the lead and shows reasons why Romney’s supporters should be concerned, but it’s unclear how long any of this will last.