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.

The Tea Party Is Dead, As Is The Idea That It Ever Was Anything Other Than A GOP Proxy

The Tea Party is dead, but it was never really alive to begin with.

‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ And ‘Huckleberry Finn’ Banned By Minnesota School District

Two classic pieces of American Literature have been banned from the curriculum in Duluth, Minnesota. This is a mistake.

The GOP Is Now The Party Of Deficits And Debt, But Then It Always Has Been

Republicans spent the eight years of Obama Administration railing against fiscal irresponsibility. Now that they have power, they’re the ones being fiscally irresponsible.

Demanding Denuclearization Of North Korea Is A Non-Starter

Expecting North Korea to agree to diplomatic talks that are aimed at getting rid of their nuclear weapons is asking for the impossible, and ensuring there will be no progress on the diplomatic front for the foreseeable future.

Yes, DACA Beneficiaries And Other Illegal Immigrants Should Be Able To Become Citizens

One of the main objections that many on the right seem to have to proposals to legalize DACA beneficiaries and other illegal immigrants is the idea that they could eventually become citizens. There’s no good reason they shouldn’t be able to do so.

Federal Judge Has Doubts About Trump’s Border Wall

The Judge presiding over a case dealing with Trump’s proposed border wall expressed doubts about the project. The President will no doubt be irked by the identity of that Judge.

Dozens Of Trump White House Employees Lack Final Security Clearances

More than a year into the Trump Presidency, dozens of White House personnel lack proper security clearances.

Trump Defends Former White House Staffer Accused of Spousal Abuse

President Trump spoke up about the spousal abuse charges against his former Staff Secretary Rob Porter. His response was entirely predictable.

A Second Brexit Vote? Some Britons Are Asking For One

As Brexit negotiations go on and the consequences of Britain leaving the European Union become clearer, some Britons are starting to ask for a chance at a second referendum.

Trump Blocks Release Of Democratic Rebuttal To Nunes Memo

Donald Trump has blocked the release of a memo prepared by House Intelligence Committee Democrats to rebut the Nunes memo. It’s hard not to see this as a blatantly partisan move.

What The Rob Porter Scandal Tells Us About The Trump White House

The Rob Porter story, which is quickly becoming the Rob Porter scandal, tells us a lot about the Trump White House, and none of it is good.

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Congress Approves Budget Deal, Ends Overnight Shutdown

While most of America slept, the government was shutdown thanks to some faux theatrics by a single Senator.

Federal Court Strikes Down Law Requiring State Contractors To Promise They Won’t Boycott Israel

A Federal Judge In Kansas has blocked enforcement of a state law barring anyone who does business with the state from engaging in a boycott of Israel.

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The Nunes Memo Was A Complete Dud

Contrary to the claims that were made by conservatives and Trump supporters before its release, the memo prepared by Congressman Devin Nunes has done nothing to undermine the Russia investigation.

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Senate Reaches Budget Deal That Busts Budget Caps And Massively Increases Spending

Congress seems likely to pass a budget deal today that will massively increase spending, putting to rest once and for all the rank hypocrisy of Republicans when it comes to claims that they are “fiscally conservative.”

SpaceX Launches Falcon Heavy, Another Advance In The Space Race

Yesterday’s Falcon Heavy Launch was a near-complete success and another amazing advance in the race to the stars.

Trump Administration Admits 2018 Elections Are Vulnerable To More Russian Interference

Administration officials are admitting that it’s likely that Russia will try to interfere in the midterm elections just as it did in 2016, but they don’t seem inclined to do anything about it.

Of Course Donald Trump Wants A Military Parade

Of course Donald Trump wants a military parade, it would be consistent with his delusions of grandeur.

In One Week, Trump Went From A Call For Unity To Calling Political Rivals ‘Treasonous’

Last week, the President was calling for national unity. This week, he called political opponents “treasonous.”

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Congress Moves Ahead On Budget Deal As Trump Threatens Shutdown

Congress appears to be moving closer to a budget deal even as the President tries to throw a monkey wrench into the whole thing.

Republican Midterm Optimism Mostly Misguided

Recent polls have caused Republicans to become more optimistic about their chances in this year’s midterms. That optimism is both premature and misplaced.

Polish President Signs Controversial Holocaust Bill Into Law

Poland’s President has signed a controversial bill that purports to criminalize any effort to tie Poland to the Holocaust.

Michele Bachmann Declines Run For Senate After Apparently Consulting “God”

Michele Bachmann asked God if she should run for the U.S. Senate. Apparently, she got an answer.

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Most Americans Want Congress To Reach A DACA Deal, But Oppose Linking It To The Budget

A new poll indicates that most Americans support a DACA deal, but don’t think it should be linked to measures to avoid a government shutdown.

Live By The Markets, Die By The Markets

Donald Trump spent much of the past year touting the rising stock market, now he’s getting a lesson in reality.

Trump’s Own Lawyers Reluctant To Let Him Talk To Robert Mueller

Donald Trump’s own lawyers are afraid he can’t help but lie to such an extent that he should not sit down for an interview with special counsel Robert Mueller.

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The Era Of Trillion Dollar Deficits Is Set To Return, And Republicans Don’t Seem To Care

With Republicans fully in control in Washington, their concerns about the budget deficit seem to have disappeared.

Supreme Court Declines To Place Hold On Pennsylvania Gerrymandering Decision

The Supreme Court has declined to stay a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling requiring the legislature to redraw the state’s Congressional District map.

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Prospects For A DACA Deal Still Not Looking Good

Congress seems no closer to a DACA deal than they were in January.

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Congress Heads Back To Work With Both The Budget Unresolved And A Shutdown Looming

After an extended break for the Republican retreat, Congress heads back to work today with just three days before a possible government shutdown.

Dodge Super Bowl Ad Featuring Martin Luther King Jr. Causes Controversy

Dodge is facing controversy this morning for using the words of Martin Luther King Jr. in a Super Bowl commercial, but they’re not the only party who may have some questions to answer.

Encouraging Signs For Democrats In New Poll, But There Are Caveats

A newly released poll has encouraging signs for Democrats in 2018, but there are several caveats.

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The Nunes Memo’s Big Lies

The two most important allegations in the Nunes memo appear to be complete lies.

Is Joe Arpaio The Next Roy Moore?

Will Joe Arpaio cause the GOP to lose an otherwise winnable Senate race?

Trump Claims The Nunes Memo “Totally Vindicates” Him. It Doesn’t.

President Trump is claiming that the Nunes memo vindicates him. He’s wrong.

Mitt Romney Drops A Big Hint About Senate Bid

He’s tan. He’s rested. He’s ready. And, yes, he’s running.

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House Intelligence Committee Releases Memo Claiming Bias In Russia Investigation

Republicans have released the memo prepared by Congressman Devin Nunes that purports to call into question the basis for the Russia investigation. In the end, though, it amounts to much ado about nothing.

A Positive January For Jobs Growth And Wages

The first jobs report for 2018 beat expectation slightly, but the most positive signs came in the underlying data on wages.

Republicans Give Up On Repealing Obamacare

After spending much of 2017 trying to do it, Republicans are giving up on any effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act before the midterms.

Congress Heads Toward Another Budget Deadline With No Apparent Deal In Sight

The current budget deal expires in six days and Congress doesn’t seem to know what it’s going to do about it.

Don’t Bother Searching For A ‘Trump Doctrine,” There Won’t Be One

When it comes to foreign policy, Donald Trump has no over-arching philosophy and little knowledge, so don’t expect anything approaching a coherent doctrine from his Administration.

The Return Of Donald Trump, Serial Liar

Donald Trump lies about even the most trivial matters, How are we supposed to believe anything else he says?

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What If Clinton Had Done What Trump Is Accused Of?

Imagine a world where Hillary Clinton was President and stood accused of the same things Donald Trump and his campaign are currently under investigation for.

Mueller Investigation Focusing On White House Response To Reports On Trump Tower Meeting

Robert Mueller’s investigators are looking at the President’s role in drafting a false statement regarding the June 2016 meeting between his son and a lawyer linked to the Russian government.

Chelsea Manning May Not Be Eligible To Run For Senate

Chelsea Manning is running for Senate, but she may be violating military regulations by doing so.

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U.S. Will Hit Debt Ceiling Earlier Than Expected

In addition to deadlines on the Federal Budget and DACA, Congress also has to deal with the debt ceiling at some point in the next month.

Trump Asked Deputy Attorney General If He Was “On My Team”

Yet another demand for a loyalty pledge from a law enforcement official by a President under investigation.

Justice Department Won’t Be Retrying Senator Bob Menendez On Corruption Charges

Embattled New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez has dodged a bullet, but still faces uncertain prospects for reelection.

False Missile Alert In Hawaii Still Shrouded In Mystery

Two weeks later, it’s still unclear what caused a false missile alert to be sent out in Hawaii.