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.

A Super Bowl For The Ages

If you changed the channel after the third quarter, you missed what ended up becoming a game for the ages.

Most Americans Oppose Trump’s Muslim Travel Ban

Two new polls show that most Americans oppose President Trump’s ban on travel from seven majority Muslim countries, but that most Republicans support it.

Appeals Court Denies Federal Government’s Request For Stay Of Travel Ban Order

An initial setback for the Federal Government in its appeal of the ruling putting President Trump’s Muslim travel ban on hold.

Trump’s Job Approval At Historic Low For Incoming Presidents

Donald Trump’s initial job approval numbers are lower than any President since the EIsenhower Administration.

Federal Judge Halts Trump’s Muslim Travel Ban

A legal victory, at least for now, for opponents of Donald Trump’s ban on immigration from seven majority Muslim nations.

Repealing Obamacare Proving To Be Harder Than GOP Thought

Repeal and replace is likely to take longer than many Republicans thought it would, but that shouldn’t be surprising.

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

How Should Democrats Respond To The Gorsuch Nomination?

In the end, an effort by Democrats to block Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court does not seem like a good use of their rather limited options.

A Strong January Jobs Report, But Signs Of Possible Weakness Ahead

The first Jobs Report of 2017 saw healthy jobs growth in January, but there are signs we may be reaching a point where hiring could slow down.

Rex Tillerson Confirmed As Secretary Of State

In a closer than normal vote for the position, Rex Tillerson has been confirmed as Secretary of State.

Boy Scouts To Admit Transgender Members

Another major change for the Boy Scouts.

Trump Names Judge Neil Gorsuch To Supreme Court

With a relatively smooth announcement, Donald Trump has named a solid and qualified conservative who will likely be confirmed to the nation’s highest court.

Firing Sally Yates Was Not A “Monday Night Massacre”

The Acting Attorney General was fired last night after announcing that she would refuse to defend President Trump’s Executive Order on immigration. As a result she was fired. Contrary to some arguments, this was not improper.

Trump Hits Negative Job Approval In Record Time

After just over a week in office, Donald Trump already has a negative job approval number. That’s a modern record.

Super Bowl Commercial Prices Hit $5,000,000 For 30 Seconds Of Ad Time

A Super Bowl ad will cost you a cool $5,000,000 for thirty seconds.

Trump To Name Supreme Court Nominee Tomorrow Evening

President Trump will name his first Supreme Court pick on his 11th day in office.

Protests And Court Orders Push Back Against Trump’s Muslim Ban

The first day of implementation of President Trump’s order barring immigration from certain Muslim nations did not go smoothly for the Administration.

Trump Imposes Ban On Travel From Several Muslim Countries, Halts Refugee Program

As expected, Donald Trump yesterday signed Executive Orders targeting Muslims and refugees.

Television Icon Mary Tyler Moore Dies At 80

Another television icon has passed away.

President Trump Continues To Claim That ‘Millions’ Cast Illegal Votes In Election

Despite the lack of evidence, Donald Trump continues to claim that there were ‘millions’ of illegal votes cast in 2016.

Trump’s First Supreme Court Pick Could Be Days Away

President Trump hinted today that he’s likely to name his Supreme Court choice next week, and the list to appears have narrowed to three men.

Trump Reverses Obama’s Course On Keystone XL Pipeline And Other Projects

President Trump reverses a decision made by President Obama just over a year ago.

Trump Administration Not Rushing To Move U.S. Embassy To Jerusalem

Despite campaign promises, President Trump appears to be putting off any immediate decision on the location of the U.S. Embassy to Israel.

Trump Administration Spends First Day Lying About Crowd Size And Attacking Reporters

The first full day of Donald Trump’s Presidency consisted largely of obsessions with irrelevant facts and outright lies.

Donald Trump Is President, America Will Survive This

While vigilance is called for, America will survive Donald Trump just as it has survived everything else we’ve faced since the nation’s founding.

Supreme Court Appears Skeptical Of Law Barring ‘Offensive’ Trademarks

A majority of the Supreme Court appears to be skeptical of a Federal law barring trademark protection for “offensive” names and slogans.

Global Temperatures Set Another Record In 2016

The reality of global climate change made itself evident again in 2016.

Search For Flight MH370 Officially Comes To An End

The mystery of what happened aboard Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 may remain at the bottom of the Indian Ocean forever.

Obama Commutes Chelsea Manning’s Sentence

A potentially controversial commutation from President Obama today.

Donald Trump To Take First Weekend As POTUS Off

Donald Trump will take some time off after taking the Oath of Office.

British Prime Minister Theresa May Aiming For A ‘Hard Brexit’

British Prime Minister Theresa May made it clear that she intends to move forward with Brexit.

Eugene Cernan, Last Man To Walk On The Moon, Dies At 82

One of the few members of a small fraternity of heroes has passed away.

Supreme Court To Hear Argument In Free Speech Case

An important free speech case is coming up this week at the Supreme Court.

Ringling Brothers Circus To Shut Down After 146 Years In Business

A long-standing staple of American culture will soon be no more.

Norway Begins Getting Rid Of FM Radio

Norway is switching from FM Radio to digital broadcasting. A similar transition in the United States seems unlikely for the time being.