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.

Supreme Court Punts On PPACA Birth Control Mandate

Faced with the prospect of a 4-4 tie, the Supreme Court instead came up with a decision on the PPACA’s birth control mandate that didn’t decide anything.

Trump Probably Couldn’t Afford To Self-Fund A General Election Campaign

Donald Trump has announced that he would not be self-funding the General Election campaign. That’s probably because he really couldn’t afford to do so.

Republican Insiders Still Talking About Quixotic Independent Run For POTUS

With Donald Trump now destined to become the GOP nominee, some Republican insiders are trying to put together another ‘too little, too late’ strategy to stop him.

Pfizer Bars Use Of Its Drugs In Capital Punishment

Pfizer has become the latest drug maker from barring its products from being used in executions.

Republicans Discuss Rules Changes To Stop The Next Donald Trump

Even before the 2016 convention, Republicans are talking about possible rules changes to stop another Trump-like candidate in 2020 or beyond.

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Federal Court Finds Portion Of Administration’s PPACA Subsidy Funding Unconstitutional

A Federal Court has ruled that the Administration violated the law when it spent funds allocated under the PPACA for purposes other than those authorized by Congress.

Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood Shooter Robert Dear Found Incompetent To Stand Trial

No trial for Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood Robert Dear, at least not for now.

A Reminder About Polling

As we begin to head into General Election season, a few things to remember about the avalanche of polls to come.

Joe Biden Thinks Joe Biden Would Have Been A Darn Good President

Regrets, he’s had a few…….

Sanders Wins West Virginia, Continues To Fall Behind In Delegate Race

Bernie Sanders won another primary last night, but he continues to fall behind in the race for delegates nonetheless.

Donald Trump Within 102 Delegates Of Clinching GOP Nomination

With the field before him now clear, Donald Trump is now assured to win the Republican Presidential Nomination. After that, though, his plans don’t seem to make a lot of sense.

Federal Government, North Carolina, File Competing Lawsuits Over State’s ‘Bathroom Bill’

The political fight over North Carolina’s so-called “Bathroom Bill” has moved to the Federal Courts.

Eight Years Ago, Clinton Trounced Obama In West Virginia. Today, She Looks Likely To Lose

Thanks largely to the fact that she has moved left on coal, Hillary Clinton seems likely to lose today’s West Virginia primary. But it will have only a minimal impact on Clinton’s quest for a delegate majority.

Majority Of Americans Oppose ‘Bathroom Bills’ Aimed At Transgender Americans

Surprising results from a new poll regarding “bathroom” bills and transgender Americans.

GOP Begins 2016 General Election Race With A Big Electoral College Disadvantage

A first look at the Electoral College paints a very grim picture for Donald Trump and the GOP.

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore Suspended From Office Again

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore has been removed from office again.

April Jobs Report Disappoints After Three Months Of Positive News

After starting off the year strong, the jobs market seems to have taken a rest in April.

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Paul Ryan, Donald Trump, And The Future Of The Republican Party

Paul Ryan is declining to back Donald Trump for the time being, but other Republicans are making their own choices.

Time For The Senate GOP To Give In On Merrick Garland Nomination?

With Donald Trump now confirmed as the GOP nominee, some conservatives are suggesting that the Senate GOP should just give in on the nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.

Early Poll Numbers Show Hillary Clinton Trouncing Donald Trump

If these numbers hold up, then the GOP may as well start planning for the 2020 primaries now.

John Kasich Dropping Out, Clearing The Field For The Worst GOP Candidate Ever

In a rational universe somewhere, John Kasich is preparing to become the de facto Republican nominee for President. In ours, he’s dropping out in favor of Donald Trump.

Sanders Wins Indiana Primary, But Hillary Clinton Continues To Advance In Delegate Fight

Bernie Sanders won the Indiana Primary last night, but Hillary Clinton continues to accrue the delegates she needs to become the Democratic nominee.

Donald Trump Wins Indiana, Becomes Presumptive Nominee, As Ted Cruz Drops Out

Donald Trump’s win last night made him the presumptive Republican nominee, whether Republicans will unify around him is another question.

Does Donald Trump Really Believe Ted Cruz’s Father Is Connected To JFK’s Assassination?

The GOP race for President takes yet another bizarre turn.

Hoosier State Showdown

The results from today’s Indiana Primary will go a long way toward setting the course for the end of both party’s nomination fights.

Donald Trump’s Vice-Presidential Choice: Would It Be Conventional, Or Crazy?

Several top Republicans have already said that they would not accept a position on a ticket with Donald Trump, so who might he choose?

Indiana Could Be The Last Stand For The ‘Stop Trump’ Movement

Donald Trump seems poised for another solid victory in Indiana tomorrow, while the effort to stop him from winning a majority of delegates looks to be running out of options.

Republicans Resigning Themselves To Trump Being Their Nominee

For better or worse, Republicans seem to be resigning themselves to the inevitable.

Supreme Court Appears Sympathetic To Bob McDonnell’s Appeal

Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s fate lies the hands of the Supreme Court.

Ted Cruz To Name Carly Fiorina As “Running Mate”

In an unprecedented move that reeks of desperation, Ted Cruz is naming Carly Fiorina as his running mate before the primary process has even ended.

Hillary Clinton Sweeps Four Of Five Mid-Atlantic States, Edges Closer To Delegate Majority

Another big night for Hillary Clinton, and more bad news for Bernie Sanders.

Trump Sweeps Mid-Atlantic Primaries, Putting Himself One Step Closer To Victory

Another round of victories puts Donald Trump another step closer to the Republican nomination.

Voters Don’t Seem To Care About The Political Fight Over Vacant Supreme Court Seat

It may be the talk of Washington, but the political fight over Justice Scalia’s vacant Supreme Court seat does not seem to be something voters care very much about.

Cruz-Kasich “Alliance” Already Falling Apart

To the surprise of no one, the alliance between Ted Cruz and John Kasich is already falling apart.

Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton Likely To Do Very Well In Mid-Atlantic Primaries

With voters in five states set to go to the polls, both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are likely to make significant progress toward their quest for a majority of delegates in their respective contests.

Appeals Court Reinstates Tom Brady’s Deflategate Suspension

A Federal Appeals Court has reinstated the four game suspension imposed on Tom Brady over the so-called ‘Deflategate’ scandal.

Transgender Rights And The Sudden Conservative Obsession With Bathrooms

The passage of a new law in North Carolina has revealed an apparent obsession among some on the right with who gets to use which restroom.

Cruz, Kasich Team Up In Latest Effort To Stop Donald Trump

Ted Cruz and John Kasich have come up with yet another plan to stop Donald Trump.

Virginia Governor Restores Voting Rights To 200,000 Ex-Felons

In a huge step forward for criminal justice reform, Virginia’s Governor has restored voting rights for some 200,000 people who have paid their debt to society.

Prince Dead At 57

A music legend has passed at far too young an age.

Clinton Campaign Looking Beyond Sanders, Looking At Potential Running Mates

Hillary Clinton’s campaign is beginning to look beyond Bernie Sanders and talk about running mates.

Harriet Tubman To Replace Andrew Jackson On $20 Bill

Woman who liberated slaves to replace slaveholding President who presided over Native American genocide on American currency.

Clinton Wins Big In New York As Sanders Campaign Becomes Even More Quixotic

Hillary Clinton scored another big win in New York last night, putting her closer to clinching the Democratic nomination, and causing Bernie Sanders’ campaign to make even less sense.