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.

SpaceX Unveils Model Of Ship It Would Send To Mars

SpaceX unveiled a model of the “starship” it would send to Mars but there’s still a lot of work to do.

Disappointing Jobs Growth For September

A somewhat disappointing jobs report for September.

Efforts To Influence Foreign Investigations Of Biden Deeper Than Thought

More information released last night confirmed the extent to which the United States was linking progress on its relationship with Ukraine to an investigation of Joe Biden and his son.

Stage Set For Twelve Person Debate

The next Democratic Debate will have the most people on stage at one time of any debate so far.

Joe Biden Raises $15.1 Million In Third Quarter

Joe Biden reported a mostly successful fundraising quarter for the period that ended September 30th,

Open Forum

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

Trump Now Asking China To Investigate Joe Biden

Donald Trump is now committing his crimes in public.

Signs Of Economic Slowdown Tied To Trump’s Trade Policies

From manufacturing to trade, the negative impact of Trump’s tariffs is becoming quite apparent.

Pressed By Impeachment, Trump Is Clearly Losing It

The past week has demonstrated more notably than any other that this President is not well.

Former Dallas Cop Amber Guyger Sentenced To Ten Years In Prison

After an emotional sentencing hearing that included an extraordinary display of mercy and forgiveness from her victim’s family, former Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Trump And The RNC Raise $125 Million In Third Quarter

A big haul for the GOP.

Andrew Yang Raises $10 Million In Third Quarter

An unexpectedly big fundraising quarter for an unlikely candidate.

Senate Report Alleges NRA Became A ‘Russian Asset’

A Senate report alleges that the National Rifle Association allowed itself to become a Russian asset,

Trump ‘Jokes’ About Shooting Migrants At The Border

Apparently, the President thinks shooting people is amusing.

Cory Booker Raises $6.4 Million In Third Quarter

Cory Booker announced some respectable fundraising numbers, but his campaign continues to coast along just above the point of irrelevance.

Kamala Harris Hauls In $11.6 Million In Third Quarter

Kamala Harris has slipped in the polls but her financial numbers are still pretty respectable.

One Year Later, Mohammed bin Salman Still Getting Off Scot-Free In Khashoggi Murder

It’s been one year since Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, never to be seen in public again. We are no closer to justice in his case than we were a year ago.

Pete Buttigieg Hauls In $19.1 Million For Third Quarter

Pete Buttigieg’s momendum in the polls has slowed, but his fundraising ability has not.

Bernie Sanders Raises $25 Million In Third Quarter

Bernie Sanders has slipped in the polls but retains his ability to raise money.

Open Forum

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

Former Dallas Cop Convicted Of Murder In Shooting Death

Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was convicted of ,murder in the death of Botham Jean, an innocent man who was murdered for the “crime” of being in his own apartment.

Pursuing Impeachment Is A Moral Imperitive

The time for sitting on the sidelines is over. Donald Trump cannot be allowed to get away with his usurpation of power, his disdain for the law, or his continued policies that have damaged the country.

Giuliani Subpoenaed In Impeachment Inquiry

The President’s attorney Rudy Giuliani is among the first to be served with a subpoena in connection with the newly-launched impeachment inquiry.

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Trump Engaging In Witness Intimidation

Even as the impeachment vultures circle, the President is lashing out and making things more difficult for himself.

Cory Booker Reaches Goal, Will Stay In Race

It looks like we’ll have Cory Booker to kick around for a little while longer.

Rep. Chris Collins, Early Trump Supporter, To Plead Guilty To Insider Trading

Congressman Chris Collins, an early supporter of President Trump’s, will be pleading guilty to insider trading charges.

Public Opinion On Impeachment Has Shifted Significantly

Public opinion on impeachment has taken a rapid turn that should alarm the Trump White House.

Trump Told Russians He Didn’t Care If They Interfered In 2016 Election

Not surprisingly, President Trump told Russian officials early on that he didn’t care if Russia interfered in the 2016 election.

Trump Quotes Pastor Who Predicted ‘Civil War’ If Trump Was Impeached

Trump threatens civil war if he’s removed from office.

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Profiles In Republican Cowardice

The impending impeachment of the President is likely to reveal Republicans on Capitol Hill to be the cowards we already knew they were.

Jake Tapper And Chris Wallace Demonstrate How To Cross-Examine A Trump Surrogate

Jake Tapper and Chris Wallace both put Administration surrogates through the ringer on their respective Sunday morning shows.

Open Forum

SNL Comes Back With Bits On Impeachment And 2020

SNL takes on impeachment and the 2020 Democratic Presidential race.

Thrust Into An American Scandal, Ukraine’s President Dubbed ‘Monica Zelensky’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky finds himself in he middle of an historic American scandal, and with a new nickname.

GOP Committee Mocks Congressman For Seeking Marriage Counseling

Welcome to Donald Trump’s Republican Party.

Boris Johnson Could Face No-Confidence Vote Next Week

Next week could be a crucial one for Boris Johnson’s future in power.

Fox News Now Little More Than Trump Propaganda Machine

Fox News Channel in general, and Fox And Friends in particular, have become nothing but a propaganda network for the White House and the President.

Open Forum

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

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House Democrats Eye Narrowly Focused Impeachment Of Trump

House Democrats are reportedly looking at an impeachment process narrowly focused on the President’s efforts to obtain a quid pro quo from the President of Ukraine.

Trump And The GOP Have Continually Lied About The Budget Deficit And The Economy

President Trump and the Republican Party have spent the last three years lying about the Federal budget deficit and the economy.

Trump Reacts To Whistleblower Report By Attacking Whistleblowers

The President’s initial reaction to the release of the whistleblower complaint is about what you’d expect from a petty dictator.

Jacques Chirac, Former French President, Dies At 86

Jacques Chirac, who served two terms as President of France and was a strong opponent of the Iraq War, has died.

Whistleblower Complaint Reveals Months Long Effort To Push Ukraine To Investigate Biden

The Acting Director of National Intelligence has released the complaint filed by an intelligence community whistleblower that has set off allegations that the President sought foreign aid in undermining a political opponent.

Netanyahu Gets First Crack At Forming New Israeli Government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is getting the first shot at forming a new government. Whether he’ll succeed or not is another story.

Open Forum

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

White House Transcript Confirms Trump Asked Ukraine President To Investigate Biden

The White House has released a summary of the July 25th phone call between President Trump and the President of Ukraine. It doesn’t help President Trump or his defenders.

California Sues To Block Trump From Revoking Its Clean Air Act Waiver

California, joined by 22 other states and jurisdictions, is suing to block the Administration’s efforts to revoke the state’s waiver to impose tougher clean air regulations.

Rudy Giuliani Worked Behind The Scenes To Pressure Ukraine On Biden

Working as the President’s private attorney, Rudy Giuliani has spent months working behind the scenes to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden’s son.