Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
Elizabeth Warren: Hillary Clinton, elected leaders, should focus on bolstering middle class
Sen. Elizabeth Warren said it remains to be seen what former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will run on if she seeks the presidency in 2016, but vowed to push the former first lady and members of both parties to immediately work to address the challenges facing the middle class. Published April 1, 2015
James Carville, Hillary Clinton ally: Email scandal will ‘amount to diddly-squat’
The mastermind behind Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign downplayed the idea Wednesday that the email scandal involving former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will trip her up as she lays the groundwork for a 2016 presidential run. Published April 1, 2015
Chris Christie backs 20-week abortion ban
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a likely 2016 presidential contender, said this week that he backs a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy — putting him on the same page as his potential rivals for the GOP nomination. Published April 1, 2015
Scott Walker dogged by dog allergies
Gov. Scott Walker apparently won't have to worry about picking the right dog or naming it — Bo? Barney? Buddy? — if he wins his White House bid in 2016. Published April 1, 2015
Harry Reid defends false claims on Mitt Romney taxes in exit interview
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada gave an exit interview with a bang, defending making his false claim that Mitt Romney hadn't paid taxes, expressing pride in his reputation for pork-barrel spending, and saying he only ran for re-election in 2010 to spite his critics. Published March 31, 2015
Mike Pence, Indiana governor, not sold on extra protections against gay discrimination
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signaled Tuesday that he doesn't support calls for additional state laws that would add protections against discrimination based on someone's sexual orientation, but he said the state legislature is free to have that debate. Published March 31, 2015
Harry Reid: Critics fueled 2010 Senate run; I refused to ‘let the bastards beat me’
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said that he did not want to run for re-election in 2010, but he decided to give it another go in order to stick it to his critics. Published March 31, 2015
Most Americans support Iran nuclear deal, but not confident it will work: poll
A majority of Americans say that they support limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for loosening sanctions on the Persian nation, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll said. Published March 31, 2015
Ashton Carter: Absent Iran nuclear deal, military option will ‘remain on the table’
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter says the use of military force against Iran will be an option if a deal cannot be reached over limiting the Persian nation's nuclear program. Published March 31, 2015
Jeb Bush, Scott Walker lead competitive GOP presidential field in New Hampshire
Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush are leading a competitive GOP presidential race in New Hampshire, which hosts the first-in-the-nation primary contest, according to a presidential poll released this week. Published March 31, 2015
Mike Pence: Religious liberty law has been grossly misconstrued
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is defending his decision to sign a bill that aims to protect religious liberties, but it has sparked an intense backlash from opponents who fear it opens the door for discrimination — particularly against gays and lesbians. Published March 31, 2015
Marco Rubio’s presidential run may launch with big announcement
Sen. Marco Rubio signaled Monday that he is closing in on a presidential run, saying that has scheduled a big announcement in Miami in two weeks to disclose his political future. Published March 30, 2015
Lindsey Graham creating buzz in Iowa, state party chair says
The head of the Iowa GOP said Monday that Sen. Lindsey Graham is creating some buzz in the first-in-the-nation caucus state and making the sort of moves that would suggest the South Carolina Republican is serious about running for president in 2016. Published March 30, 2015
Rand Paul opposes GOP budget, says it’s ‘irresponsible’ to add debt
Sen. Rand Paul used last week's battle over the federal budget to reinforce his image as the top fiscal hawk in the 2016 presidential field, calling out his colleagues for demanding more military spending without showing how they would pay for it. Published March 29, 2015
Rick Perry tells tea party group he was right to back David Dewhurst over Ted Cruz in 2012 primary
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry told a tea party group Sunday that he supported his lieutenant governor against Ted Cruz in the 2012 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate out of loyalty — a characteristic, he said, that is sorely missing in American politics. Published March 29, 2015
Scott Walker’s camp says he opposes ‘amnesty,’ blasts report
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's team is disputing a report in The Wall Street Journal that says he told Republicans in New Hampshire this month that he supports a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Published March 26, 2015
Jeb Bush, Scott Walker among ‘star-studded’ guests at Iowa GOP Lincoln Dinner
The Iowa GOP announced Thursday that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will be among the likely 2016 presidential candidates to attend its "star-studded" Lincoln Dinner in May. Published March 26, 2015
Rand Paul backs police body-camera pilot programs
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is teaming up with a few Democrats to push a measure that would help state and local law enforcement cover the cost of purchasing or leasing body-worn cameras as part of pilot programs that will test whether the equipment could help increase public trust in law enforcement and bolster public safety. Published March 26, 2015
Scott Walker: Reagan proved governors can be strong on foreign policy
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is pushing back against the idea that the GOP would be better off nominating a candidate in the 2016 presidential race who has polished his or her foreign policy credentials on Capitol Hill. Published March 26, 2015
Dan Coats’ Senate retirement sets off Indiana election race for seat
Sen. Dan Coats' surprise announcement Tuesday that he will not seek another term will set off a scramble among fellow Indiana Republicans looking to replace him and give Democrats another chance to eat into the Republican majority in elections next year. Published March 24, 2015