Seth McLaughlin

Democrats in tough races running from Obama

When Alison Lundergan Grimes, the Democratic challenger in Kentucky's Senate race, wanted to distance herself from President Obama, she picked up a gun. Published September 15, 2014

Hillary Clinton returns to Iowa, teases about 2016 White House ambitions

Hillary Rodham Clinton parachuted into Iowa on Sunday, marking her first visit to the state that crippled her 2008 presidential campaign — sparking a feeding frenzy of speculation about what's next for the former first lady. Published September 14, 2014

Rob Portman: Senate Republican seats not in ‘great danger’

Despite polls showing a tough race for Kansas incumbent Sen. Pat Roberts, the Senate Republicans' campaign arm does not plan to spend any of its money defending GOP-held seats this year, with a senior official saying Thursday they are sticking to playing offense. Published September 11, 2014

GOP governors in blue states vulnerable in 2014 midterm elections

While the Republican Party is poised to make major gains in red states in the battle for the U.S. Senate, the situation is flipped in governors' races, where Republicans are facing a tough time defending chief executives who won office in blue states in the Obama backlash of 2010. Published September 10, 2014

American Crossroads attacks Bruce Braley in Iowa Senate race ad

The Karl Rove-backed American Crossroads super PAC rolled out a new television ad Wednesday in the Iowa Senate race that cast Rep. Bruce Braley as out of touch with voters. Published September 10, 2014

Rand Paul to endorse Scott Brown in N.H. Senate race

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is set to endorse fellow Republican Scott Brown in the New Hampshire Senate race. Published September 10, 2014

GOP dubs Sen. Harry Reid ‘king of gridlock,’ driver of Obama’s agenda

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is not on the ballot this year, but the GOP is nevertheless angling to make him the focus of the 2014 campaign. Published September 8, 2014

James Gilmore calls on Republicans to reject isolationist foreign policy

Concerned that the GOP is tilting too far toward isolationism, former Virginia Gov. James S. Gilmore III is traveling to New Hampshire later this week to argue for a renewed emphasis on U.S. leadership in tackling world hot spots. Published September 3, 2014

Christie making trade mission to Mexico

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie kicks off a three-day trade mission to Mexico on Wednesday in a trip that will give the potential 2016 presidential contender a chance to burnish his foreign policy credentials abroad and bolster his image with Hispanic voters back home. Published September 2, 2014

Republican Senate candidates struggling to open leads despite Obama unpopularity

Despite a highly touted class of candidates, Republicans have struggled in a number of conservative states — leaving the fate of the Senate to be fought out over the next two months Published September 1, 2014

Martin O’Malley to headline Democratic dinner in N.H.: report

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is heading back to New Hampshire next month, stoking additional speculation about his presidential aspirations. Published August 29, 2014

DeMint: Ted Cruz hotter 2016 commodity than Rick Perry

Former South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint says that Sen. Ted Cruz would have the upper hand right now in a potential showdown with Texas Gov. Rick Perry in the 2016 GOP presidential primary. Published August 29, 2014

Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes released new ad in Kentucky Senate race

Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes says in a new television ad that she has a track record of standing up for those without a voice — and winning. Published August 29, 2014

‘Fake’ tea party groups need to butt out of New Hampshire: Granite State tea party coalition

The New Hampshire Tea Party Coalition said "fake" national branches of the grassroots movement should stay out of the U.S. Senate race in the Granite State. Published August 29, 2014

Poll shows growing support for U.S. to take tougher stance in global affairs

A plurality of Americans say the United States plays too big a role in solving global problems — though support is growing for the nation to have a tougher stance in foreign affairs, a new poll shows. Published August 29, 2014

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett losing by a wide margin in re-election race

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is in big trouble heading into the stretch run of his re-election campaign. Published August 29, 2014

Elizabeth Warren to headline D.C. fundraiser for Iowa’s Bruce Braley

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a darling of liberal Democrats, plans to host a Washington fundraiser on behalf of Rep. Bruce Braley, who is running for the Senate in Iowa against Republican Joni Ernst. Published August 28, 2014

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley sends political troops to South Carolina

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is lending a hand to to the South Carolina Democratic party ahead of the November election. Published August 28, 2014

Braley, Ernst in dead heat in Iowa Senate race: poll

Iowa Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democrat, and state Sen. Jonie Ernst are tied at 40 percent in the race to replace retiring Sen. Tom Harkin, a Democrat. Published August 28, 2014

Karl Rove: GOP must show ‘constructive’ agenda to takeover Senate

Karl Rove said the GOP is poised to take over the Senate if it can link Democrats to President Obama and offer a vision of "constructive change." Published August 28, 2014