Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
Looking to 2016, RNC shortens presidential primary calendar
The Republican National Committee voted Friday to condense its presidential nomination contest, in the hopes of avoiding another drawn-out and destructive primary battle that could hinder their chances of winning back the White House in 2016. Published January 24, 2014
Republicans look at past mistakes to map out a more successful future
Republicans are moving this week to confront some of their biggest problems from 2012, including changing their primary and convention schedules to gain a fundraising advantage and highlighting rising women within their party — a demographic they struggled with in the last presidential election. Published January 23, 2014
Christie and McDonnell: Mighty Republicans have fallen
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell stormed the national stage in 2009 as symbols of the GOP's anti-Obama momentum, but with both now under federal investigation, Republicans' unity is shattered and strategists and fellow officeholders struggle to contain the damage. Published January 22, 2014
Amid scandals, N.J. Gov. Christie touts bipartisanship and compromise
In a sign that he still aspires to unite the Republican Party in 2016, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie began his second term by saying his bipartisan approach is the antidote to the us-versus-them message he said dominates Washington. Published January 21, 2014
Billionaires brawl over the future of online gambling
Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas casino magnate and GOP megadonor, is raising the stakes in the battle over online gambling by throwing his financial muscle behind a national campaign to end Internet gambling altogether. That puts him at odds with a number of fellow billionaires. Published January 19, 2014
Defiant Christie taunts critics: Scandal won’t hijack agenda
Looking to minimize the damage from two scandals, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie led off his State of the State Address Tuesday by taking responsibility for any mistakes, but also saying he won't allow those — or Democrats in the state legislature — to use the scandals as an excuse to avoid the rest of his agenda. Published January 14, 2014
Cruz hires ousted Republican Study Committee director
Sen. Ted Cruz has hired the former executive director of Republican Study Committee to be a member of his inner circle months after he was ousted for allegedly undermining lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Published January 13, 2014
Republicans praise handling of ‘Bridgegate’ scandal by N.J. governor Chris Christie
Leading Republicans on Sunday rushed to the defense of embattled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as he contends with the so-called Bridgegate scandal that threatens to undermine his 2016 White House hopes. Published January 12, 2014
Sen. John Cornyn wallops Obama administration in campaign ad
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas released a new campaign commercial that plays up his conservative credentials and accuses the Obama administration of trying to ram his liberal agenda down the nation's throat. Published January 10, 2014
Former NYC Mayor Guiliani: Christie showed leadership that Obama administration lacks
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Friday that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's decisive response to the George Washington Bridge controversy offers a stark contrast to the way the Obama administration has handled scandals. Published January 10, 2014
Christie fires aides, apologizes for traffic jam in scramble to salvage his reputation
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Thursday he's not a bully and denied knowing about his aides' decision to exact retribution on a Democratic city mayor by creating traffic problems, saying he learned of the plan only a day earlier. Published January 9, 2014
McCain, Graham call for more U.S. leadership in Iraq
GOP Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina say that the Obama administration moved too hastily out of Iraq and are calling on the White House and Congress to do more to make sure that al Qaeda-linked extremists do not get a foothold in the Middle Eastern nation. Published January 9, 2014
Sen. Marco Rubio: Marriage is key to eradicating poverty
Sen. Marco Rubio said Thursday that marriage is a key component of reducing the chances of child poverty, but said there is not enough evidence to determine whether the same is true of children being raised by married same-sex couples. Published January 9, 2014
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie to address ‘bridge-gate’ for the first time publicly Thursday
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is scheduled to speak publicly for the first time about his administration's involvement in orchestrating a traffic jam at the base of the George Washington Bridge, which led to allegations that his office was trying to punish a local mayor who refused to endorse him. Published January 9, 2014
N.J. Gov. Christie ‘outraged’ at bridge scandal, says he just learned of aides’ behavior
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday he was "outraged" after learning — he said for the first time — that his administration purposely caused a traffic jam that clogged streets in a town at the foot of the George Washington Bridge into New York City as political payback against a mayor refuse to endorse him for re-election. Published January 8, 2014
Escaped prisoner turns himself in to get out of cold
The "polar vortex" apparently is putting a deep freeze on crime — at least in Kentucky. Published January 7, 2014
Tea party groups push back against proposed IRS rule changes
Tea party groups are rallying their troops for a fight over the new rules the IRS is carving out on how to regulate tax-exempt groups that participate in political activities. Published January 7, 2014
Dennis Rodman calls North Korean leader Kim Jong-un his friend
Former basketball star Dennis Rodman defended his decision to travel to North Korea with several other former NBA players to take part in a game on the birthday of Kim Jong-un, the country's leader, saying it is "all about the game." Published January 7, 2014
Liz Cheney abandoned her GOP primary challenge citing health issues in family
Liz Cheney abandoned her GOP primary challenge to Wyoming Sen. Michael B. Enzi on Monday, a move that underscores the long odds facing challengers looking to unseat longtime Republican incumbents this year. Published January 6, 2014
D.C. is the gayest city in America: LGBT magazine
Washington D.C. is the gayest city in the nation — thanks in part to some of the "hunky young pols" on the right. Published January 6, 2014
