Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
Reagan’s daughter says he would not have opposed gay marriage
The daughter of former President Ronald Reagan said this week that her father would not have stood in front of same-sex marriage, saying that opposing it would have clashed against his governing philosophy. Published April 4, 2013
Ex-Sen. Lieberman urges ‘limited’ U.S. strikes on Syria
Former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman says the time has come for a "limited campaign of U.S.-led air strikes" that target Syrian President Bashar Assad's planes, helicopters and missiles, in order to bolster the rebel forces trying to topple him. Published April 3, 2013
Agents fear immigration deal won’t stop illegal border crossers
While lawmakers wrestle over the final details of a comprehensive immigration bill, a new poll shows 6 in 10 GOP voters are opposed to a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants — highlighting the tricky politics of the issue for Republicans on Capitol Hill. Published April 3, 2013
Former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford: Democratic rival’s popularity driven by famous brother
Fresh off his victory in the GOP's congressional runoff, former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Wednesday that the one thing that people know about Democrat nominee Elizabeth Colbert Busch — his top rival for the 1st District seat — is that she is the sister of a "well regarded" comedian. Published April 3, 2013
NRA-funded task force wants more armed personnel in schools
Four months after the Sandy Hook school shooting, a task force set up by the National Rifle Association issued a school safety report Tuesday that calls for more trained and armed personnel on school grounds, arguing the faster someone responds with a gun during an attack, the more lives can be saved. Published April 2, 2013
New York Democratic senator, city councilman busted by FBI in plot to rig mayoral race
Several news agencies are reporting that the FBI arrested a Democrat state senator and a Republican New York City councilman Tuesday who are among a half-dozen people charged with trying to rig the 2013 mayoral race. Published April 2, 2013
White House pressed to rename North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism
The Obama administration was pressed by Sen. Marco Rubio Tuesday to rename North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism following the news that the Asian nation was re-starting its nuclear program. Published April 2, 2013
Stephen Colbert hosting fundraiser for sister Elizabeth Busch’s congressional bid
Comedian Stephen Colbert plans to harness his star power to help raise money for his sister's congressional campaign in South Carolina. Published April 2, 2013
And they’re off! Liberal governors jockey left with eyes on White House race
Democratic governors with presidential aspirations have been tacking hard to the left, moving to legalize gay marriage and ban guns — and in the case of Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, ending capital punishment. Published April 1, 2013
Huckabee, Santorum urge GOP not to go soft on social issues like gay marriage
The last two Republican winners of Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses say that the GOP will shoot itself in the foot if it softens its stance on social issues such as same-sex marriage — countering calls from others within the GOP ranks who say that is one way for the party to broaden its national appeal. Published April 1, 2013
Caroline Kennedy to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Japan: Report
Caroline Kennedy has been tapped to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Japan, according to The Washington Post. Published April 1, 2013
Cuccinelli camp says McAuliffe’s job creation record is ‘biggest joke’ for April Fools’ Day
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's gubernatorial campaign said Monday that the "biggest joke" of this April Fools' Day is Democrat Terry McAuliffe's claim that he will put jobs first in The Old Dominion. Published April 1, 2013
Ashley Judd will not run for Senate in Kentucky
Actress Ashley Judd announced Wednesday she will not run for the U.S. Senate in Kentucky, ending hopes within some Democratic circles that her star power would give her a chance of knocking off Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the 2014 election. Published March 27, 2013
Immigration agreement ‘very close’ in Congress; guest workers still a hurdle
Members of the “Gang of Eight” tasked with carving out a comprehensive immigration package said Wednesday that they hope to file a bill when they return to Washington from their Easter break, and suggested that they are on the verge of a deal between business and labor leaders on visas for low-skilled workers. Published March 27, 2013
GOP infighting begins over S.D. Senate race
The head of the Senate Conservative Fund said Wednesday that the group will not support former South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds in the race to replace retiring Sen. Tim Johnson, the Democrat who announced this week he will not seek re-election in 2014. Published March 27, 2013
Napolitano says border is secure, though proof is lackingNo clear measure could scuttle immigration
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano said Tuesday that the border is as secure as ever, but that there is no single way to prove it - an admission that could jeopardize the immigration talks on Capitol Hill, where Republican lawmakers say border security is their top priority. Published March 26, 2013
Rand Paul, Mike Lee, Ted Cruz threaten hold on gun restrictions
Pushing back against the Obama administration's call for stricter gun control laws, Republican Sens. Rand Paul, Mike Lee and Ted Cruz are threatening to block any legislation they think tramples on the Second Amendment - marking the latest salvo from a trio of lawmakers who have been busy banding together to assert their vision on the direction of their party. Published March 26, 2013
S.D.’s Johnson not expected to run again in 2014
Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota plans to announce on Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in 2014, according to news reports — opening up a prime opportunity for Republicans to pick up a seat in a red state and cut into the Democratic majority in the Senate. Published March 25, 2013
Republicans see the road to the White House running through a state capitol - who has the best shot?
Republican Govs. Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell have seen their stars dim since they rallied a dejected base with their victories in the 2009 election, a turn of events that underscores the volatile nature of politics and has opened the door for other chief executives to try to assert their influence over a party without a clear national leader. Published March 25, 2013
Political parties struggle with gay marriage issue
Gay marriage goes to the Supreme Court this week, but it's already a major dividing line in the 2016 presidential primaries, where Democrats are scrambling to embrace it and Republicans are searching for a way to balance their traditional beliefs with a new focus on being a kinder, gentler party. Published March 24, 2013