Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
Conservatives fancy the idea of a long nomination fight
Conservatives gathered in Washington this week are increasingly relishing the prospect that the Republican presidential nomination fight will extend for months, and could even lead to a brokered convention in Tampa this summer. Published February 9, 2012
Hot-button social issues burst back onto radar in GOP race
It's no longer just the economy, stupid. Social issues such as gay marriage, abortion and religious freedom have elbowed their way back into the political debate in the 2012 presidential race. Published February 8, 2012
GOP voters belie Gingrich’s claim to conservative mantle
Newt Gingrich says he is the conservative choice in the 2012 presidential race, but five states into the campaign, Mitt Romney has won more self-identified conservative voters, according to an analysis by The Washington Times of entrance and exit polls. Published February 5, 2012
Romney scores victory in Florida primary
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney reclaimed the top spot in the Republican presidential race with a decisive victory in Tuesday's Florida primary, making him the first candidate to notch two wins. Published January 31, 2012
Romney: S.C. loss set up Florida rebound
Mitt Romney said Tuesday that his loss in South Carolina taught him that he couldn't let the attacks from rivals against him go unanswered in Florida, where he has widened his lead in the polls on the back of an around-the-clock negative campaign against former House Speaker Newt Gingrich ahead of Tuesday's pivotal primary vote. Published January 31, 2012
Gingrich lobbies for anti-Romney votes in Florida
The fate of Tuesday's Florida primary may come down to the preferences of voters whose preferred candidates are no longer in the running. Published January 30, 2012
Romney hits Gingrich again over Freddie Mac
Mitt Romney said Monday that the more people learn about rival Newt Gingrich's lucrative work for housing finance giant Freddie Mac, the less likely they will be to support him in the Tuesday's primary — comments that dovetail with new polls that show the former House speaker is losing ground as the vote approaches. Published January 30, 2012
In Florida run-up, Chuck Norris battles for Gingrich
Chuck Norris — perhaps best known for his role in "Delta Force" and TV series "Walker, Texas Ranger" — endorsed Newt Gingrich more than a week ago and on Monday the former House speaker's campaign pointed to his words as evidence that the "mainstream media" and "Washington elite" are out of touch with the everyday voters. Published January 30, 2012
In Florida, Republican hopefuls target Castro
Mitt Romney says if he's elected, he expects Fidel Castro will be "taken off this planet." Newt Gingrich vows he "won't tolerate another four years of a Cuban dictatorship" and Rick Santorum argues the 50-year-embargo shouldn't be lifted until the "Castros are dead." Published January 29, 2012
Romney, Gingrich clash over immigration in Florida debate
Newt Gingrich played the role of political pinata in the debate here Thursday as his Republican rivals whacked away at his stances on immigration, previous support of a federal health care mandate and recent call for a new moon base — all just five days out from the state's all-important presidential primary. Published January 26, 2012
Gingrich opens door for illegal immigrants
Fighting to curry favor with Florida's large pool of Hispanic voters, Newt Gingrich on Wednesday called for a guest-worker program for most illegal immigrants, but his campaign could not say whether those people would be on a path to citizenship — the key question in the immigration debate. Published January 25, 2012
Gingrich mocks Romney over ‘self-deportations’
Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said Wednesday that rival Mitt Romney is living in an "Obama-level fantasy" world if he believes that stronger enforcement of the nation's laws will persuade illegal immigrants to leave the nation voluntarily. Published January 25, 2012
Romney: Make Obama’s State of the Union his last
Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney urged voters here to make President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday his last and blamed the Democrat for pushing policies that have raised the nation's unemployment rate, worsened the housing crises and pushed the nation deeper into a sea of red ink. Published January 24, 2012
Romney releases tax records
Caving to calls from his top GOP rival and Democrats to come clean on his tax history, Mitt Romney released some records Tuesday that showed he's earned $42.5 million over the past two years, while shelling out more than $6 million to the IRS and $7 million in charitable donations. Published January 24, 2012
Romney accuses Gingrich of ‘influence-peddling’
Mitt Romney delivered stinging attacks against Newt Gingrich's record and overall character in the debate here Monday, as he looked to halt the wave of momentum the former House speaker is riding from his recent victory in the South Carolina primary. Published January 23, 2012
Gingrich, Santorum dueling for conservative mantle
Newt Gingrich and presidential rival Rick Santorum are slugging it out for the "anybody-but Romney" title ahead of the critical South Carolina primary on Saturday. Published January 19, 2012
Perry pulls out of race, backs Gingrich
Texas Gov. Rick Perry ended his bid for the Republican presidential nomination Thursday morning and endorsed rival Newt Gingrich, further crystallizing the race for the conservative alternative to front-runner Mitt Romney. Published January 19, 2012
Iowa recount may boost Santorum
This could change the narrative a bit: A recount of the Iowa caucus vote could give the former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum the victory over front-runner Mitt Romney, who eked out an eight-vote win in the initial count. Published January 17, 2012
Top evangelical: Romney ‘not Mormon enough’ for social conservatives
A leading Southern Baptist figure predicted Friday that Christian conservative leaders won't rally around an alternative to Mitt Romney until after next week's South Carolina primary, while warning that the former Massachusetts governor is "not Mormon enough" for most socially conservative voters. Published January 13, 2012
Venture or ‘vulture,’ Romney takes spotlight with business background
Staples is now the world's largest office-supply company, but in the 1980s it was a startup having trouble attracting investors — until it came to Bain Capital, an investment firm founded and run at the time by Mitt Romney. Published January 12, 2012