Seth McLaughlin

Bachmann claims vital crossover support, but shows little evidence

Rep. Michele Bachmann says she is winning the kind of crossover support from disgruntled Democrats and independents that will be needed to defeat President Obama next year, but pollsters and political analysts don't think the claim — at least for now — pans out. Published August 29, 2011

White House hopefuls praise Libya’s rebels, but not Obama’s role

The Republican presidential field showered praise on the Libyan rebels and described the collapse of Col. Moammar Gadhafi's regime as a victory for freedom and a "cause for cautious celebration" Monday, but steered clear of giving the Obama administration any credit for military intervention there. Published August 22, 2011

GOP rivals say Obama faltered on Assad

Republican White House hopefuls are attacking President Obama's response to Syrian dictator Bashar Assad's bloody, five-month crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators, saying the commander in chief wasted valuable time in mulling the situation. Published August 21, 2011

Second time’s the charm as Paul learns from ‘08 bid

While other candidates are dominating headlines in the Republican presidential campaign, Ron Paul is quietly commanding a campaign that's showing a level of maturity in fundraising and performance that was lacking four years ago. Published August 18, 2011

Perry serves up red meat at Obama’s expense

Standing within sight of a fried-Twinkie stand, Rick Perry served up some of the political red meat and Texas twang that could make him a force in the GOP presidential race, telling the crowd gathered here at the Iowa State Fair that Washington is strangling the economy with too much taxation, regulation and litigation. Published August 15, 2011

Iowa straw poll reshapes GOP race

The weekend's straw poll in Ames lived up to its historic role as presidential bouncer, validating Rep. Michelle Bachmann's front-runner status in Iowa and kicking former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty to the curb — reshuffling the Republican race for the White House along the way. Published August 14, 2011

Pawlenty calls it quits after poor Iowa showing

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Sunday that he's dropping out of the Republican presidential race, just hours after finishing a disappointing third in the Iowa Straw Poll. Published August 14, 2011

Michele Bachmann wins Iowa Straw Poll; Ron Paul in second place in GOP test vote

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann won the mega-hyped presidential Iowa Straw Poll, while Rep. Ron Paul showed why he’s been called the Babe Ruth of these kinds of contests, finishing a close second — an outcome that’s likely to give their candidacies a jolt of momentum heading into the fall campaign season. Published August 13, 2011

GOP candidates make last ditch push before straw poll

With the clock ticking down to the Ames Straw poll, the GOP candidates with the most riding on the results barnstormed the Iowa State Fair Friday in search of any additional support, as they prepared for an event that could make or break their presidential dreams. Published August 12, 2011

Bachmann, Pawlenty trade barbs in Iowa debate

The notion of “Minnesota nice" took a hit in the presidential debate here Thursday night, as former Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann, both of Minnesota, took aggressive public swipes at each other, blasting one another's records and questioning whether they were ready to run the country. Published August 11, 2011

Romney takes on hecklers in Iowa

Mitt Romney faced down chants of “Wall Street greed!” Thursday as he stood, leg astride a hay bale, and brushed aside hecklers questioning how he planned to beef up Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid without cutting benefits. Published August 11, 2011

Romney in ring to fight at Iowa debate

Mitt Romney's above-the-fray campaign strategy will be put to the test this week in Iowa. Published August 10, 2011

Early primaries could shift focus to immigration

The prospect of Arizona moving up its presidential primary next year has Republican leaders concerned that an early focus on immigration would detract from what many see as the GOP's 2012 trump card — President Obama's handling of the economy. Published August 8, 2011

GOP voters ask: ‘Johnson who?’

Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is the Rodney Dangerfield of this year's GOP presidential field — he gets no respect, despite a strong conservative record, a stint as governor of a key state, and a colorful background in the public and private sectors. Published August 7, 2011

Bachmann, Pawlenty trade barbs before Iowa straw poll

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann's war of words comes as GOP presidential candidates jockey for position before the Aug. 13 Ames Straw Poll — the circuslike event in Iowa that some have billed the "Minnesota Primary." Published July 28, 2011

Paul’s supporters see his influence beyond win-lose

Ron Paul supporters know he has little chance of becoming the next president, but they say his third bid for the job is about more than winning the GOP nomination or the White House — it's about guiding the political landscape beyond the Republican-Democrat duopoly that's controlled Washington for more than a century. Published July 27, 2011

Ex-governors’ jobs numbers trail Perry’s

The former governors in the GOP presidential field tout their political accomplishments as proof they can lead the nation out of the economic doldrums, but when it comes to actual job numbers, the trio doesn't hold a candle to Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has emerged in recent polls as a strong conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. Published July 24, 2011

Bachmann attracts small donors, but lacks big-dollar bundlers

Rep. Michele Bachmann's latest campaign finance report shows she has a strong network of small-dollar donors backing her presidential bid but, for now, she lacks the support of the big-money bundlers. Published July 17, 2011

Republican candidates split on debt-ceiling fix

Just as Republican leaders on Capitol Hill are splintered on strategy over the debt limit, so is the party's presidential field, with the tea-party wing saying an increase should be rejected and the more moderate elements taking a wait-and-see approach. Published July 14, 2011

None of Iowa’s ardor for Bachmann in N.H.

Rep. Michele Bachmann leads the House Tea Party Caucus, but for New Hampshire tea partyers, Rep. Ron Paul appears to be the GOP presidential candidate of choice. Published July 13, 2011