Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
Mitt Romney potential 2016 White House bid muddies Republican field
Mitt Romney's signal last week that he's seriously considering a third run at the White House has roiled the field — and could end up providing chances for more conservative candidates to emerge, GOP analysts said. Published January 11, 2015
Mitt Romney tells donors he is considering 2016 presidential bid
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney told donors Friday he is considering another run for the White House — a move that could further unsettle the emerging GOP presidential field and create a glut of competitors vying for the backing of establishment Republicans. Published January 9, 2015
Jeb Bush faces same issues as George W. Bush, radically different political environment
The political world has changed dramatically since a Bush last ran for president in 2004, creating challenges for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who announced in December that he was exploring a bid for the White House. Published January 8, 2015
Barbara Boxer announces retirement for 2016
Sen. Barbara Boxer, California Democrat, announced Thursday she will not seek re-election in 2016, ending a combative career that saw her become one of the country's chief progressive champions. Published January 8, 2015
GOP presidential candidates will need $50 million for primaries
It looks like $50 million will be the ante that Republican presidential candidates will have to prove they can raise in order to show viability in the primary contests, according to strategists and fundraisers, signaling the beginning of what is expected to be the most expensive nomination race in history. Published January 7, 2015
John Boehner win irks conservative group, which accuses trio of lawmakers of betrayal
A conservative group accused a trio of GOP lawmakers of breaking their promise to vote against re-electing John A. Boehner to a third term as speaker, saying their support of the Ohio Republican amounted to an "act of betrayal to our conservative principles." Published January 7, 2015
Scott Walker sworn in for second term as Wisconsin governor
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a possible 2016 presidential contender, began his second term in office by making the case that elected leaders in Washington could learn a lesson in good governance from the states — and, more particularly, from his administration. Published January 5, 2015
Mike Huckabee’s resume ripped by Club for Growth
Likely foreshadowing the attacks to come, the influential Club for Growth warned Monday that it will make sure that voters are aware of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's "poor" record on taxes and spending if he runs for president. Published January 5, 2015
Chris Christie clears Bridgegate, but Republican presidential poll numbers drop
A year after the Bridgegate scandal threatened to kneecap his presidential aspirations, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has escaped the preliminary investigations relatively unscathed and with his presidential hopes still alive, though damaged. Published December 28, 2014
Republican kingmaker Phil Cox sets eyes on 2016 race
Republican governors had arguably the best showing of anyone on Election Day last month, and a key mastermind behind their efforts is Phil Cox, who cut his teeth in Virginia politics and has now become one of the most sought-after campaign staffers of the 2016 presidential cycle. Published December 28, 2014
Iowa’s Steve King rules over GOP on road to presidency
Rep. Steve King has summoned the potential field of 2016 Republican presidential candidates to Iowa next month for his Freedom Summit, and they are jumping at the opportunity — underscoring the conservative firebrand's political pull and marking the event as the first major gathering of the next campaign for the White House. Published December 28, 2014
Rick Santorum eyes 2016 White House bid, promises political rebirth
Rick Santorum is gearing up for another run for president and vows next time he'll be an even stronger candidate — armed with a retooled message aimed at the working class, an established network of supporters and, perhaps more importantly, a resume that he believes dovetails with the issues conservatives care about most. Published December 23, 2014
Tea party to defend its small government champions in 2016 Senate races
Sen. John McCain likely has a bull's-eye on his back, but tea party groups have signaled that they expect the 2016 Senate races to be a lot more about defending the small government champions the movement helped win in the 2010 wave election than in headhunting 'establishment' Republicans. Published December 21, 2014
Jeb Bush announcement puts pressure on donors, other Republican establishment candidates
Jeb Bush changed the contours of the 2016 presidential race Tuesday by announcing that he is "actively" exploring a run at the White House in a bid that would test both his brand of moderate-conservative politics and the continued mixed feelings the GOP has toward the Bush family. Published December 16, 2014
Jeb Bush formally exploring presidential bid
Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor, said in a post on Facebook Tuesday that he is actively exploring a 2016 presidential bid. Published December 16, 2014
Romney super PAC debuts without candidate’s stamp
A "Ready for Romney" political action committee announced its formation over the weekend, paving the way should Mitt Romney make another bid for president — but even some of the two-time candidate's advisers don't know who's behind it. Published December 15, 2014
Jeb Bush lays groundwork for 2016 White House run as self-imposed deadline nears
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is inching closer to a White House bid, with some of his allies clamming up about his plans and his recent public remarks seeming to lay the intellectual groundwork for a run. Published December 8, 2014
Chris Christie not connected to ‘Bridgegate’ lane closures, investigators’ report finds
The special committee investigating New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and the "Bridgegate" scandal have found no evidence tying the governor to the lane closures, according to the investigators' interim report, due to be released Monday. Published December 7, 2014
RNC cap on 2016 presidential debates could give rise to ‘new round of sideshows’
The Republican National Committee's push to limit the number of debates in the 2016 presidential primary could end up creating an arms race of sorts, with groups denied the chance to hold "official" debates instead hosting candidate forums that would serve much the same purpose. Published December 7, 2014
Mary Landrieu, Bill Cassidy faceoff in final debate
Down in the polls and with no easy path to victory in sight, Sen. Mary L. Landrieu looked to land a haymaker Monday in a debate against Rep. Bill Cassidy, demanding that her Republican challenger come clean about whether he billed the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center for a no-show job. Published December 1, 2014
