Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
Outside interests spend big in Idaho Republican primary
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce looks to keep its perfect primary record intact on Tuesday when Idaho voters head to the polls to decide between GOP establishment favorite Rep. Michael K. Simpson or tea party-backed political novice Bryan Smith. Published May 18, 2014
Social conservatives wary of RNC convention in Las Vegas
Social conservatives say the Republican Party should deny Las Vegas's bid to host its 2016 presidential convention after the Nevada Republican Party erased from its platform the pro-life and traditional-marriage language. Published May 18, 2014
Sen. Marco Rubio takes on entitlement reform
Sen. Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Congress has a responsibility to tackle entitlement reform sooner rather than later, making him the latest of the likely 2016 Republican presidential contenders to say it is time for the party to address the thorny subject head-on. Published May 13, 2014
Sen. Marco Rubio calls former Gov. Charlie Crist a ‘phony’
Looking to help raise money for the Florida GOP, Sen. Marco Rubio is labeling former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who has jumped between parties and is running again for the governor's mansion, as a "phony." Published May 13, 2014
Republicans look to loosen penalties on illegal immigrants
Republican Rep. Raul Labrador on Thursday offered a potential immigration deal to the White House, saying the GOP would agree to loosen penalties on illegal immigrants if President Obama would agree to increase visas for foreigners who work in high-tech fields. Published May 8, 2014
House votes to create special panel for Benghazi investigation
Saying they were tired of administration stonewalling, House Republicans voted Thursday to create a select committee to investigate the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi — but drew only scant support from Democrats who rallied around President Obama and called the probe a partisan inquisition. Published May 8, 2014
GOP Rep. John Duncan: Benghazi investigation critics protecting Hillary Clinton’s 2016 hopes
Rep. John J. Duncan says the Democratic opposition to the House committee investigation into the Benghazi attacks is fueled in part by their desire to shield former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is considered the frontrunner for their party's 2016 presidential nomination. Published May 8, 2014
Rep. Steve King: Ambassador Stephens’ autopsy should be made public
Rep. Steve King said Thursday that he hopes the public gets a glimpse of the autopsy report for J. Christopher Stephens, the late U.S. Ambassador to Libya, during the select committee investigation into the attacks on diplomatic posts in Benghazi. Published May 8, 2014
GOP establishment trumps tea party in early primaries
The GOP establishment has rattled off a series of victories in the opening rounds of the 2014 primary season, sending a strong reminder of the power its web of fundraisers, donors and kingmakers wield at the ballot box and leaving the tea party looking for its first signature win of the election year. Published May 7, 2014
Boehner wins in Ohio, Tillis takes North Carolina race
In matchups of the Republican establishment versus tea party challengers, House Speaker John A. Boehner won his GOP primary race Tuesday night and North Carolina state House Speaker Thom Tillis came out on top in the U.S. Senate primary race — and won the 40 percent of the vote required to avoid a July run-off election. Published May 6, 2014
Republican Senate candidates stake out difficult immigration stances
While most of the Republicans testing the 2016 presidential waters are in favor of a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, the GOP's Senate candidates are generally focusing on the enforcement side, calling for a crackdown — a striking difference that underscores just how difficult the issue is for the party. Published May 5, 2014
North Carolina Republican primary could hamper Senate hopes
The biggest question looming over North Carolina's GOP Senate primary on Tuesday is whether state House Speaker Thom Tillis can gain enough support to win the nomination outright and shift all of his attention to Sen. Kay Hagan, one of the more vulnerable Democrats in the midterm elections. Published May 5, 2014
Republican hopes for Senate could hinge on winners of primaries
The Republican primary season kicks into high gear next month with a series of high-profile Senate contests that will help determine whether the GOP can take control of the upper chamber from Democrats in the midterm elections. Published April 29, 2014
Federal judge strikes down Wisconsin’s voter ID law
A federal judge reopened the voter identification debate Tuesday when he struck down a new Wisconsin law, saying it discriminated against blacks and Hispanics, and renewing doubts about the Republican push for stricter voting laws across the country. Published April 29, 2014
John Boehner foe canned over ‘electile dysfunction’ ad
"Signs of electile dysfunction may include extreme skin discoloration, the inability to punch oneself out of a wet paper bag, or maintain a spine in the face of liberal opposition... smoking, and golf," a narrator says. "If you have a Boehner lasting longer than 23 years, seek immediate medical attention." Published April 28, 2014
Mitch McConnell vows to stand with gun owners at NRA convention
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to be an advocate for gun owners on Capitol Hill if Republicans capture the Senate in the fall election and he becomes the next majority. Published April 25, 2014
Rubio offers strong defense of gun rights
INDIANAPOLIS — Sen. Marco Rubio on Friday praised the National Rifle Association for defending the Second Amendment rights of individuals and families across the nation that the Florida Republican said are under attack from the Obama administration. Published April 25, 2014
Sen. Ted Cruz to headline New Hampshire dinner
Sen. Ted Cruz is headlining an annual Lincoln Day Dinner Saturday for the Carroll County Republican Committee in New Hampshire — putting the Texas Republican and possible 2016 presidential contender back in the first-in-the-nation primary state for the second time this month. Published April 25, 2014
Family Research Council: Pro-lifers alarmed by Sen. Rand Paul’s abortion comments
A national pro-life group is raising questions about Sen. Rand Paul's commitment to opposing abortion — potentially foreshadowing one of the chinks in the Kentucky Republican's armor as he lays the foundation to run for the GOP nomination for president in 2016. Published April 25, 2014
Tea party leader warns: John Boehner supports amnesty
The leader of a tea party group warned Friday that House GOP leaders will cave to Democrats on the issue of immigration by signing off on a proposal that includes a "suicidal leap for amnesty." Published April 25, 2014
