Seth McLaughlin

Donald Trump’s rival candidates to debate for other Republican voters

Donald Trump has bulldozed his way atop the Republican presidential race over the past six months, leaving the carcasses of fellow candidates and conventional political wisdom in his wake and confounding the survivors.

December 14, 2015

Ben Carson threatens to bolt from the GOP if party leaders manipulate convention

GOP presidential contender Ben Carson said Friday he would consider bolting from the party if Republican leaders try to steer the party's nomination toward a candidate of their liking in a "brokered" convention.

December 11, 2015

Ted Cruz: Arm Kurds, step up astrikes to destroy Islamic State

Facing criticism over his anti-terror plans, GOP presidential contender Sen. Ted Cruz said Thursday he would wipe out the Islamic State by stepping up airstrikes and arming Kurdish forces to handle the ground work — though he left the door open for U.S. troops.

December 10, 2015

John Kasich: I could change my mind about supporting Trump

Ohio Gov. John Kasich left open the door Wednesday to the possibility of backing someone other than Donald Trump in the presidential race if he wins the GOP presidential nomination.

December 9, 2015

John Kasich: Donald Trump’s Muslim ban ‘doesn’t represent what we are’

Republican presidential candidate John Kasich said Wednesday that Donald Trump's call to ban most Muslims from the United States would weaken the nation and "doesn't represent what we are."

December 9, 2015

Ted Cruz: ‘I do not agree’ with Donald Trump’s Muslim moratorium

Sen. Ted Cruz moved Tuesday to put some distance between himself and fellow presidential hopeful Donald Trump, pushing back against the billionaire businessman's call to halt Muslim visitors to the U.S. as part of a controversial anti-terror plan.

December 8, 2015

Donald Trump: Chris Christie knew about Bridgegate

GOP presidential contender Donald J. Trump said Monday that Chris Christie had to know about plans to close the George Washington Bridge.

December 7, 2015

Michael McCaul of Homeland Security Committee calls for end to Obama Syrian refugee program

The head of the House Committee on Homeland Security said Monday that members of the Islamic State have explored entering the United States through the refugee resettlement program, a claim that could ramp up additional pressure on President Obama to rethink his plan to resettle 10,000 refugees from Syria and Iraq.

December 7, 2015

Donald Trump calls for ban on Muslims entering U.S.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump proposed Monday a complete and total ban on Muslims entering the United States in response to recent terrorist attacks, drawing an immediate rebuke from nearly every quarter for trampling on the religious freedom that is the founding principle of America.

December 7, 2015

Ted Cruz seizes lead for first time in Iowa: poll

For the first time in the 2016 presidential race, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is the top pick of likely GOP caucus-goers in Iowa, according to a Monmouth University poll.

December 7, 2015

Trump fares worst with Latino voters in 2016 White House race

A new poll challenges Donald J. Trump's repeated assertion that Hispanic voters love him in the 2016 presidential race.

December 7, 2015

Ted Cruz, Jeff Sessions demand immigration information on California attackers

The shootings this week in California are escalating the debate on Capitol Hill over terrorism and immigration, and two of the Senate's most vocal opponents of President Obama's approach to both issues are now demanding the administration shares the immigration history of the San Bernardino attackers.

December 4, 2015

House leaders see visa restrictions, e-passports as ways to stop foreign terrorists

House leaders unveiled their plan Thursday to beef up restrictions on visa waivers as part of an ongoing effort to stop terrorists from entering the United States after the Paris attacks last month.

December 3, 2015

George W. Bush praises Dick Cheney’s ‘wise counsel’ as vice president at bust unveiling

Former President George W. Bush returned to Washington Thursday for the ceremonial unveiling of the bust of Richard Cheney inside the U.S. Capitol, saying his vice president had the "character, integrity and judgment" that he needed during a tumultuous time in the White House.

December 3, 2015

Chris Christie: Marco Rubio lacks the experience to be president

GOP presidential contender Chris Christie says he is confident that his experience gives him an edge over Sen. Marco Rubio in the Republican nomination race.

December 2, 2015

Donald Trump touts lifestyle without alcohol, drugs, cigarettes

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said future generations of Americans will have a better chance of being successful and living happy lives if they are encouraged to live a straight-edged lifestyle.

December 1, 2015

Chris Christie strong in New Hampshire on drug addiction issue

The drug issue in recent presidential elections has chiefly involved pot activists pushing for legalization, but New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is hoping to tap a different strain of the drug vote, making an appeal for compassion and treatment as he tries to woo a growing number of families affected by their relatives' addiction.

December 1, 2015

National Black Church Initiative calls for Donald Trump to drop out of 2016 race

A national coalition of black churches on Tuesday called on GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump to drop out of the presidential race, saying the New York billionaire is campaigning on a divisive message that runs counter to its history of fighting to "overcome racism and racist ideology."

December 1, 2015

Donald Trump leads, Ted Cruz surges, Ben Carson slips 2 months before Iowa caucuses

Donald Trump still holds a lead in the Republican presidential polls in Iowa, but Ben Carson is fading and Sen. Ted Cruz is catching up fast as the first-in-the-nation caucuses prepare for another wild finish.

November 29, 2015

Donald Trump not a ‘free market conservative,” critics say

Donald Trump's political and economic philosophies are starting to come into sharper focus, and some Republicans say the presidential candidate is shaping up to be more of a populist than anything else.

November 25, 2015