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Don Gonyea Don Gonyea is a NPR National Political Correspondent based in Washington, D.C., and travels throughout the United States covering elections and the country's political climate. His reports can be heard on all NPR programs and at NPR.org.
Don Gonyea 2010
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Don Gonyea

Despite Talk Of Decline, Unions Remain Key Players

Sen. Harry Reid, D-NV, at a campaign rally in Las Vegas on Oct. 22. Hanging onto Reid's seat is a priority for labor unions. Ethan Miller/Getty hide caption

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Ethan Miller/Getty

Election 2010

Despite Talk Of Decline, Unions Remain Key Players

Nearly one in four voters lives in a union household. They are more likely to vote and polls show they still solidly favor Democrats by a solid margin. The vast majority of their resources will go toward getting members and other likely Democratic voters to the polls.

Despite Talk Of Decline, Unions Remain Key Players

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Politics

Democrats Worry Indiana Will Revert To Red

One of the big surprises of the last election was when Barack Obama carried Indiana. The state had been reliably Republican in presidential voting for 40 years. But with President Obama's approval rating in the state down to 40 percent, and with the midterm elections next week, polls indicate Indiana is ready to go back to being a red state.

Democrats Worry Indiana Will Revert To Red

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Election 2010

Longtime Michigan Rep. Dingell Faces Fight

In this year's midterm election, some Democrats who've always coasted to re-election are suddenly facing new, fresh competition. One of these is the longtime Michigan congressman John Dingell of Michigan.

Longtime Michigan Rep. Dingell Faces Fight

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Obama Rallies His Base To Back Midterm Candidates

Supporters listen as President Obama speaks during a rally for the Democratic National Committee at Ohio State University in Columbus on Sunday night. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Politics

Obama Rallies His Base To Back Midterm Candidates

President Obama spent the weekend on the campaign trail -- including a rally on the Ohio State University campus -- in hopes of boosting Democrats' chances in this year's elections. He's appealing to those who voted for him in '08 -- especially young people.

Obama Rallies His Base To Back Midterm Candidates

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Politics

As Obama Stumps, GOP's Grass Roots Grow

President Barack Obama holds a big rally in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, in hopes of getting out the vote. Saturday, local Republicans had the same focus, stepping up efforts aimed at capitalizing on the enthusiasm gap that favors the GOP.

As Obama Stumps, GOP's Grass Roots Grow

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Election 2010

Outside Groups Target Close Ohio Races

The state is the scene of contests for congressional seats held by Democrats but where Republicans are looking for victory. One of those congressional races is in Cincinnati; the other a sprawling district in the state's southeast.

Outside Groups Target Close Ohio Races

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Election 2010

In Pennsylvania, Voters Turn Against Democrats

Barack Obama won the presidency in 2008 with 55 percent of the vote in Pennsylvania. John Kerry won the state four years earlier -- and Al Gore before him. But today, disheartened voters are turning against the president and his party. Republicans are poised to pick up a Senate seat, the governor's office, the state assembly, and as many as six U.S. House seats.

In Pennsylvania, Voters Turn Against Democrats

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White House Eyes Youth Vote Ahead Of Midterms

President Obama shakes hands as he arrives at a rally Tuesday on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, Wis. Morry Gash/AP hide caption

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Morry Gash/AP

Election 2010

White House Eyes Youth Vote Ahead Of Midterms

College students and young voters played a big role in President Obama's election two years ago. Polls show they still support him and the Democrats, though not by the record margin they did in 2008.

White House Eyes Youth Vote Ahead Of Midterms

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Buck Modifies Positions To Appeal To Colo. Moderates

Ken Buck accepts the Republican nomination for Senate on Aug. 10 in Loveland, Colo. Buck, the Weld County district attorney, defeated former Colorado Lt. Gov. Jane Norton in the primary. Eric Bellamy/The Daily Tribune/AP hide caption

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Eric Bellamy/The Daily Tribune/AP

The Tea Party In America

Buck Modifies Positions To Appeal To Colo. Moderates

Republican candidate Ken Buck is challenging incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO). In the primary, Buck used lots of Tea Party money to portray himself as a political outsider. He now needs to convince Colorado's huge swath of moderate voters that he can represent them.

Buck Modifies Positions To Appeal To Colo. Moderates

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The Tea Party In America

Tea Party: Help Or Hindrance To Republican Party

The field of U.S. Senate candidates is set for the November election. On the Republican side, the nominees reflect the rising influence of the Tea Party movement. Primary results have shown a shift to the right for the GOP. The question is whether that will limit the big gains the party had hoped for in the fall.

Tea Party: Help Or Hindrance To Republican Party

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The Tea Party In America

Tea Party Favorite Upsets Del. GOP Senate Primary

Virtually unknown a month ago, Christine O'Donnell rode a surge of support from Tea Party activists to victory in Delaware's Republican Senate primary Tuesday night. The results deal yet another setback to the GOP establishment in a campaign season full of them.

Tea Party Favorite Upsets Del. GOP Senate Primary

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The Tea Party In America

GOP Candidates Face Primary Challenges

Voters in seven states are going to the polls Tuesday -- in the last major primary of the election season. One of the most closely watched races is for a Senate seat in Delaware, where nine-term Republican Mike Castle is facing a tough challenge from Tea Party conservative Christine O'Donnell.

GOP Candidates Face Primary Challenges

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Election 2010

N.H. Primary: 7 Vie For GOP Senate Nomination

New Hampshire is one of seven states holding primary elections Tuesday. Three-term Republican Senator Judd Gregg is retiring, and a field of seven candidates is seeking the party's nomination to replace him. That senate seat is an important one for the GOP to hold onto in November.

N.H. Primary: 7 Vie For GOP Senate Nomination

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Politics

White House Makes Boehner A Household Name

If you haven't heard of House Minority Leader John Boehner before, President Barack Obama is trying to change that. The Ohio Republican could take over the speakership if the GOP succeeds in winning a majority of House seats this November. Between now and then, Democrats will paint a scary picture of Boehner.

White House Makes Boehner A Household Name

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Opinion

A Break From Politics At The County Fair

NPR reporters spend a lot of time chasing politicians around looking for interviews. Sometimes the encounter is in a district office. Sometimes it's in a diner. Sometimes the location, unexpectedly, becomes the best part of the story, as happened this week at the Stark County Fair in Northeast Ohio.

A Break From Politics At The County Fair

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