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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

The Devastating History Of Midterm Elections

U.S. President Ronald Reagan quiets a cheering crowd at a Republican rally in November 1986. Douglas C. Pizac/AP hide caption

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Douglas C. Pizac/AP

Politics

The Devastating History Of Midterm Elections

Over the past century, midterm elections have been pretty rough on the party that holds the White House.

The Devastating History Of Midterm Elections

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Politics

Big GOP Names Stump For Local Candidates With Eye Toward 2016

Many national figures in the Republican Party have been trying to give GOP candidates a boost in competitive races — and potentially help their own future presidential ambitions. Renee Montagne checks in with NPR's Don Gonyea, who's been keeping tabs on who's out on the trail.

Big GOP Names Stump For Local Candidates With Eye Toward 2016

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Politics

With Biden By His Side, Minnesota Democrat Mines For Blue-Collar Vote

Embattled Democrat Rep. Rick Nolan, who represents Minnesota's Iron Range, gets a campaign visit from the administration's blue-collar vote whisperer, Joe Biden.

With Biden By His Side, Minnesota Democrat Mines For Blue-Collar Vote

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Politics

Obama Sits Out Campaigning As Fill-Ins Stump For Democrats

With President Obama's popularity suffering, other big-name Democrats are trying to give candidates a boost. Steve Inskeep talks to NPR's Don Gonyea about what they're telling voters.

Obama Sits Out Campaigning As Fill-Ins Stump For Democrats

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Senate Race Delivers A Surprise Jolt To Conservative South Dakota

Democratic candidate Rick Weiland, a businessman, plays at a union hall in Sioux Falls, S.D. "We've tried to make this campaign fun," he told the crowd. "We're enjoying it. I hope you are." Don Gonyea/NPR hide caption

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Politics

Senate Race Delivers A Surprise Jolt To Conservative South Dakota

The state's now-rollicking U.S. Senate battle is turning it into a battleground, complicating efforts to predict which party will emerge from the midterm elections with control over the chamber.

Senate Race Delivers A Surprise Jolt To Conservative South Dakota

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Ducking Social Issues, GOP Struggles To Keep Conservatives Close

Iowa's Westside Conservative Club holds breakfast meetings at a Machine Shed restaurant outside Des Moines. Longtime GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley spoke at a recent breakfast. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Ducking Social Issues, GOP Struggles To Keep Conservatives Close

Republicans are expecting to do well in November, and one thing they're not doing this election is emphasizing social issues. That choice is causing some frustration among core supporters.

Ducking Social Issues, GOP Struggles To Keep Conservatives Close

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National Security

Secret Service's Hollywood Allure Fueled By Its Secrecy

Before Secret Service agents found themselves the butt of late-night TV jokes, they were more used to being portrayed in big-budget Hollywood movies. We look at the service through Hollywood's lens.

Secret Service's Hollywood Allure Fueled By Its Secrecy

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In Michigan, A Low-Key Campaign For A High-Stakes Senate Seat

Terri Lynn Land walks in the Labor Day Parade in Romeo, Mich., on Sept. 1. Land has made some public appearances like this one but overall is running a low-key race in the state. Paul Sancya/AP hide caption

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Paul Sancya/AP

Politics

In Michigan, A Low-Key Campaign For A High-Stakes Senate Seat

GOP candidate Terri Lynn Land is taking it slow when it comes to public events. Her opponent, Democrat Rep. Gary Peters, leads in polls, but the race is close.

In Michigan, A Low-Key Campaign For A High-Stakes Senate Seat

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For Michigan Political Ads, The Tigers Are The Big Game In Town

Detroit Tigers Victor Martinez (left) and Torii Hunter celebrate Martinez's two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Paul Sancya/AP hide caption

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Paul Sancya/AP

It's All Politics

For Michigan Political Ads, The Tigers Are The Big Game In Town

Why do advertisers love buying time for political ads during Detroit Tigers baseball games?

For Michigan Political Ads, The Tigers Are The Big Game In Town

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Will Bridge Scandal Jam Gov. Christie's Road Show?

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie greets supporters at a campaign event for Scott Brown (center left) in Salem, N.H. Elise Amendola/AP hide caption

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Elise Amendola/AP

It's All Politics

Will Bridge Scandal Jam Gov. Christie's Road Show?

It seems every time you turn around in the early primary states, you bump into another potential — let's say likely — candidate for president. New Jersey's Chris Christie is one of them.

Will Bridge Scandal Jam Gov. Christie's Road Show?

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Hillary Clinton Keeps Iowa Crowd Guessing About Her Presidential Plans

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton and U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin work the grill during Harkin's annual fundraising steak fry in Indianola, Iowa, on Sunday. Charlie Neibergall/AP hide caption

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Charlie Neibergall/AP

It's All Politics

Hillary Clinton Keeps Iowa Crowd Guessing About Her Presidential Plans

Clinton, who says she hasn't yet decided on a 2016 presidential run, was in Iowa Sunday for the first time since she lost the 2008 caucuses to Barack Obama. She attended Sen. Tom Harkin's steak fry.

Hillary Clinton Keeps Iowa Crowd Guessing About Her Presidential Plans

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A Promise Fulfilled Upends Kansas Governor's Race

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback (left) listens while his Democratic challenger Paul Davis answers a question during their first debate at the Kansas State Fair. Charlie Riedel/AP hide caption

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Charlie Riedel/AP

Politics

A Promise Fulfilled Upends Kansas Governor's Race

GOP Gov. Sam Brownback is losing support from his own party because his tax-cutting agenda contributed to the state's budget problem. Moderate Republicans are turning to the Democratic opponent.

A Promise Fulfilled Upends Kansas Governor's Race

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Once Low-Key, U.S. Senate Race In Kansas Suddenly Volatile

Republican Sen. Pat Roberts (left) and independent candidate Greg Orman shake hands after a debate at the Kansas State Fair on Saturday in Hutchinson, Kan. Charlie Riedel/AP hide caption

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Charlie Riedel/AP

Politics

Once Low-Key, U.S. Senate Race In Kansas Suddenly Volatile

Sen. Pat Roberts was expected to skate to re-election. Republicans now are panicked that he could lose to a well-funded independent candidate, harming the GOP's chances of winning Senate control.

Once Low-Key, U.S. Senate Race In Kansas Suddenly Volatile

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Guns Boom In 2014 Campaign Ads

Image from Montana congressional hopeful Matt Rosendale's campaign ad, in which he shoots what he calls a government drone out of the sky. YouTube hide caption

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YouTube

Politics

Guns Boom In 2014 Campaign Ads

Ads with candidates shooting guns are proliferating this year. It can all be traced back to Sen. Joe Manchin's famed 2010 spot "Dead Aim."

Guns Boom In 2014 Campaign Ads

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State Democrats Play Defense Ahead Of Midterm Elections
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It's All Politics

State Democrats Play Defense Ahead Of Midterm Elections

Across the nation, state legislators are gearing up for Election Day. And they're well aware that their fates could be tied to national political forces like the president's low approval rating.

State Democrats Play Defense Ahead Of Midterm Elections

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