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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

LISTEN: 6 Moments From A Surprising Year In Presidential Politics

When former Gov. Jeb Bush announced his candidacy in June 2015, he was talked about as the likely front-runner for the GOP nomination. Johnny Louis/FilmMagic hide caption

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Johnny Louis/FilmMagic

Politics

LISTEN: 6 Moments From A Surprising Year In Presidential Politics

At almost every turn, the conventional wisdom turned out to be wrong in politics in 2015 — from Donald Trump to the depth of Bernie Sanders' support to the lack of strength of governors.

LISTEN: 6 Moments From A Surprising Year In Presidential Politics

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The Student Who Once Nudged His Way To The Oval Office Now Hopes To Move In

President Richard Nixon meets with John Kasich, a freshman at Ohio State, on Dec. 22, 1970. Oliver Atkins/White House hide caption

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Oliver Atkins/White House

Journey Home

The Student Who Once Nudged His Way To The Oval Office Now Hopes To Move In

John Kasich, GOP presidential hopeful, has had a habit of speaking his mind, even as a college student at Ohio State. It has served the Ohio governor well in politics.

The Student Who Once Nudged His Way To The Oval Office Now Hopes To Move In

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How ISIS, Paris And San Bernardino Have Changed The Republican Race

An American soldier carrying equipment walks past an American flag at Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey, as U.S. Air Force war planes are used against ISIS. Anadolu Agency/Getty Images hide caption

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Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Politics

How ISIS, Paris And San Bernardino Have Changed The Republican Race

National security and terrorism have been a top issue for Republicans, but they have gained even more importance after the Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., attacks.

Politics

Final GOP Debate Of 2015 Likely To Focus On National Security

Republican presidential candidates were last on a stage three days before the terrorist attacks in Paris, talking about the economy. Since then, campaign issues have taken a sharp turn.

Final GOP Debate Of 2015 Likely To Focus On National Security

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Religion

Michigan's Arab-Americans Respond To Donald Trump's Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

Dearborn, Mich., has the largest proportion of Arab-Americans of any city in the U.S., including many who follow Islam. People there share reactions to the week's political rhetoric regarding Muslims.

Michigan's Arab-Americans Respond To Donald Trump's Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

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Politics

Attendees At Trump Events Believe He's The Man To Fix Things

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump knows how to work a crowd. He flatters his audience and repeatedly says the smartest people he has met on the campaign trail are the voters.

Attendees At Trump Events Believe He's The Man To Fix Things

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Trump On His Plan To Ban Muslims: 'Not Politically Correct, But I Don't Care'

Donald Trump speaks to the crowd Monday at a Pearl Harbor Day rally at the USS Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Sean Rayford/Getty Images hide caption

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Politics

Trump On His Plan To Ban Muslims: 'Not Politically Correct, But I Don't Care'

The current leader for the GOP presidential nomination received a standing ovation from a crowd in South Carolina after he read aloud his statement to ban all Muslims from entering the U.S.

Trump On His Plan To Ban Muslims: 'Not Politically Correct, But I Don't Care'

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Dick Cheney's Bust Unveiled At The Capitol, As He's Lightly Roasted

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, along with his wife and grandchildren, look on after Cheney's bust was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. Keith Lane/Getty Images hide caption

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Politics

Dick Cheney's Bust Unveiled At The Capitol, As He's Lightly Roasted

Former Vice President Dick Cheney returned to the U.S. Capitol on Thursday for a ceremony honoring his service as president of the Senate. Former President George W. Bush was among those honoring him.

Dick Cheney's Bust Unveiled At The Capitol, As He's Lightly Roasted

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Trump Reasserts Claim That 'Thousands' Of N.J. Muslims Cheered After Sept. 11

Donald Trump held a rally Monday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Ohio. Paul Vernon/AP hide caption

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Paul Vernon/AP

Politics

Trump Reasserts Claim That 'Thousands' Of N.J. Muslims Cheered After Sept. 11

Monday's rally in Ohio followed the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and a string of controversial remarks that GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump had made regarding Muslims in America.

Trump Reasserts Claim That 'Thousands' Of N.J. Muslims Cheered After Sept. 11

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Politics

Trump Escalates Rhetoric Again, Firing At Rubio, Carson And Targeting ISIS

Donald Trump campaign appearances keep getting more combative. On Wednesday night in Worcester, Mass., a big crowd cheered his attacks on ISIS, fellow candidate Marco Rubio, food stamps and the media.

Trump Escalates Rhetoric Again, Firing At Rubio, Carson And Targeting ISIS

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Politics

Jeb Bush Calls For Use Of Ground Troops In Fight Against ISIS

Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush delivered a national security speech Wednesday at the Citadel in South Carolina. NPR reports on his remarks and looks at how the other GOP contenders are responding to the attacks on Paris.

Jeb Bush Calls For Use Of Ground Troops In Fight Against ISIS

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Politics

U.S. Governors Balk At Taking In Syrian Refugees

After last week's terrorist attacks in Paris, governors across the U.S. say they won't take Syrian refugees — citing the risk that terrorists could use the program to slip into the country.

U.S. Governors Balk At Taking In Syrian Refugees

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LISTEN: Political Correspondent Don Gonyea's Iowa Playlist

No Iowa playlist would be complete without the great Buddy Holly. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images hide caption

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Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Politics

LISTEN: Political Correspondent Don Gonyea's Iowa Playlist

NPR correspondent and music buff Don Gonyea takes listeners for a drive on the campaign trail in Iowa.

LISTEN: Political Correspondent Don Gonyea's Iowa Playlist

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Politics

GOP Spin Room Finds Less To Criticize In Latest Presidential Debate

Republicans have been deliberating the format and tone of the presidential debates as much as the issues. After Tuesday's showdown in Wisconsin, campaigns offered reactions to how the debate went.

GOP Spin Room Finds Less To Criticize In Latest Presidential Debate

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