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Don Gonyea Gonyea is NPR's National Political Correspondent, a position he has held since 2010. His reports can be heard on all NPR News programs and at NPR.org.
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News

Bush Winds Up Europe Visit, Meets Russian President

President Bush concludes his three-nation trip to Europe, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bratislava, Slovakia. Most of their joint news conference was focused on American concerns about Putin's commitment to democratic reform in Russia.

Bush Winds Up Europe Visit, Meets Russian President

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World

Bush Makes Slovakia Final Stop on European Trip

President Bush meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bratislava, the capital of the Slovak Republic. It's the final stop on a five-day European tour where the president has worked to sooth relations with allies who opposed the Iraq war.

Bush Makes Slovakia Final Stop on European Trip

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World

Bush, Schroeder Emphasize Common Ground

President Bush and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder put aside their differences over Iraq Wednesday and pledged to focus instead on areas of agreement. Thousands protested as Bush visited the German city of Mainz, but the two leaders promised to work together to build democracy in Iraq.

Bush, Schroeder Emphasize Common Ground

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Politics

Bush Addresses Iran's Nuclear Aspirations

President Bush is in Germany for discussions with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on NATO's future and Iran's nuclear program. The president Tuesday denied the United States is planning military action against Iran, but then added that "all options are on the table." Wednesday, the president emphasized that "diplomacy is just beginning."

Bush Addresses Iran's Nuclear Aspirations

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World

Bush Stresses Importance of European Ties

President Bush meets with European Union officials and members of the NATO alliance, offering the message that America values its European allies and considers NATO critical to America's security.

Bush Stresses Importance of European Ties

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Politics

Bush Talks Mideast Peace, Iraq with NATO, EU

In Brussels, Belgium, President Bush meets with NATO and European Union leaders. The president has pledged full U.S. commitment to the Middle East peace process, pleasing European allies. He also won assurances of training assistance in Iraq from all 26 NATO member nations.

Bush Talks Mideast Peace, Iraq with NATO, EU

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World

Bush Urges Unity with EU

President Bush speaks to an invitation-only audience at a 19th-century concert hall in Brussels Monday, urging Europe to move beyond sometimes bitter disagreements with the U.S. over Iraq. Bush is on a five-day visit to Europe, the first overseas trip of his second term.

Bush Urges Unity with EU

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Politics

Bush, in Brussels, Seeks to Bolster Ties with Europe

President Bush's five-day tour of Europe begins in Belgium with an address at the Concert Noble in Brussels. He emphasizes the traditional alliance between the United States and Europe as he calls for greater cooperation in Iraq.

Bush, in Brussels, Seeks to Bolster Ties with Europe

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National

Phone Tapes Suggest Bush's Unlawful Past

It was revealed this weekend that a former Bush advisor made secret tapes of conversations had when George Bush was governor of Texas and considering a run for the White House. On the tapes, the now-President Bush indicated that he had used marijuana but would not admit it for fear of setting a bad example for children.

Phone Tapes Suggest Bush's Unlawful Past

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World

Bush Calls for Unity on Iraq

President Bush says the world's democracies must pledge to support the newest democracy in Iraq, calling for economic and security help. The president is in Brussels, beginning a five-day trip to Europe meant to improve strained relations with U.S. allies.

Bush: Europe, U.S. Should Unite on Iraq's Future

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Bush to Announce Intelligence Czar

President Bush prepares to name his choice to serve as the nation's first director of national intelligence. Establishing a national intelligence chief was one of the signature recommendations of the 9-11 Commission.

Bush to Announce Intelligence Czar

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Social Security Debate

Bush Would Consider Raising Social Security Income Cap

At a stop on a tour to promote Social Security changes, President Bush says for the first time that he would consider an effort to raise the program's income cap. Income over $90,000 a year is now exempt from tax withdrawals for Social Security. The president said he would not consider a payroll tax increase.

Bush Would Consider Raising Social Security Income Cap

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Social Security Debate

Bush Plugs Social Security Reform on Five-State Tour

President Bush arrives in North Dakota, beginning a five-state tour to persuade voters in the Plains and the South that their senators should back his Social Security overhaul.

Bush Plugs Social Security Reform on Five-State Tour

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State of the Union, 2005

Bush Address Focuses on Social Security

In Tuesday's State of the Union address, President Bush argues that without a major overhaul, Social Security is headed toward bankruptcy. Democrats in the joint session of Congress audibly disagreed. On foreign policy, the president gave no timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops, but issued warnings to other nations in the region that he said promote terrorism.

Bush Address Focuses on Social Security

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State of the Union, 2005

Bush to Promote Social Security Reforms in Address

President Bush will touch on many topics in his State of the Union address, but most of the news he makes will probably have to do with Social Security. The president will propose that benefits be unchanged for all workers who are now 55 or older, but that those below that age be subject to new rules.

Bush to Promote Social Security Reforms in Address

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