Accessibility links
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
Stories By

Don Gonyea

Law

Supreme Court's Same-Sex Marriage Docket Draws Crowds

Pro-gay marriage forces won the real estate battle in front of the Supreme Court Tuesday on the first of two days of arguments on the subject inside the court. On the National Mall, a rally was held for traditional marriage.

Supreme Court's Same-Sex Marriage Docket Draws Crowds

Listen · 3:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/175434834/175439201" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Outside the Supreme Court, The Arguments Continue

A member of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization (right) is confronted by a pro-gay-marriage activist outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Outside the Supreme Court, The Arguments Continue

As oral arguments were held Tuesday in the first of two same-sex-marriage cases inside the Supreme Court, the steps and sidewalks outside were transformed into a public forum of sorts on the issue.

Outside the Supreme Court, The Arguments Continue

Listen · 3:14
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/175361032/175396957" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Rob Portman Becomes Only Republican In The Senate To Support Gay Marriage

Activists attending the CPAC convention were among those responding to Rob Portman on Friday after the Ohioan became the first Republican in the Senate to support gay marriage.

Rob Portman Becomes Only Republican In The Senate To Support Gay Marriage

Listen · 3:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/174443493/174443466" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

At CPAC, GOP Makes Push For Young Voters

Winning over young voters is one of the biggest challenges facing conservatives. At this year's CPAC, there's an extra push to counter the advantage Democrats have enjoyed with voters under 30 in the past two presidential elections.

At CPAC, GOP Makes Push For Young Voters

Listen · 4:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/174383207/174383190" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Controversies Over CPAC Reflect GOP's Woes

Conservative activists are gathering just outside Washington, D.C., on Thursday for the annual gathering known as CPAC — the Conservative Political Action Conference. A year ago, the group was riding high, confident in their ability to help the Republican Party defeat President Obama. Today, controversy over who's speaking at the conference and who's boxed out illustrate the woes confronting the GOP.

Controversies Over CPAC Reflect GOP's Woes

Listen · 4:14
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/174269191/174269164" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Why Republicans Are Out Of Step With Young Voters

Young voters overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama in each of the past two presidential elections. Making sure they don't vote Democratic again is a top priority for national Republicans. Some young conservatives offer their ideas about what the GOP needs to do to win over their generation.

Why Republicans Are Out Of Step With Young Voters

Listen · 5:27
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/173216890/173217134" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Most Republicans Who Signed Support For Same-Sex Marriage Aren't In Office

A large group of prominent Republicans signed on to an amicus brief that argues in favor of a constitutional right to marry for gay Americans. Only two of the politicians, however, are likely to face voters again. While the public at large has moved rapidly on the issue and now favors gay marriage, Republican voters do not.

Most Republicans Who Signed Support For Same-Sex Marriage Aren't In Office

Listen · 3:25
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/172998758/172998735" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The Man In Black Goes To The County Fair

Don Gonyea (far right, in vest) interviewing Johnny Cash in 1981. Courtesy of Don Gonyea hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of Don Gonyea

Music Interviews

The Man In Black Goes To The County Fair

Working as a DJ at his local radio station in 1981, NPR's Don Gonyea snagged the interview of a lifetime. Johnny Cash stopped to answer questions before taking the stage at the Monroe County Fair in Michigan.

The Man In Black Goes To The County Fair

Listen · 7:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/172719485/172756954" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
College Republicans Offer GOP Advice For Winning Over Their Generation

Ohio State College Republicans await Mitt Romney's son, Craig, who canvassed with them in Columbus last October. Courtesy College Republicans at The Ohio State University hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy College Republicans at The Ohio State University

It's All Politics

College Republicans Offer GOP Advice For Winning Over Their Generation

NPR speaks with a group of college Republicans at Ohio State University about the president's policies, his popularity with their peers, and what the GOP needs to do to win more young votes.

College Republicans Offer GOP Advice For Winning Over Their Generation

Listen · 4:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/172119122/172175214" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Politics

Young Republicans Say 'Grand Old Party' Needs To Win Youth Votes

A group of young Republicans at Ohio State University discuss the president's policies, his popularity with their cohort and what the GOP needs to do to win more young votes.

Young Republicans Say 'Grand Old Party' Needs To Win Youth Votes

Listen · 4:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/172175225/172175214" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

State Of The Union Boosts Youngstown's Story Of Economic Turnaround

In his State of Union address this week, President Obama pointed to a successful manufacturing innovation institute in Youngstown, Ohio, as a model for other programs.

State Of The Union Boosts Youngstown's Story Of Economic Turnaround

Listen · 3:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/172034466/172034451" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
How The Labor Movement Did A 180 On Immigration

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka leaves the White House on Tuesday after meeting with President Obama to discuss immigration policy and other issues. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Politics

How The Labor Movement Did A 180 On Immigration

The AFL-CIO is among the groups leading the charge for an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws. But it wasn't long ago that unions viewed illegal workers in the U.S. as a threat and fought against proposals that would allow them to become citizens.

How The Labor Movement Did A 180 On Immigration

Listen · 4:06
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/171175054/171191553" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Sidelined By War, Bush Also Sought Immigration Reform

There is growing momentum for rewriting the nation's immigration laws. President Obama brought the issue to center stage last week with ideas similar those pushed by President George W. Bush early in his first term. But back then, Sept. 11 happened and pushed the issue to the back burner.

Sidelined By War, Bush Also Sought Immigration Reform

Listen · 4:14
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/170922698/170922681" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
For GOP Comeback, Leaders Urge Stepped-Up Outreach

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, shown at the Republican National Convention in August, has been re-elected to another two-year term. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

It's All Politics

For GOP Comeback, Leaders Urge Stepped-Up Outreach

"I will talk to a head of lettuce if I can get them to vote Republican," says Sharon Day, the newly re-elected Republican National Committee co-chair. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus says the GOP needs better relationships in "minority communities, urban centers, college towns."

For GOP Comeback, Leaders Urge Stepped-Up Outreach

Listen · 4:10
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/170314968/170336324" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript