Accessibility links
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.
Don Gonyea 2010
Stories By

Don Gonyea

Tea Party Sees Ruling As New Rallying Cry

The Supreme Court is reflected in the sunglasses of Susan Clark on Thursday as she demonstrates against President Obama's health care law. David Goldman/AP hide caption

toggle caption
David Goldman/AP

Politics

Tea Party Sees Ruling As New Rallying Cry

Tea Party activists say the Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act will inspire passion in many conservative circles ahead of the November presidential election.

Tea Party Sees Ruling As New Rallying Cry

Listen · 4:06
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/155996788/156005187" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Elections

Romney's Every Town Counts Tour Ends In Michigan

On Wednesday, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney wrapped up a five-day, six-state bus tour called Every Town Counts. He was trying to show voters a more relaxed person than they've seen so far. Romney also honed his attacks against President Obama.

Romney's Every Town Counts Tour Ends In Michigan

Listen · 4:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/155411552/155411529" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
With Polka Band And Pie, Romney Wraps Up Small-Town Tour In Michigan

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney makes a pie shell with store owner Linda Hundt during a campaign stop Tuesday in DeWitt, Mich. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

It's All Politics

With Polka Band And Pie, Romney Wraps Up Small-Town Tour In Michigan

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney campaigned Tuesday in his home state of Michigan, avoiding big cities and staying in places friendly to the GOP. Romney seemed to be using each stop on his five-day tour to hone his attacks and his humor.

With Polka Band And Pie, Romney Wraps Up Small-Town Tour In Michigan

Listen · 3:20
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/155372246/155380932" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Wis. Recall Vote Doesn't Dampen Protesters' Resolve

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker resumed his normal schedule Wednesday, one day after surviving a recall election. While he and his Democratic challenger, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, were back at work, anti-Walker protesters have not left the Capitol in Madison.

Wis. Recall Vote Doesn't Dampen Protesters' Resolve

Listen · 2:15
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/154485158/154485323" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Gov. Walker Survives Recall, Vows To Unite Wisconsin

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat, conceded to Republican Governor Scott Walker Tuesday night. Democrats and labor unions tried to oust Walker in response to his push to strip public employee unions of bargaining rights.

Gov. Walker Survives Recall, Vows To Unite Wisconsin

Listen · 4:06
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/154408049/154408026" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

For Wisconsin Voters, Recall Day Is Here

Republican Gov. Scott Walker faces Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in a recall election Tuesday that has attracted a lot of outside money. The attempt to remove Walker came after he successfully pushed to limit collective bargaining rights for public sector unions.

For Wisconsin Voters, Recall Day Is Here

Listen · 4:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/154335018/154335001" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

It's All Politics

Fueled By Outside Money, Ad Blitz Hasn't Stopped For Weary Iowans

It's not even summer yet, and the dust from the primaries has barely settled. But in battleground states, things seem especially intense already this election season. The big change this year is the rise of outside advocacy groups, which are paying for most of what seem like nonstop TV ads.

Fueled By Outside Money, Ad Blitz Hasn't Stopped For Weary Iowans

Listen · 5:20
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/153920122/153940011" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Elections

In Iowa, Obama Accuses Romney Of Distortion

President Obama campaigned Thursday in Iowa, where he delivered his sharpest criticisms yet of Republican rival Mitt Romney. Iowa is one of several states likely to determine the outcome of the November presidential election.

In Iowa, Obama Accuses Romney Of Distortion

Listen · 3:35
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/153679122/153679105" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Elections

Obama Camp Hammers Away At Bain Capital Issue

The Obama campaign continues its attack on Mitt Romney's time at the private-equity firm Bain Capital. Over the weekend, Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Cory Booker seemed to veer off the campaign's message. Later, Booker tempered his remarks in a YouTube video. But it didn't take long for the Romney campaign to seize on Booker's comments.

Obama Camp Hammers Away At Bain Capital Issue

Listen · 3:34
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/153253005/153259401" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Obama, Romney Wade Into Wis. Recall Fervor

Wisconsin's Republican governor, Scott Walker, will face Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett next month in a recall election. President Obama has expressed support for Barrett, just as his Republican rival Mitt Romney is supporting Walker, who is a hero to many conservatives. But both President Obama and Romney face a choice over how deeply involved they should be in the recall election. Neither man wants the contest to become a referendum on their candidacies.

Obama, Romney Wade Into Wis. Recall Fervor

Listen · 4:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/152852272/152854018" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Iowa On Same-Sex Marriage: It's Complicated

Iowans attend a marriage rally sponsored by The Family Leader on Tuesday at the Statehouse in Des Moines. The head of the organization says President Obama's endorsement of gay marriage could cost him the election. Charlie Neibergall/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Charlie Neibergall/AP

Presidential Race

Iowa On Same-Sex Marriage: It's Complicated

The outcome of this year's election will be determined by a handful of states. One of them is Iowa, where gay marriage is legal. Jobs may be at the forefront of voters' minds, but President Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage — and Mitt Romney's response — could swing voters either way.

Iowa On Same-Sex Marriage: It's Complicated

Listen · 4:23
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/152550759/152561134" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Unions Take The Lead To Recall Wis. Gov. Walker

Next month, Wisconsin voters will go to the polls in a recall election that could remove controversial Republican Gov. Scott Walker from office. But first, Democratic voters will mark their ballots in next week's primary election that will determine which Democrat will face-off against Walker. Labor unions were the driving force behind the bid to recall Walker, and the movement has a great deal at stake in the election.

Unions Take The Lead To Recall Wis. Gov. Walker

Listen · 4:34
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/152001777/152001754" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Obama Team Changes Line Of Attack Against Romney

Vice President Biden defends the administration's foreign policy --€” and questions Mitt Romney's ideas — on Thursday at New York University. Lucas Jackson/Reuters/Landov hide caption

toggle caption
Lucas Jackson/Reuters/Landov

Elections

Obama Team Changes Line Of Attack Against Romney

Republican Mitt Romney is sticking with his long-standing attack on President Obama as someone not up to the job of turning around the economy. But the Obama campaign has stopped portraying Romney as a flip-flopping, say-anything politician. It is now characterizing him as an extreme conservative.

Obama Team Changes Line Of Attack Against Romney

Listen · 4:08
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/151539239/151553413" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

President Obama Takes Steps To End Mass Atrocities

President Obama toured the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., on Monday with Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. In a speech there afterward, Obama announced a series of steps to prevent mass atrocities. An executive order signed last night targets those who use information and communication technology in pursuit of human rights abuses.

President Obama Takes Steps To End Mass Atrocities

Listen · 3:27
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/151234305/151231538" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Immigration Remains A Dicey Issue For Romney, GOP

Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks at a campaign rally in Tempe, Ariz., on Friday. Jae C. Hong/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Jae C. Hong/AP

Mitt Romney

Immigration Remains A Dicey Issue For Romney, GOP

President Obama won 2 out of 3 Hispanic votes in 2008, and Democrats this election season have a growing advantage with Hispanics. But Republicans and likely nominee Mitt Romney say they have a strong case to make for those votes based on the economy, and some are trying to shift focus away from Romney's stance on immigration.

Immigration Remains A Dicey Issue For Romney, GOP

Listen · 5:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/151178322/151189687" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript