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
Stories By

Don Gonyea

National

Civil Rights Leaders Skeptical Of Glenn Beck's Rally

Glenn Beck and his supporters are staging a "Restoring Honor" rally Saturday at the Lincoln Memorial. That happens to be the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Civil rights leaders are not happy. The event is billed as nonpolitical, but it is headlined by former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

Civil Rights Leaders Skeptical Of Glenn Beck's Rally

Listen · 4:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/129466771/129466781" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

The Tea Party In America

In Mich., A 'Tea Party' Is Denied Spot On Ballot

A state election board in Michigan has refused to certify a new political party called The Tea Party for the November election ballot. But the push to block ballot access came from members of the Tea Party movement in Michigan who allege the whole thing was hatched by Democrats.

In Mich., A 'Tea Party' Is Denied Spot On Ballot

Listen · 4:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/129389125/129394581" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Obama's Personal Faith Leaves Public Wondering

A new poll by Pew Research says that only 1 person in 3 knows President Obama is a Christian, while nearly 1 in 5 thinks he's a Muslim. Andrew Wardlow/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Andrew Wardlow/AP

Religion

Obama's Personal Faith Leaves Public Wondering

The president's personal approach to religion makes some uncertain about just what he believes. A new survey says that only 1 person in 3 knows Obama is a Christian, while nearly 1 in 5 thinks he's a Muslim.

Obama's Personal Faith Leaves Public Wondering

Listen · 3:38
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/129335294/129357255" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

GOP Jumps On Obama's Mosque Comments

The proposed construction of an Islamic center and mosque near Ground Zero in Manhattan has become a divisive issue. Much of the opposition has come from Republicans, especially after President Obama said Muslims have the right to build the mosque. The GOP rhetoric is a departure from that used by President Bush. He condemned Islamic extremists but praised Islam as a great religion.

GOP Jumps On Obama's Mosque Comments

Listen · 4:43
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/129293223/129293280" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Determining Who's In Charge Of Gulf Cleanup

The technique used by crews in Louisiana may be harming the marshes. Who is ultimately responsible for setting -- and enforcing -- the guidelines for cleaning up the Gulf?

Determining Who's In Charge Of Gulf Cleanup

Listen · 3:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128839225/128839390" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Asia

No Survivors In Pakistan Airliner Crash

A passenger jet carrying 152 people crashed into the hills surrounding Pakistan's capital Wednesday. Scores of bodies have been recovered from the area near Islamabad. No survivors have been found amid the wreckage of the Air Blue plane.

No Survivors In Pakistan Airliner Crash

Listen · 3:44
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128815047/128815130" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

Iraq, Afghanistan News Examined

The Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction says the U.S. government can't account for $8.7 billion in reconstruction funds for Iraq. Also, Gen. James Mattis, in his confirmation hearing, told senators that if confirmed as chief of U.S. Central Command he will immediately focus on the Afghan fight.

Iraq, Afghanistan News Examined

Listen · 5:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128815043/128815132" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Books

Conflict Widens In E-Books Publishing

A top literary agency announced a deal with Amazon to publish electronic version of some of its authors' older titles without going through traditional publishing houses. That has publishers on the defensive.

Conflict Widens In E-Books Publishing

Listen · 3:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128789516/128789503" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

Leaked Documents Offer Window Into Afghan War

Some 90,000 leaked U.S. military records posted online Sunday amount to a blow-by-blow account of six years of the Afghanistan war. The documents include unreported incidents of Afghan civilian killings as well as covert operations against Taliban figures.

Leaked Documents Offer Window Into Afghan War

Listen · 4:33
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128766771/128766828" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Latin America

Cuba Marks Anniversary Of Revolution

Cubans celebrate Monday the 57th anniversary of the armed revolt that led former Cuban leader Fidel Castro to topple Fulgencio Batista. But the country is now facing a host of problems from corruption to economic stagnation to imprisoned political dissidents.

Cuba Marks Anniversary Of Revolution

Listen · 3:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128766751/128766735" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Business, Labor Push Back Against White House

President Obama examines batteries for electric trucks while touring Smith Electric Vehicles in Kansas City, Mo., earlier this month. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Politics

Business, Labor Push Back Against White House

Some corporate leaders have been labeling President Obama anti-business in recent weeks. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been leading the charge when it comes to criticism. But plenty of people in the labor movement say the president has gone too far to accommodate business.

Business, Labor Push Back Against White House

Listen · 3:31
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128674322/128674367" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Wisconsin's Feingold Faces A Fight

Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI), with Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA). Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Election 2010

Wisconsin's Feingold Faces A Fight

The three-term Democratic senator from Wisconsin has gone from being considered a sure bet for re-election to being in a close race against a wealthy Republican candidate.

Wisconsin's Feingold Faces A Fight

Listen · 5:07
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128469182/128470754" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

A Somber Celebration Of Sen. Byrd's Life

At the West Virginia state capitol building Friday, President Obama eulogized Sen. Robert Byrd as a Senate icon, an elder statesmen and as his friend. Obama headed a long list of dignitaries who attended the memorial for the senator who passed away this week.

A Somber Celebration Of Sen. Byrd's Life

Listen · 4:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128284252/128284241" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Dignitaries, West Virginians Mourn Sen. Byrd

Mourners attended a memorial service today for West Virginia Sen. Robert C. Byrd, the longest serving member of the United States Senate. President Obama told mourners Byrd was "determined to make the most of every last breath."

Dignitaries, West Virginians Mourn Sen. Byrd

Listen · 2:39
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128273038/128265870" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Economy

TARP Puts Some Republicans On The Defensive

The Troubled Asset Relief Program, which was created under President George W. Bush, is about to end. And many Republicans who voted to pass the Wall Street bailout in the fall of 2008 are now accused of being big-government supporters.

TARP Puts Some Republicans On The Defensive

Listen · 4:38
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128214887/128217120" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript