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

The March On Washington At 50

March On Washington Had Lasting Impact On 3 Detroiters

Fifty years ago on Wednesday, 250,000 people crowded onto the National Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial. They came from all across the country for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and to see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Three of those people from the Detroit area share the lasting impact the event had on their subsequent lives.

March On Washington Had Lasting Impact On 3 Detroiters

Listen · 5:23
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/216191852/216191860" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

2016 May Seem Just Around The Corner For Political Rivals

With a public battle between two likely Republican presidential contenders, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, and a private meeting between possible Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, it feels like 2016 is just around the corner. The two parties are already aligning themselves for a presidential race that's still three years away.

2016 May Seem Just Around The Corner For Political Rivals

Listen · 4:41
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/207209856/207209825" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Iowa Could Pose Problem For GOP Outreach

While the GOP autopsy on the 2012 election talks explicitly about reaching out to women and minorities to expand the party, it does not get into detail about its Iowa problem. Specifically, the state GOP that begins the presidential nominating season is dominated by religious conservatives most resistant to a broader, more inclusive party message.

Iowa Could Pose Problem For GOP Outreach

Listen · 5:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/204422691/204422676" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The Civil Rights Stand Of A Young Gerald Ford

President Gerald Ford finishes giving a speech on Jan. 13, 1975. Ford was born 100 years ago Sunday. Marion S. Trikosko/Courtesy of Library of Congress hide caption

toggle caption
Marion S. Trikosko/Courtesy of Library of Congress

News

The Civil Rights Stand Of A Young Gerald Ford

President Gerald Ford was born 100 years ago Sunday. He is best known for pardoning President Richard Nixon, but a little-known story from his college days might also serve to define his character.

The Civil Rights Stand Of A Young Gerald Ford

Listen · 5:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/201946977/202113387" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Obama Campaigners Try To Get Texas Fired Up For Democrats

Battleground Texas staff members and volunteers work around a table in a small backroom of the Travis County Democratic Office in Austin on April 24. Battleground Texas is an effort by veterans of the Obama campaign to take what they learned electing and re-electing a president and try to turn Texas blue. Rodolfo Gonzalez/MCT/Landov hide caption

toggle caption
Rodolfo Gonzalez/MCT/Landov

It's All Politics

Obama Campaigners Try To Get Texas Fired Up For Democrats

Veterans of President Obama's presidential campaigns want to challenge Republicans' domination of the state's politics. The group says Texas' shifting demographics — including a fast-growing Hispanic population — combined with an intense grass-roots effort could give them an opening.

Obama Campaigners Try To Get Texas Fired Up For Democrats

Listen · 5:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/197652048/198100844" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Texas 2020

Texas Democrats See Opportunity In Changing Demographics

For most of the 20th century, Democrats were the only game in town when it came to Texas politics. But that changed and Republicans have been in charge for decades. For Democrats to return to power, they'll have to hold together a coalition of minority voters.

Texas Democrats See Opportunity In Changing Demographics

Listen · 4:56
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/197872102/197899518" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
WWII Vets Have All But Vanished From The Halls Of Congress

Military pallbearers carry the coffin of the late New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg into the Senate chamber on Thursday. He was the only remaining World War II veteran in the Senate. Douglas Graham/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Douglas Graham/AP

It's All Politics

WWII Vets Have All But Vanished From The Halls Of Congress

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died this week at 89, had been the only remaining World War II veteran in the Senate. Just two are left in the House. Today, fewer than 1 in 5 members of Congress have military service on their resume.

WWII Vets Have All But Vanished From The Halls Of Congress

Listen · 4:28
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/189610257/189754114" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

IRS Inquiries Crossed The Line, Tea Party Groups Say

Activists are calling for a full investigation, and possibly lawsuits, following revelations that the IRS flagged so-called patriot groups for scrutiny in applications for federal tax-exempt status. Groups say they were asked about rallies, Facebook and Twitter activity.

IRS Inquiries Crossed The Line, Tea Party Groups Say

Listen · 4:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/184040236/184132953" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

On Recess, Senators Get An Earful Over Failed Gun Vote

Senators whose votes on the gun bill got attention back home have been getting an earful during the recess week, when many are back in their states.

On Recess, Senators Get An Earful Over Failed Gun Vote

Listen · 4:08
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/180635949/180639652" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
How Will Obama Make His Case On Syria?

President Obama speaks at a news conference Tuesday. He addressed the use of chemical weapons in Syria and said he's weighing his options. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Alex Wong/Getty Images

It's All Politics

How Will Obama Make His Case On Syria?

When it comes to the U.S. role in Syria's civil war, President Obama says he's weighing all options. Whatever he decides, he'll have to make his case to a public that hasn't been paying close attention.

How Will Obama Make His Case On Syria?

Listen · 4:07
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/180304265/180491217" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Presidents Overlook Differences At Bush Center Opening

All five living presidents were together in Dallas, Texas, Thursday, for the opening of the George W. Bush presidential library and museum. The new $250 million library is on the campus of Southern Methodist University.

Presidents Overlook Differences At Bush Center Opening

Listen · 4:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/179179641/179179626" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Immigration Debate Puts Farm Workers Union In Spotlight

United Farm Workers members were among the crowd that filled the lawn on Capitol Hill during an immigration rights rally Wednesday. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

It's All Politics

Immigration Debate Puts Farm Workers Union In Spotlight

The United Farm Workers seemed to be all over Washington this week — lobbying members of Congress and gathering for a big immigration rally outside the Capitol. The union has gotten "a huge injection of leverage" from its role in the immigration debate, one analyst says.

Immigration Debate Puts Farm Workers Union In Spotlight

Listen · 4:23
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/177032093/177120277" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Law

Immigration Activists Call For Faster Policy Reforms

Thousands of protesters descended on Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, demanding action by Congress on immigration. Audie Cornish talks to Don Gonyea.

Immigration Activists Call For Faster Policy Reforms

Listen · 4:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/176828050/176828035" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

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