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

Katrina & Beyond

Bush Taps White House Official to Lead Katrina Inquiry

President Bush has named White House homeland security adviser Frances Townsend to lead a probe into the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. The choice drew fire from Democrats, who said Townsend could not be independent. Other efforts to create investigation panels have collapsed on Capitol Hill.

Bush Taps White House Official to Lead Katrina Inquiry

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4856446/4856447" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Katrina & Beyond

Bush Promises New Orleans 'Will Rise Again'

In an address to the nation from New Orleans Thursday evening, President Bush outlined a massive reconstruction plan to restore areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. He touched on areas from rebuilding electrical systems to mail delivery as he pledged substantial federal help.

Bush Promises New Orleans 'Will Rise Again'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4850188/4850189" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

National

Bush to Lay Out Plan to Rebuild New Orleans

President Bush will address the nation from New Orleans Thursday evening, when he is expected to propose the biggest bailout for a region in national history. Bush will be speaking from Jackson Square, the center of the evacuated city.

Bush to Lay Out Plan to Rebuild New Orleans

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4849487/4849488" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

At U.N., Bush Is Grateful for World's Katrina Aid

At a summit marking 60 years of the United Nations, President Bush thanks the 115 countries that have offered help since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast last month. The president also stressed the fight against terrorism and the need for open trade.

At U.N., Bush Is Grateful for World's Katrina Aid

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4847854/4847855" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Storms Shake Presidential Agenda

Big hurricanes have been known to change political landscapes. That's one reason the Bush administration is making every effort to rebound from the blow Hurricane Katrina has dealt to its agenda and standing.

Storms Shake Presidential Agenda

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4844211/4844212" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Katrina & Beyond

President Bush Surveys New Orleans Area

President Bush visits New Orleans and nearby parishes that were hard-hit by Hurricane Katrina. The president spent the night aboard the USS Iwo Jima docked in the Mississippi River near downtown New Orleans.

President Bush Surveys New Orleans Area

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4841868/4841869" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sept. 11: The Fourth Anniversary

White House Ceremony Marks Sept. 11

President Bush attends a moment of silence and the playing of taps to commemorate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He later flies to Louisiana for another visit with victims of Hurricane Katrina.

White House Ceremony Marks Sept. 11

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4841112/4841113" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Politics

Bush's Nomination of Roberts a Balancing Act

President Bush's nomination of John Roberts to be the next chief justice comes just two days after the death of William H. Rehnquist. The president's announcement comes as he prepares to tour hurricane-stricken areas and faces political fire for the slow pace of relief efforts so far.

Bush's Nomination of Roberts a Balancing Act

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4832783/4832784" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Bush Returns to Survey Damage on Gulf Coast

President Bush on Monday returns to devastated regions of the Gulf Coast to meet with aid workers and review relief efforts. Mr. Bush has been criticized for responding too slowly with hurricane relief efforts, but he has praised the director of FEMA for his efforts so far.

Bush Returns to Survey Damage on Gulf Coast

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4832599/4832600" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Law

Rehnquist's Death: What to Expect Next

Chief Justice William Rehnquist died last evening, opening a second seat on the Supreme Court as nomination hearings are set to begin for John Roberts to take the seat vacated by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Rehnquist's Death: What to Expect Next

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4832329/4832330" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

White House Reacts to Katrina Criticism

The White House seeks to deflect political criticism stemming from the federal response to Katrina. Emphasis is on the overwhelming size of the storm, and mild counterattacks on the state and local response.

White House Reacts to Katrina Criticism

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4832031/4832032" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Bush Pledges More Help, More Troops

President Bush acknowledges again that response to Hurricane Katrina's victims is unacceptable. He announced that a total of 17,000 more troops -- including 7,200 active-duty members of the U.S. military --will be deployed over the next 72 hours.

Bush Pledges More Help, More Troops

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4831746/4831747" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript