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

National

It's Friday Night Lights In Gov. Perry's Hometown

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's campaign speeches often note that he's from Paint Creek, Texas, a place in the flat, dusty, west-central part of the state that's so small it's barely on the map. NPR National Political Correspondent Don Gonyea headed there this week, and along the way watched Perry's old high school play a football game.

It's Friday Night Lights In Gov. Perry's Hometown

Listen · 3:31
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/140783783/140783766" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Will Tough Immigration Talk Repel Latino Voters?

Republican presidential candidates (from left) Rep. Michele Bachmann, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry cover their hearts during the playing of the national anthem before a Republican presidential debate on Sept. 12. Chris O'Meara/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Chris O'Meara/AP

Presidential Race

Will Tough Immigration Talk Repel Latino Voters?

A divide over immigration policy has already emerged among the Republicans running for president. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a favorite of conservatives overall, is getting criticism for being too moderate when it comes to immigration. But the issue could hurt the GOP in the general election.

Will Tough Talk On Immigration Repel Latino Voters?

Listen · 4:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/140601828/140607304" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Elections

7 GOP Presidential Candidates Gang Up Against Perry

Eight Republican presidential candidates gathered Monday night in Tampa, Fla., for a debate sponsored by CNN and the Tea Party Express. The event marked the first time the Tea Party Express has been an official sponsor of a presidential debate. Texas Gov. Rick Perry was the center of attention.

7 GOP Presidential Candidates Gang Up Against Perry

Listen · 5:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/140424276/140424261" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Reflecting On Sept. 11, 2001

Sept. 11 Attacks Alter U.S. Political Landscape

Only a few events in a lifetime serve as true turning points. There was the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, the day JFK was shot and the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. How have the events of Sept. 11 resonated through 10 years of American politics?

Sept. 11 Attacks Alter U.S. Political Landscape

Listen · 4:43
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/140390469/140351330" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Perry's Presence Felt At Romney's N.H. Appearances

Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney has been meeting with voters in New Hampshire. At this week's town hall sessions, he's faced tough questions about climate change and the future of Medicare and Social Security. Romney downplayed new polls showing he is no longer the GOP presidential frontrunner, thanks to a surge by new candidate Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Perry's Presence Felt At Romney's N.H. Appearances

Listen · 4:31
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/139964589/139964576" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Mixed Feelings Abound As Obama Visits Iowa

President Obama listens to questions during a Monday town hall meeting in Decorah, Iowa. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Carolyn Kaster/AP

Barack Obama

Mixed Feelings Abound As Obama Visits Iowa

Winneshiek County, Iowa, is one of the places President Obama has visited on his three-state bus tour to talk about the economy. Obama carried the county by a wide margin in 2008. Among voters now, you'll find plenty of loyalists — but also plenty of frustration.

Mixed Feelings Abound As Obama Visits Iowa

Listen · 4:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/139680654/139681538" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Perry, Bachmann Share Billing At Iowa Fundraiser

It was a political whirlwind of a weekend in Iowa, culminating in an event Sunday night in Waterloo. Ames Straw Poll winner Michele Bachmann and new entrant in the race, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, gave back-to- back speeches at the same county GOP dinner. People in the audience were sizing both up, as the campaign moves into a new phase.

Perry, Bachmann Share Billing At Iowa Fundraiser

Listen · 4:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/139634959/139634948" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Iowa Straw Poll Offers First Sip Of 2012

Later Saturday in Ames, Iowans will cast their ballots in the state's quadrennial straw poll, considered the first ballot-box test of the 2012 presidential field. NPR national political correspondent Don Gonyea reports on the tradition and this year's politics.

Iowa Straw Poll Offers First Sip Of 2012

Listen · 4:05
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/139600679/139600658" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

GOP Presidential Candidates Spar In Iowa Debate

Republican presidential candidates debated in Ames, Iowa, Thursday night — just two days before Saturday's straw poll. The debate featured two frontrunners: Mitt Romney, who leads in national polls, and Michele Bachmann, who has polled well in Iowa. It also marks the debate debut of former Utah Gov. Jon Hunstman.

GOP Presidential Candidates Spar In Iowa Debate

Listen · 4:40
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/139570712/139570695" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

GOP Hopefuls Debate Ahead Of Straw Poll

Eight Republican candidates for president will participate in a debate this evening in Ames, Iowa, on the campus of Iowa State University. The debate comes two days before thousands of Iowans participate in the Ames Straw Poll, an early test of voter mood and the candidates' organizations.

GOP Hopefuls Debate Ahead Of Straw Poll

Listen · 3:59
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/139558713/139558704" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Debt Deal May Erode Independent Support For Obama

Supporters take photos of President Obama at a fundraising kickoff event in Chicago in April. During the heated debate over the debt ceiling, the president canceled several fundraisers in order to focus on negotiations. Nam Y. Huh/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Nam Y. Huh/AP

Barack Obama

Debt Deal May Erode Independent Support For Obama

After the prolonged fight to raise the debt ceiling, polling trends show a strain of discontent with Washington and concerns about Obama's leadership — particularly among liberal Democrats and the independents seen as essential to his re-election bid.

Debt Deal May Erode Independent Support For Obama

Listen · 4:27
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/138967040/138975632" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Debt Impasse Over, GOP Hopefuls Turn To Spending

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann (R-MN), greets Ellie Joy Matthews, 11, of Kansas City, Mo., as she and her family hold signs supporting a balanced budget amendment on Monday, just before the House would vote to pass debt legislation. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Politics

Debt Impasse Over, GOP Hopefuls Turn To Spending

The debate over the debt ceiling pushed the Republican presidential candidates off center stage. Now federal spending promises to become a leading issue as voters size up the GOP field.

Debt Impasse Over, GOP Hopefuls Turn To Spending

Listen · 4:06
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/138927721/138935714" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

'Dogged' GOP Freshmen A Factor In Debt Debate

Arizona Rep. David Schweikert has been in Washington for just six months. He upset an incumbent in 2010 on the strength of strong Tea Party backing. We check in with Schweikert as he prepared to cast a vote on the debt ceiling.

'Dogged' GOP Freshmen A Factor In Debt Debate

Listen · 4:30
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/138810840/138810821" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript