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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.
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Presidential Race

Scramble For Ohio Has High Stakes For Romney

Every four years the Presidential campaigns roll into Ohio. This year, the stakes are especially high for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney because no Republican has ever won the White House without a victory in Ohio. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

Scramble For Ohio Has High Stakes For Romney

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Presidential Race

Obama Leads In Nevada Despite State's Poor Economy

Nevada is one of the eight most hotly contest battleground states of the 2012 election. President Obama carried it by a wide margin four years ago. But since he took office, the Nevada unemployment rate has gotten significantly worse and is now at 12.1 percent. Still, polls continue to show the race is very close there, with Mr. Obama holding a narrow lead, while Mitt Romney has so far been unable to capitalize on the state's deep economic woes.

Obama Leads In Nevada Despite State's Poor Economy

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Presidential Race

Nev. Voters Scrutinize Candidates' Economic Messages

President Obama and GOP nominee Mitt Romney have made multiple trips to the battleground state of Nevada this year. Romney was there again Friday. Nevada has the worst jobless rate in the nation, and it's a place where recent distractions from Romney's economic message could hurt his chances of winning. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

Nev. Voters Scrutinize Candidates' Economic Messages

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Presidential Race

Biden A Vital Surrogate For Obama On Campaign Trail

Vice President Joe Biden has been an important surrogate for President Obama this year, as he was four years ago. Biden especially excels at connecting with white, working-class voters — a group with which the president has struggled.

Biden A Vital Surrogate For Obama On Campaign Trail

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Paul Ryan A Star Attraction For Values Voters

Paul Ryan addresses the Family Research Council Action Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Politics

Paul Ryan A Star Attraction For Values Voters

At the same summit last year, many religious conservatives said they would support Mitt Romney only as a last resort. Now, he has Ryan to vouch for him. The GOP vice presidential nominee slammed President Obama on foreign policy, the economy and abortion in his speech Friday.

Paul Ryan A Star Attraction For Values Voters

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In The Ohio River Valley, Voters Aren't Sure Either Candidate Can Help

Towns near the Ohio River, including Steubenville, seen here in 2009, are home to many undecided voters. One of them, Brian Snider, says, "This is pretty much a ghost town." Rick Gershon/Getty Images hide caption

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Rick Gershon/Getty Images

It's All Politics

In The Ohio River Valley, Voters Aren't Sure Either Candidate Can Help

Neither President Obama nor Mitt Romney seems to be winning the hearts of blue-collar voters in this part of the state. Economically, says one analyst, many residents here should be voting Democratic; but their social conservatism clouds the picture.

In The Ohio River Valley, Voters Aren't Sure Either Candidate Can Help

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Elections

After Convention, Obama Hits The Campaign Trail

After his big convention speech Thursday and the weak job numbers Friday, President Obama hit the campaign trail. He spent the weekend on a bus tour of Florida.

After Convention, Obama Hits The Campaign Trail

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Presidential Race

Obama Pitches Recovery On Florida Tour

In Florida Saturday, President Obama made his pitch about an economy on the rebound, while stressing that there is much yet to be done. NPR's Don Gonyea reports from the perpetual battleground state.

Obama Pitches Recovery On Florida Tour

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Elections

GOP Uses Convention To Reach Out To Female Voters

This week's Republican National Convention has been designed to appeal to female voters, not just loyal Republicans but also independents. The effort is driven by the big deficit GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney has among women in polls with President Obama.

GOP Uses Convention To Reach Out To Female Voters

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Elections

Ryan Won't Get All The Votes In Janesville, Wis.

In Paul Ryan's hometown of Janesville, Wis., where he still lives, people are still getting used to all the attention since he was placed on the GOP presidential ticket. Ryan is a figure of great admiration — even if many in Janesville are not enamored with his politics.

Ryan Won't Get All The Votes In Janesville, Wis.

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National

Janesville Library Prepared For Inquiring Reporters

For most residents of Janesville, Wis., the selection of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney's running mate was a story of a life-long local resident making good. For the librarians of Janesville, it meant getting ready for a steady steam of political reporters who came knocking on their door.

Janesville Library Prepared For Inquiring Reporters

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Elections

Rep. Ryan Headlines GOP Events In Colorado, Nevada

Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan continues to introduce himself to voters. Over the weekend, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced Ryan would be his running mate. So far, Ryan has campaigned exclusively in battleground states that were carried by Democrats in 2008.

Rep. Ryan Headlines GOP Events In Colorado, Nevada

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Elections

Hecklers Interrupt Ryan At Iowa State Fair Stop

On Monday, GOP Rep. Paul Ryan made his first solo campaign trip since being named Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate. Ryan went to the Iowa State where candidates are a common sight. Ryan drew a big crowd but it wasn't always friendly.

Hecklers Interrupt Ryan At Iowa State Fair Stop

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In Brawl Over Romney's Tax Returns, Harry Reid Gets Marquee Billing

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. speaks to the media at the Capitol in March. T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images hide caption

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T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images

It's All Politics

In Brawl Over Romney's Tax Returns, Harry Reid Gets Marquee Billing

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is taking fire from the Senate majority leader over his decision not to release more of his tax returns. In Reid, Romney is up against someone who's not on the ballot and clearly enjoys a fight.

In Brawl Over Romney's Tax Returns, Harry Reid Gets Marquee Billing

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Older, Tougher — But Will The Tea Party Be Stronger?

Ted Cruz, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks at a rally organized by the Tea Party Express in San Antonio in May. Hernan Rozemberg/AP hide caption

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Hernan Rozemberg/AP

Elections

Older, Tougher — But Will The Tea Party Be Stronger?

Polls showed public support for the movement falling off significantly. But the Tea Party remains a force in many states. Its favored candidate for the U.S. Senate won big in Texas last week, sending the strongest signal yet that the movement will be a factor this fall.

Older, Tougher — But Will The Tea Party Be Stronger?

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