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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.
Don Gonyea 2010
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Don Gonyea

Politics

Not All Republicans Embrace Big Business All The Time

The Republican Party in the past has had a close relationship with Wall Street and big business. But lately there's growing tension and disagreement as some Republicans in Congress consider a possible government shutdown. The Tea Party seems to have the strongest criticism of big business.

Not All Republicans Embrace Big Business All The Time

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Conservative Group To Young People: 'Opt Out' Of Obamacare

Linda Norman (right) and Joanna Galt, both from Florida, hold their banners during a "Exempt America from Obamacare" rally on the West Lawn of the Capitol on Sept. 10. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

It's All Politics

Conservative Group To Young People: 'Opt Out' Of Obamacare

This fall the conservative group Generation Opportunity will fan out across college campuses to urge young Americans to be wary of Obamacare. The effort kicked off this week with some controversial and purposely creepy Web ads.

Conservative Group To Young People: 'Opt Out' Of Obamacare

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National

Gun Control Advocates Say Little After Navy Yard Shooting

In the aftermath of this week's shooting rampage at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., there has been no revival of the debate over gun control. In fact, the response from both sides in the debate has been muted. That's very different from what happened after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in December.

Gun Control Advocates Say Little After Navy Yard Shooting

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6 Lessons From The Colorado Gun Wars

A man walks past a Democratic campaign office (left) and a pro-gun-group's office, which display signs against, and in favor of, recalling Democratic state Sen. Angela Giron, on the day of the Sept. 10 recall vote in Pueblo, Colo. Brennan Linsley/AP hide caption

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Brennan Linsley/AP

Politics

6 Lessons From The Colorado Gun Wars

There's still a big gap in the level of intensity between gun groups and gun control advocates.

6 Lessons From The Colorado Gun Wars

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Politics

Tea Party Won't Let Congress Forget Obamacare Issues

Tea Party Patriots are making a push for Congress to defund the new health care law as part of debates over the budget and funding the federal government. On Capitol Hill Tuesday, Tea Party activists have scheduled an afternoon gathering to rally support for cutting off funding for the health law often referred to as Obamacare.

Tea Party Won't Let Congress Forget Obamacare Issues

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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