What is going on in Politics?

2012 SEPTEMBER Sept. 14, 2012 Brooks and Marcus on Post-Convention Politics, Foreign Affairs, and Fed's QE3 New York Times' David Brooks and the Washington Post's Ruth Marcus discuss the week's top political news including the latest election polls, which show an overwhelming majority of voters have already decided their vote, plus analysis on Mitt Romney's critique of U.S. response to attacks in Libya and Fed's recent stimulus plan.

	Sept. 7, 2012 Shields and Brooks Wrap on 2012 Democratic National Convention Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks talk to Judy Woodruff about the dreary August jobs report, how undecided voters may have perceived the Democratic National Convention and whether the Republican money advantage will affect the presidential race.

	Sept. 6, 2012 Shields, Brooks on Obama's Need to Set Realistic Goals, 'Constituency Coddling' NewsHour political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks join Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill to look at excerpts of President Obama's nomination acceptance speech and discuss what he must accomplish: a specific plan for America's advancement that is both realistic and aspirational.

	Sept. 6, 2012 Shields, Brooks, Beschloss, and Smith Analyze President Obama's Speech Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks, alongside historians Michael Beschloss and Richard Norton Smith, analyze President Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention with anchors Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff in the PBS Skybox and Ray Suarez on the convention floor.

	Sept. 6, 2012 Shields and Brooks Anticipate President Obama 'At Bat' Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks talk to Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff about the "two exceptional nights" at the Democratic National Convention, and the very high bar set by Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton going into President Obama's nomination acceptance speech.

	Sept. 5, 2012 Shields and Brooks Discuss Democratic Party Unity NewsHour political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss why neither party is trying to appeal to voters outside their base, how united the Democrats seem at this convention and the rhetorical emphasis on "protection."

	Sept. 5, 2012 Shields, Brooks on Michelle Obama's 'Home Run,' Bill Clinton as Advocate Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks talk to Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill about the critical consensus on the success of Michelle Obama's speech, and how Bill Clinton, a "brilliant advocate," knows how to crystalize an argument.

	Sept. 4, 2012 Shields, Brooks on Pat Quinn's Speech, DNC Stagecraft, Obama's 'Second Act' NewsHour political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks fact check Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's "fact check" convention speech, discuss how the size of the stage affects speakers and how President Obama must show voters that he realizes he needs to change direction somewhat.

	Sept. 4, 2012 Shields, Brooks on Cory Booker's Platform Speech, Dems' Focus on Middle Class Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss Mayor Cory Booker's passionate presentation of the Democratic Party platform, Occupy protesters at the DNC and a shift in Democratic dialogue emphasizing boosting the middle class.

	Sept. 3, 2012 Shields and Brooks on the DNC, Platform Agenda and Firing Up the Democratic Base NewsHour political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the upcoming Democratic National Convention, including what Democrats will need to do to fire up the base, the Democratic platform, and whether Bill Clinton, a scheduled speaker at the convention, can influence the election.



	AUGUST Aug. 31, 2012 Shields and Brooks Wrap on 2012 Republican National Convention Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks digest the top political news of the week, namely the 2012 Republican National Convention. They discuss the tone of RNC political rhetoric and how it targeted small business, the lack of any mention of the military in Romney's speech and Clint Eastwood's appearance.

	Aug. 30, 2012 On Day 2 of Republican Convention, Rice and Ryan Speeches Were Standouts Jeffrey Brown recaps speeches by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, standouts from day three of the Republican convention. Mark Shields and David Brooks weigh in on Mitt Romney's need to show off his authenticity and on Paul Ryan's factual errors.

	Aug. 30, 2012 Putting the 2012 Republican Convention Into Historical Perspective Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff discuss previous conventions and presidential elections with Mark Shields, David Brooks, and presidential historians Michael Beschloss and Richard Norton Smith, including what Richard Nixon said about likeability, John F. Kennedy's religion and George H.W. Bush's successful convention speech.

	Aug. 30, 2012 Sen. Dick Durbin Gives Democratic Perspective of RNC Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin stops by the NewsHour skybox to give a Democratic perspective of the events of the Republican National Convention this week.

	Aug. 30, 2012 Former Gov. Haley Barbour Stops By NewsHour Skybox Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour stopped by the NewsHour skybox to talk with Gwen Ifill, Judy Woodruff, Mark Shields, and David Brooks about the speeches and talking points of the Republican National Convention thus far.

	Aug. 29, 2012 Shields, Brooks on Chris Christie's RNC Speech, Negative Advertising Time for the PBS NewsHour Doubleheader in the Google Hangout! Mark Shields and David Brooks took questions from viewers and correspondent Hari Sreenivasan on Wednesday at the Republican National Convention.

	Aug. 29, 2012 Doubleheader: Shields and Brooks on Humor Transcending Politics What's an election without a little humor? Hari Sreenivasan, Mark Shields and David Brooks talk about keeping one's sense of humor in politics and the rises and falls of elections speakers.

	Aug. 29, 2012 Shields and Brooks on Gov. Christie's Message of Sacrifice, Ryan's Earnestness Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill to evaluate convention speeches by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ann Romney, to discuss why foreign policy has been a non-issue at the RNC, plus the "wonky earnestness" of Rep. Paul Ryan.

	Aug. 28, 2012 Shields and Brooks on Roll Call Nostalgia, Convention Speech Previews Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill talk with syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks about the opening day of the Republican National Convention. They also discuss their nostalgia for the convention roll call and what the nation can expect to hear in speeches from Gov. Chris Christie and Ann Romney.

	Aug. 27, 2012 Shields and Brooks on Mitt Romney's Faith, Ann Romney's Speech Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss 'Day Zero' of the Republican National Convention, how Mitt Romney's Mormon faith may factor into this election, and what David calls "the most important speech of the convention," the upcoming remarks by Ann Romney.

	Aug. 24, 2012 Shields and Brooks On Romney's Comedy Act, NewsHour Wonkiness Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks weighed in this week on Mitt Romney's sense of humor and what to expect from Rep. Paul Ryan at the Republican National Convention.

	Aug. 24, 2012 Shields, Brooks Discuss Convention 'Bounce,' Mitt Romney's Reticence Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks talk to Judy Woodruff about tight election poll numbers and the convention "bounce," what effect Paul Ryan will have on the campaign versus the negative publicity around Todd Akin, plus Mitt Romney's comment about President Obama's birth certificate.

	Aug. 17, 2012 Shields and Lowry on GOP Veep Choice Paul Ryan, Medicare Debate, Romney's Taxes Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and National Review editor Rich Lowry discuss the week's top political news, including how having Rep. Paul Ryan as the GOP vice presidential candidate has energized the Republican base, the debate of Medicare on the campaign trail and continuing calls to release Romney's tax returns.

	Aug. 10, 2012 Marcus and Gerson on Negative Campaign Ads, Polling Shifts, Veepstakes Washington Post columnists Ruth Marcus and Michael Gerson discuss the week's top political news with Judy Woodruff, including recent negative campaign ads, the shifts in polling, and Mitt Romney's anticipated vice-presidential announcement.

	Aug. 3, 2012 Shields and Brooks on the Job Report, Sequestration, and Tea Party Primary Wins Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week's top political news, including the latest report on jobs, what sequestration means for the presidential campaigns and recent Tea Party wins in election primaries.



	JULY July 27, 2012 Shields and Brooks on the Veepstakes, Their Favorite Olympic Sports It's been way too long since we last sat in the NewsHour newsroom for the Doubleheader. But the good news is, syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks were reunited this week.

	July 27, 2012 Shields and Brooks on Economic Forecast, Mitt Romney Overseas, and Campaign Ads Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week's top political news, including the effect of decelerating economic growth on campaign politics, Mitt Romney's overseas trip to London, Israel and Poland and recent Republican and Democrat campaign ad strategies.

	July 20, 2012 Brooks, Dionne, Woodruff on Campaign Strategy, Outsourcing and Gun Control New York Times columnist David Brooks, Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne, Judy Woodruff and Jeffrey Brown discuss positive-versus-negative campaign strategy, the future of American capitalism and whether gun control will become a campaign issue in light of the mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater.

	July 13, 2012 Shields, Gerson on NAACP Speech, Olympics Uniforms and the Outsourcing Debate Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson discuss the week's top political news with Judy Woodruff. They analyze outsourcing, Mitt Romney's speech at the NAACP convention, tax loopholes and U.S. Olympic uniforms made in China.

	July 6, 2012 Brooks, Dionne on Dismal Jobs Report, Romney's Health Care Message New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne discuss the week's top political news, including the dismal June jobs report, why the stimulus recovery plan hasn't had a greater effect, and Mitt Romney's health care message and evolving relationship with the conservative base.



	JUNE June 29, 2012 Shields and Gerson on Health Care Ruling, Contempt Vote Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson discuss the political impact of the Supreme Court ruling on the health care law and the House's vote to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt.

	June 22, 2012 Shields, Brooks on Health Care, Immigration Fallout and an 'End Zone Dance' Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week's top political news with Jeffrey Brown, including the fallout over the president's new immigration policy and the implications of upcoming Supreme Court decisions.

	June 15, 2012 Shields, Gerson on the Politics of Immigration, Campaign Finance and Watergate Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson discuss the week's top political news with Judy Woodruff, including "the worst day of Mitt Romney's life," President Obama's new immigration policy, Super PACs and the 40th anniversary of Watergate.

	June 8, 2012 Shields and Brooks on Rick Santorum's Future, Belmont Stakes In this week's Doubleheader, syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks agree on one thing: Former Sen. Rick Santorum will not be on a short list (or long list) to join Mitt Romney's ticket. They also chatted about Mark's most recent column about businessmen presidents.

	June 8, 2012 Shields and Brooks on Eurozone Jitters, Lessons of Wisconsin Recall Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week's top political news with Judy Woodruff including Europe's growing debt crisis, President Obama's comments on the economic health of the American private sector and the takeaways from the Wisconsin recall election.