Shields and Brooks | PBS NewsHour Podcast | PBS

While the Romney-Ryan ticket gained momentum in the last debate, Obama-Biden still has a narrow lead. The pressure is now on Rep. Paul Ryan and Vice President Joe Biden as they go head-to-head in the 2012 VP debate. Judy Woodruff talks to NewsHour political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks about what to expect.

Judy Woodruff talks with NewsHour political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks on the top political news of the week, including the tight Missouri senate race, as well as other close contests; the latest, more optimistic jobs report; and what factors may have contributed to President Obama's performance at the first debate.

Judy Woodruff, Gwen Ifill and Christina Bellantoni discuss the candidates' performances in the first debate with NewsHour's political analysts David Brooks and Mark Shields. For Shields and Brooks, the most interesting part of the debate were the topics the candidates did not bring up and the comments that went unchallenged.

NewsHour's Jim Lehrer will moderate what will be the first of three official debates between the two presidential candidates going into the 2012 elections. Judy Woodruff gets pre-debate analysis from NewsHour's political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks on what to expect.

NewsHour political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's top political news, including the start of early voting, the challenge Mitt Romney faces in trying to recoup in the polls, and how the candidates should prepare for the first 2012 presidential debate.

NewsHour political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's top political news with Judy Woodruff, including the release of Mitt Romney's 2011 tax returns, Romney's remarks on the '47 percent,' and President Obama's handling of the unrest and deadly protests over the American anti-Islam video.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.