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Shields, Ponnuru on 'False Dawns' for U.S. Economy, Santorum's Standing in GOP

JUDY WOODRUFF: And to the analysis of Shields and Ponnuru. That is syndicated columnist Mark Shields and National Review senior editor Ramesh Ponnuru, who is sitting in for David Brooks this week.

And it's good to you have with us.

RAMESH PONNURU, senior editor, The National Review: Thanks.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Both of you.

MARK SHIELDS: Thank you.

JUDY WOODRUFF: So let's start out talking about the jobs report, 120-some-thousand -- 120,000 jobs created this past month, Mark, but fewer than what economists were expecting. The Republicans have already jumped all over it. We heard Mitt Romney saying earlier another example of the president's failed policy.

Does this affect the presidential race?

Shields, Brooks on Mega Millions, Tiger Woods, Presidential Endorsements

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Admit it, you're in an office pool. You're trying to win a kajillion dollars just like everyone else playing the Mega Millions lottery. The Doubleheader team -- syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks -- are letting you in on our winning numbers. In a totally transparent process, you can watch us get rich quick. Heck, you can even make us less rich, by sharing in our wealth and picking the following numbers: 2, 4, 12, 13, 40; Mega Ball: 24

Even though you know the chances of hitting the jackpot are so miniscule and that it's almost a sure bet that you will lose a dollar, we play anyway. Read Paul Solman's post on whether to play if you're still on the fence.

In the more serious portion of our weekly discussion, we asked whether endorsements really mattered in the presidential race. For the latest endorsements and your fix of politics every morning, subscribe to our Morning Line emails written by Politics Editor Christina Bellantoni and Terence Burlij, our man behind the lens.

Shields, Brooks on Santorum's Exit, Romney's Poll Woes, Buffett Rule, Rosen Flap

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JEFFREY BROWN: And that brings to us the analysis of Shields and Brooks, syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks.

Welcome.

MARK SHIELDS: Welcome. Thank you.

JEFFREY BROWN: Mark, Richard Lugar, what do you make of that? Is that another sign of the diminishing or missing middle?

MARK SHIELDS: It is.

The strength of Richard Lugar is that he is somebody who has worked, forged consensus and coalition and compromise.

2012 US Election