08.22.10 / MSNBC 'Meet the Press' Full Broadcast

Countdown to the Midterms: a special hour devoted to this November's elections. What issues really matter to the American people? Will voters make it a referendum on President Obama? And how will the nation's weakening economic outlook impact it all? An exclusive conversation with the man heading up the opposition party on the Hill, Republican Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

The debate about spending and your taxes & the Tea Party's impact on the future of American politics. Two political insiders give their take: Author of the new book, "Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto," Fmr. House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) versus Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-MI).

We take an in-depth look at President Obama's performance and how he's dealing with a full plate of divisive issues: the withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq, the controversy over a Muslim group's plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero in Manhattan, and the renewed economic downturn. Our roundtable weighs in on it all: A Republican Candidate for New York Governor, Fmr. Rep. Rick Lazio, The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg; The Wall Street Journal's Paul Gigot, and BBC World News America's Katty Kay.