A dead heat between President Obama and Governor Romney as they go back and forth over jobs and the economy.  And President Obama puts Congress on the spot with a lengthy to-do list, so is he using the Senate floor to road-test his fall campaign strategy?

We’ll discuss it with the number two Democrat in the Senate- Dick Durbin, and the man charged with electing more Republicans to the Senate, Senator John Cornyn.

We’ll also look at the President’s evolution on gay marriage and how it will play in the battleground states. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper is pushing for Civil Unions in his state.  He’ll join us with the details.

Plus, Mitt Romney delivers the commencement address at Liberty University.  Will he use the opportunity to build bridges to Christian conservatives?  Tony Perkins and Gary Bauer will be here to judge Mitt Romney’s evangelical tightrope.

And the nation’s spy chief wants to know who leaked the existence of an undercover agent working for the U.S. in Yemen, and a POW’s parents reveal the U.S. has been negotiating with the Taliban. We’ll talk about that and more with the leaders of Congress's Homeland Security committees Independent Senator Joe Lieberman and Republican Congressman Peter King.

Check it out Sunday at 9 a.m. & NOON ET.

EXCLUSIVE:

Tony Perkins and Gary Bauer will be on State of the Union with reaction to Mitt Romney's commencement speech to Liberty University. We'll also get their reaction to President Obama's comments on same-sex marriage.

Sunday at 9 a.m. & NOON ET.

Another jam-packed show this week. Leading off, the now-former Republican presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich talked to Candy about his victorious opponent, Mitt Romney and how he plans to help him in his general election campaign. He also discussed Tuesday's Indiana GOP Senate primary. Former Republican Virginia Congressman, Tom Davis and Ohio’s former governor, Democrat Ted Strickland joined Candy to discuss the politics of the crucial battleground states. Following their meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Candy talked to Rep. Mike Rogers and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the heads of the House and Senate Intelligence committees about the challenges the United States still faces in Afghanistan. Finally, National Journal correspondent Major Garrett and economists Alice Rivlin and Douglas Holtz-Eakin dissected the April unemployment numbers and their impact on the 2012 campaign.

FULL POST

Former Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich says the Tea Party doesn't have "the passion they had in 2010"

Only one candidate can win a presidential primary. The others follow a tried and true outline of the exit speech. We break it down on the Campaign Trail.

Economists Douglas Hotlz-Eakin, Alice Rivlin and National Journal congressional correspondent Major Garrett weigh on how the economy will affect the 2012 race.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Mike Rogers weigh in on the future of Afghanistan as Afghan troops prepare to take the lead.

Former Virginia Rep. Tom Davis and former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland discuss the election year battle over Ohio and Virginia.

Former Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich says Mitt Romney has "earned the right to represent the Republican Party."

Good Sunday morning. The staff is (mostly) in and we're preparing for today's program. Prepare along with us – read what we're reading this morning.

On our radar: the official kick-off of the general election, Newt Gingrich's withdrawal from the GOP race, the debate over U.S. policy for Afghanistan, France's runoff presidential election and plenty more.

Check out what we're reading, and be sure to watch our interviews with Gingrich, former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and former Virginia Rep. Tom Davis on the importance of their swing states; Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Mike Rogers on the way forward in Afghanistan; and economists Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Alice Rivlin (joined by the National Journal's Major Garrett) on the latest jobs numbers. State of the Union airs today at 9am/12pm ET. FULL POST