Debate:

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)
Chairman, Banking Committee

Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL)
Ranking Member, Banking Committee

Set up:

Financial Reform: Democrats are hoping to start debate in the Senate next week on sweeping legislation that would overhaul the nation’s financial regulatory system. Can Democrats and Republicans reach an agreement and avoid the partisan fighting that divided the health care debate? What parts of the bill are up for discussion? And what issues are non-negotiable? We’ll get answers in an exclusive debate: the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) & Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL).

Roundtable:

David Brooks
Columnist, New York Times

Erin Burnett
Anchor, CNBC’s “Street Signs”
Co-Anchor, CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street”

Michele Norris
Host, NPR’s “All Things Considered”

Evan Thomas
Editor at Large, Newsweek

Set up:

As Goldman Sachs executives prepare to testify before Congress next week, is there any proof the fraud charges filed against the firm were politically motivated? Will the administration’s plan for financial reform really prevent future bailouts and provide adequate consumer protection? What is the most likely outcome of the regulatory fight on Capitol Hill? And how will President Obama’s popularity and the current political climate in Washington impact the 2010 midterm elections?

New York Times preview:

And in crucial end-game negotiations like this, lawmakers are often quick to decline discussing any specifics, noting that they would prefer not to negotiate through the media. But in a twist, aides to Mr. Dodd and Mr. Shelby said on Friday that the only scheduled meeting between the two senators would be on the set of NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning.

In and of itself, that may be the most revealing information to emerge about the state of talks on the financial regulation bill. While there are certainly outstanding disagreements about various provisions, none are so big or controversial that senators are huddled urgently in a conference room. Staff members of the banking committee are expected to meet through the weekend, and presumably Mr. Dodd and Mr. Shelby will say something about their progress on Sunday’s talk show. Or not.