On To the Point, we try to make sense of the policy debates and the political sideshows on the campaign trail.

Neither party's agenda really aligns with who its coalition is today.

It was the dumbest speech I have ever seen in my life of covering politics.

When people walk into a voting booth, at the end of the day, they do say,

I really should vote for someone smarter than me.

I'm Warren Alney. To the Point has you covered for the 2016 campaign. Find the To the Point

podcast on KCRW's iTunes page. From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International,

this is To the Point.

Truth, promises, and public opinion.

Hello again, I'm Armin Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues Americans cut about most.

Nine candidates made it to prime time last night in Las Vegas, chosen again by their standing in public opinion polls.

Donald Trump made the biggest news saying he loves the GOP after all and promising not to stage a third-party rebellion.

The theme was national security and all nine played variations on the anger of the conservative base and the fear caused by attacks on Paris in San Bernardino. Fact checkers are working overtime and debate continues over the polls. Do they

reflect public opinion or do they shape it? Today's talking point, an extreme experiment in public

housing. First, here's the news.

Listen to KCRW's 24-hour all-news channel, stream BBC World Service, NPRW and KCRW programs,

continuous coverage on our mobile app or online at KCRW.com.

Support for To the Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

Hello again, Warren. I'll be back with To The Point. With just six weeks left until the Iowa caucuses,

there were still nine Republican presidential candidates in last night's debate in Las Vegas.

According to public opinion polls, it was Donald Trump and eight others.

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