From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

In Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearing, what have we learned about new directions in Obama administration foreign policy?

I'm Lawrence O'Donnell, sitting in for Warren Allney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International, a daily look at the issues Americans care about most. Today, Senator Hillary Clinton appeared before her colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as Barack Obama's nominee to be Secretary of State. Why did Obama choose a former political rival to fill the most important post in his cabinet?

Is she the right choice at the right time?

Today, on To the Point, what have we learned in Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearing?

How will she influence the Obama approach to the crisis in Gaza and other problems around the world?

On reporter's notebook later on, the Detroit Auto Show is one gloomy party.

First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio

International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John

D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation.

I'm Lawrence O'Donnell, sitting in for Warren, all knee back with To the Point from PRI.

Finally freed from the politics of holding a New York Senate seat and running for president,

how will Hillary Clinton's foreign policy views change now that she is on the verge of Senate confirmation as Secretary of State?

Coming up, we'll talk about Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearing today

and what we've learned about how she will influence Obama administration foreign policy.

On reporter's notebook, automakers show off new models, but will anyone buy them?

First, this news update.

President-elect Barack Obama meets with Senate Democrats today to push for high-speed approval of his huge economic stimulus proposal.

Congressional Democrats are already wrangling with the Obama administration and Republicans over the final size and shape of the package.

Joining us now to discuss the stimulus negotiations is Lori Montgomery,

who's been covering this today on Capitol Hill for the Washington Post.

...