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

Poverty and politics in an election year.

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

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Fifty years after Lyndon Johnson's war on poverty, President Obama says the defining challenge of our generation is income inequality.

Both parties claim they want action, but even extending benefits to the long-term unemployed, maybe more than the Senate and Congress can handle.

Have Democrats mismanaged an issue that could help them in November's elections?

Will Republicans take the blame anyway?

We'll hear the latest about voter sentiment and a clash of opinions on other proposals,

including a raise in the minimum wage.

Today's talking point, another issue for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie,

the possible misuse of federal money.

First, here's the news.

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Hello again, Warren. I'll only back with To the Point. From Pope Francis to President Obama to Republicans, including Paul Ryan and Rand Paul,

leaders are saying it's time to focus on income inequality.

Can Democrats and Republicans even agree on extending benefits to the long-term unemployed?

What about increasing the minimum wage?

We'll talk about those issues today.

Today's talking point,

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