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

How much will change in Washington and how much will stay the same?

Hello again, I'm Wormon Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International, a daily look at the issues.

Americans care about most. Democratic

victories are creating a host of expectations about the next Congress, especially when it comes

to Iraq. But the old Republican Congress still has work to do, not the least, the passage of

spending bills to keep the government going. On to the point, President Bush also wants

warrantless wiretaps an energy bill and nuclear technology for India.

We'll hear about his chances. We'll also look at the options for changing the course in Iraq,

including regional diplomacy with Syria and Iran. On reporter's notebook later on, in California,

Arnold Schwarzenegger bucks the Democratic Tide. How did he do it?

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.

Hello again, Mormon Allie, back with To the Point.

As the old Congress makes way for the new, President Bush says he's open to any ideas for changing the course in Iraq.

On To the Point, we'll look at the options and what might be expected from Donald Rumsfeld's replacement, Robert Gates.

What about diplomacy with Syria and Iran? On reporter's notebook, Arnold Schwarzenegger and bipartisanship in California.

First, this news update, President Bush lunched at the White House today with Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi.

They pledged mutual cooperation once again when the Democrats take over next year.

Earlier, with his cabinet standing behind him, the president outlined what he wants from the old Republican Congress when it convenes its lame duck session next week.

...