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

The Thrilla in Nassau County.

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

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

They circled

like prize fighters, pointed their fingers, and interrupted each other while ignoring the moderator

and trading accusations of lying. It was presidential campaigning as prime time political drama,

as intensely personal as any such confrontation in memory. President Obama won the early

opinion polls because of the contrast

to his performance two weeks ago, but Governor Romney held his own. We'll hear some examples and

sample a variety of opinions on the possible impact of last night's Battle of the Candidates.

On reporter's notebook later on, we'll look to the nearest star. First, here's the news.

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

Hello again, Warren Alney, back with To the Point. Last night's presidential debate turned

into a prime time political confrontation, this time including a president fully engaged

with a challenger who was also ready for action. We'll hear excerpts and contrasting assessments.

On reporter's notebook, a new planet has been discovered orbiting the car star closest to the sun.

What are the prospects for life in the Alpha

Centauri system? First, this news update. The president and the governor touched on what seemed

like dozens of issues, from contraception to immigration to the deadly attack on the Libyan

consulate. Here's an example, not of the substance, but of the tenor of last night's

confrontation.

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