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

Brinksmanship and the blame game.

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.

Before anyone knew for sure there would be a government shutdown at midnight tonight,

Democrats and Republicans were blaming each other.

At least in public, there was more talk about political fallout than there was about making a deal

with polls showing Republicans faring the worst.

Meantime, the crisis atmosphere has given ideological groups and potential candidates a great

chance to raise money from ardent supporters.

With a few hours remaining, we'll look at the options for a possible settlement and at the

likely consequences of halting many federal services.

Today's talking point, Iran's president goes home to cheers and some jeers. First, here's the news.

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Program Fund. Hello again, Warren Alney, back with To the Point.

As the talk ticks toward midnight tonight, the clock ticks toward midnight tonight, the public

debate between Democrats and Republicans has been more about politics than avoiding a partial

shutdown of government services. We'll look at the potential settlement options and at where

the pain of a shutdown would be felt most.

Today's talking point, just as President Obama has taken both praise and heat for trying diplomacy with Iran,

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