Edwards comes out with a question about nuclear power plants and Hillary zings him with his vote against the Nevada waste bill -- twice. He says it was based on the science at the time. But he got zinged.
Russert now asks Obama about a vote of his in the past. Answers and then turns to nuclear energy and discusses climate change.
Hillary bashes Bush/Cheney 2005 energy bill. It was the wrong policy bill for America and was titlted towards special interests. She talks about her proposed energy bills.
Good, we're on immigration. Edwards urges payment of fine and learning to speak English. it should be a requirement.
Clinton: Sleezy question about something her pollster said about latinos not supporting AA candidates. She says he was making a historical statement and we have to get everyone on the same page. Asks Obama about that and he says not in Illinois, Latinos voted for him.
Russert won't let Hillary talk about immigration. Obama turns to it. Says he supported Kennedy's plan and the Latinos will know they have an advocate with him.
Why didn't Russert let Hillary answer the same question -- really unfair.
Viewer puff question to Obama on how he will turn around high drop out rates of African Americans. He says Latinos have high drop out rate too and trumpets the same policies Hillary and Edwards have supported for years. Waste of five minutes since they all agree.
Now on gun deaths. Hillary is against illegal guns. Political winds are against doing anything to get guns off the streets. "I don't want Federal govt pre-empting states. We need a really good registry." Crack down on illegal gun dealers. Pass assault weapons ban. "I believe in Second Amendment" (yes!).
Obama pretty much sgrees with Hillary. He's for allowing police more access to information on gun buyers to track illegal gun sales (Not sure I like that.)
Edwards even stronger on protecting Second Amendment rights.
Once again, they're all on the same page.
Break. Question to Hillary about playing the fear card before New Hampshire. Hillary says "it's a fact." We face a bad adversary who will take advantage of us. We haven't talked as much about homeland security as we should have in this campaign. Protecting our country is our highest duty. It's a critical question.
Rooting out terrorism will be one of our biggest jobs and "I feel prepared to take that on."
Asks Obama about whether candidates are using politics of fear. He praises Clinton's work in New York. But when she uses specter of a new attack during a campaign, that's a mistake. "I don't want to perpetuate that. " Complains that money that should have been spent in Afghanistan went to Iraq.
Russert asks Hillary if she's saying terrorists might be more likely to attack us if Obama is President. She says of course not. She brings it back to experience and abilty to react -- it's not a question of provoking.
