Edwards: Bigger picture is what do we do over the long-haul? It takes him forever to say he'll lead a long-term international mission to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

Richardson: In any foreign policy situation, I would use diplomacy first. With Pakistan, we must have principled realism. Bush policy is worst of both worlds. Musharraf hasn't gone after Osama and has abandoned the Constitution. I'd send a high level envoy to ask him to step aside. There's a provision in the Pakistani Constitution for a caretaker government.

Gibson: Should we go in to Pakistan and take him out? Richardson again: If we have real, actionable intelligence, yes. But first we use diplomacy. And use free elections.

Hillary: Five things: 1. Osama has regrouped because we didn't put enough troops in Afghanistan when we could. We need more NATO troops in Afghanistan. 2. Any actionable intelligence must be given the most careful consideration. And we have to be careful not to ignite the region. Mentions India. 3. The technology right now is considered secure, but we can't know for sure. I would try to get Musharraf to share responsibility for security of the technology. 5. Bush blew it in Afghanistan.

Richardson: We have to be on the side of the Pakistani gov't, not the dictator.

Obama: Says we're forgetting Iraq. (That wasn't the question. I bet he now reminds us for the 4 millionth time that he opposed it from the beginning. Good for him, he didn't.)

Gibson asks about a nuclear attack on an American city. He's afraid there will be one the next ten years. He asks, the day after it happens, what will you say we should have done to prevent it? Edwards: We have to find out who did it and go after them so they don't do it again. The President mus react srongly but in a way that is calming for the American people and the world.

Obama says he's already been working on this. We'd have to retaliate. Gibson says Hillary has been working on it too and asks her the same question. She says we have to be clear there can be no safe haven. We have to send the message there will be heavy retaliation. She criticizes Bush on our port security. Richardson agrees.

Now moves to the economy. Another ABC promo clip to set the stage for the question.

Gibson asks about change instead. Asks Hillary what unanswered questions there are about Obama. She says we're all for change. I don't think you make change by asking for it, it's the result of hard work and saying what your goals and principles are and how you will bring it about.

There is a lot room to ask all of us questions. Obama can have a good debate with himself -- she lists his switches of positions on health care plans. We need a president we can count on to know where he or she stands on the issues. Obama responds he has been consistent on health care. He says he has a philosophical difference with her and Edwards. He wouldn't penalize people who can't get insurance. He disagrees people won't buy it if we make it affordable.

Hillary: Says Obama does have a mandate for kids. So he's stopped short of going the distance. Two weeks ago he criticized Edwards for changing positions 4 years ago and saying he was unelectable. She says Obama changed his positions in last 3 years. She gives examples: Obama said he would vote against Patriot Act and funding for war and then voted for Patriot Act and for funding Iraq war.

Obama tries to explain his kids' health care again. He brings up his win in Iowa. Edwards defends Obama. Now he Attacks Hillary. Says he and Obama have differences but both are for change. When they advocate for change, forces for the status quo (i.e. Hillary) attack, every single time -- like Hillary just did saying Obama debates with himself. Hillary comes out swinging talking about the change she's effected in the past 35 years. Health care for kids in New Hampshire, medical insurance for National Guard. She's been making change for 35 years, she doesn't just promise it, she's delivered it.

Richardson: I've been in hostage situations less hostile than this. Let's stay positive. What's wrong with experience? He agrees with Hillary. Touts his own experience.

(Point goes to Hillary and Richardson in my view. )

On to Iraq: Did the surge work? Hillary says no. There hasn't been a willingness by the Iraqi Government to act. There is no reason for us to be there or for more of our troops to die if they won't take care of their responsibilities. She'll start withdrawal within 60 days of becoming President.

Richardson: There is no military solution or progress. I'd bring our troops home within a year with no residual troops.

Obama: (here he reminds us he opposed the war from the start. I knew he'd get that in.) Phased re-deployment. No details, no specifics, no timetable. No plan.

New question about timed withdrawal. Edwards: purpose of surge was not fulfilled. There's been no political progress. We have to stop propping up the sunnis and shias with American troops. In first year, he will bring 40-50k troops home. Within 9 to 10 months, all combat troops will be out, unless his advisors say more time is needed. We have to end occupation. No permanent military bases.

Each to get 30 seconds:

Richardson. We have to get out. I'll bring them home within 12 months. We need to think of our vets coming back with PTSD and mental anguish. We have a crisis.

Clinton: We agree, we have to get troops out and end Bush's blank check to the Iraqi gov't. We have to figure out what we'll do with the civilians and the Iraqis, like translators, who helped us. It's complicated.

Break, then part two.

My thoughts to far: Obama is too professorial and academic. Edwards is overplaying the attack card. Hillary is being critical of Obama which doesn't go over too well, but she's very good when she defends her own record. Richardson is plain-speaking and makes sense.

Obama is aligned with Edwards and Richardson is aligned with Hillary. It seems like Obama hasn't gotten a lot of time but that may be because he hasn't used his time well. The only thing he was strong on was defending his health care plan. The rest was generalities and there's no sense that he does have a track record.

Part Two: the Like-ability factor. Asks Hillary how she feels about being considered less likable than Obama. She says it hurts her feelings. Obama says she's likeable. She says she appreciates him saying that.

She says she thinks it is important to be ready to lead on day one. She embodies change. She has 35 years of working for it. Having the first woman presdent is huge change. She's made change for years.

Obama: Any of us would be a welcome change from George Bush. But people are hungry for a different type of politics. They want to be let back into their government. Gives an example of databases, I don't get it.

Obama dismisses Republican attacks on him as being too liberal. He's betting there are Republicans and Independents who think no one is listening to them and will come out and join a working coalition for change. Hillary, Richardson and Edwards have done some good things. But we need a working majority for change (code for working with Republicans) to effect health care and other change.

Richardson: Executive experience is important. He has it. Next president must have foreign policy experience. He's the only one with it. He's been tested.

Edwards goes on against corporate interests. Obama joins in. Hillary asks for a reality check. Obama's New Hampshire campaign head is a lobbyist. She is an agent for change, based on what she's done the past 35 years. She's taken on the drug companies, etc. Words aren't change. Actions are change.

Moderator makes mistake of saying he was in D.C. and President Clinton promised change too. Hillary responds with all the economic changes President Clinton made from raising taxes on corporations and wealthy to going from a deficit to a balanced budget. "If you don't think that's change, then you have amnesia."

Obama: It's easy to be cynical. Presidents throughout history have inspired...people are hungry for difference and big change...I give Bill Clinton enormous credit for balancing budget...but we didn't build a majority (code word, coalition with Republicans)...words help bring change. Don't discount power of words.

Richardson criticizes the others' bickering. Tells Edwards it's great for it to be personal for him but he's alienating everyone. We have to do coalition building. (He and Obama are saying the same thing but Richardson is concrete, while Obama is lofty words.)

Edwards: You can't nice these people to death. It doesn't work. You have to take them on.

On to global warming... I'm going to correct the typos and read the comments. Back later.