Obama to Use Summit to Push Nations Toward Tying Up Loose Nukes
As world leaders descend on Washington today, "Washington Unplugged" previewed this week's Nuclear Security Summit. Host Sharyl Attkisson spoke with CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Chip Reid about what President Obama hopes to accomplish this week. The timing of this summit follows last week's signing of new START treaty with Russia and the announcement of a new U.S. policy about the use of nuclear weapons -- moves which could be seen as major victories for the president, but also were roundly criticized by some Republicans.
"Obama called loose nukes the 'single number one threat to American security,"'said Reid.
At the summit, the U.S. will look to pressure other nations to tie up their loose nukes, and keep tabs on the nuclear material within their countries, while also encouraging a general disarmament. But Reid said many nations may be reluctant to slow down or drop altogether their nuclear programs.
"For many countries, like India and Pakistan, their nuclear programs are on the rise, not on the downtrend," said Reid, "And they don't want an international body telling them what they can or can't do."
Unplugged on Monday also featured another edition of "2010 Unplugged," previewing the crucial November election races locally and nationally across the country. CBS News Chief Political consultant Marc Ambinder broke down the gubernatorial race between eBay founder Meg Whitman and state Attorney General and former Governor Jerry Brown, known affectionately as "Governor Moonbeam" for his support of a California space program in the late 1970s. Ambinder also spoke about the Arkansas Democratic Senate Primary race between embattled incumbent Blanche Lincoln and Lt. Governor Bill Halter.
Also on Unplugged, CBSNews.com's Brian Montopoli talked about this weekend's Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans , and the star of the conference, Sarah Palin. Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who was a no-show for the SRLC, won a by only one vote over former candidate Ron Paul.
Watch the full show above.
"Washington Unplugged" appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Click