Brit Hume goes with a scenario right out of “24.”

McCain is asked about getting info out of prisoners. Says if he were sure they had the info, he would let appropriate measures be taken and he as president take responsibility. But we don’t torture people. It’s not about the terrorists, it’s about us as a nation. We have procedures in Army field manual, they’re acceptable in 99,900 cases. (I think he means 99.99 percent.)

Brit asks Rudy about Tenet’s approval of “enhanced interrogation techniques.”

Giuliani use every method they can think of. Not torture. I would support them in doing that. (Interrupted by applause.) I’ve seen what can happen when you make a mistake on that.

Romney: Need prevention. I’m glad they’re at Guantanamo, not on our soil. Some people say we ought to close it, I say we ought to double Guantanamo. In scenario you describe, use all techniques.

Brit asks Tommy Thompson about scenario, West African country with terrorist camps training terrorists. Thompson says trust but verify, then go in with all power necessary.

Brownback, prompted by Brit, says he would not go to United Nations. Which is more important, U.S. lives, or how you’re percieved in the world? I say U.S. lives.

Duncan Hunter says it would take a “one minute conversation with the Secretary of Defense. One sentence. Get the information. Have it back within an hour and let’s execute. I’ll take full responsibility.” Sounds like that should have been applause line, but got silence.

McCain says he thinks waterboarding is torture. Says those in military believe that we should not torture. If we do it, what happens to our military people when we’re captured?

Gilmore: I wouldn’t ask for permission from UN, but would ask for world support.

Huckabee: President told us we had to fly again, we had to shop again. I understand what he meant, to get our economy moving. It seemed like business as usual. It can’t be business as usual. We ask American people to join in a sacrifice like when we were attacked at Pearl Harbor.

Ron Paul, asked about economic stimulus after terrorist attack on shopping malls, says cut taxes. He’s stammering, I wonder if he’s a bit shaken from being the villain to Rudy’s hero earlier tonight.

Ah, now he’s saying we’ve forgotten about al-Qaeda. Aw, just run for the Democratic nomination.

Tancredo: Nuclear bombs go off in America, and we’re asking if waterboarding is a bad thing at that time? I’m looking for Jack Bauer at that time… When we go under, Western Civilization goes under. His best answer of the night.

Gilmore: GOP needs more outreach to minorities.

Romney: Asked when he’s made a position less popular with the base, says he used to support eliminating Department of Education, but he has seen its effectiveness in fighting the teacher’s unions. Supports No Child Less Behind, despite some conservative objections.

Duncan Hunter: Chinese currency valuation is a national security threat. Chinese military buildup is a security threat. They’ll treat us the way they treated that guy in front of the tank in Tienimin Square.

Brit Hume… wraps it up. My rwapup in a few moments.