i spoke to bernie sanders of vermont about the debate performance and started by showing some confusing statements from the president. listen to this. >> governor romney and i both agree our cooperate tax rate is too high. we both agree we've got to boost american energy production and it appears we've got some agreement that a marketplace to work has to have some regulation. i suspect that on social security we've got a somewhat similar position. >> you understand what he was trying do there? >> yeah, i do. >> i got a bit confused. >> i think you're right, wolf. and i think that is a disastrous approach. the truth of the matter is mitt romney right now is the head of a right-wing extremist party called the republican party. it wasn't always the case. that's what they are today. if the president cannot differentiate himself clearly from right-wing extremism, we've got a lot of problems as a nation and he's got problems as a candidate running for re-election. in terms of social security, it is absurd for the president to say that he and romney are coming down in the same way. social secu

joining us senator bernie sanders of vermont. he caucuses with the democrats. senator, first of all, congratulations on your re-election. thanks for coming in. republicans say, you know what, they'll be flexible, but the democrats have to be flexible, too, especially when it comes to entitlement spending. medicare, medicaid and even reform. are you open to any of that? >> when republicans talk about being flexible, we have not heard one definitive word to what they mean. second of all, our republican friends look up and understand that this issue of the fiscal cliff was debated during the election and, you know what, mitt romney lost. obama won. the american people are very clear. that at a time when the middle class is disappearing and the people on top are doing phenomenally well and as warren buffett mind us, their effective tax rate is quite low. the wealthy are going to have to start paying their fair share of taxes. and i am happy to report to you what you already know. is that more and more republicans are catching on to that fact. >> but the republicans

. >> bernie sanders sits on the senate committee that oversees the nrc. he is worried as an older generation of america's reactors comes up for renewal. >> they have always extended when companies have come in and said we would like an extension. i believe over 60 -- in over 60 instances they granted every one, and that's a problem. that's a problem. >> we wanted to talk to the nrc. over a six-week period, we repeatedly requested an interview at any time or day of their choice. but we were told they were overbooked. so we decided to show up anyway and see if we could get some answers. a spokesman came outside soon after we arrived. you haven't -- >> you received the agency's response via our director of public affairs. >> yes. >> that's the answer for the agency. >> so no one is going to talk to us? >> no. >> i actually have the exact quote here on your site. it says that the nrc is devoted to open government, open accountable, accessible. >> yes, all of our information is available on our website. >> but you guys are accessible to the public, how come yo

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including bernie sanders. >> i agree, that's not the most urgent matter. medicare is more urgent, something that needs to be addressed, the president has said it. republicans have said it as well. it is a question of how you do it, and do you do it in a way that preserves the program and protects beneficiaries. i think there are discussions to be had around that. obviously the discussion about what we do on the tax side, which is essentially getting a balanced package. >> the key issue seems to me involving marginal tax rates for the top 2%, right? right now, 35%. does it go up to 39.6%, where it was during the clinton administration, 37%. boehner says you know what, you can raise tax revenues by eliminating or capping loopholes or deductions. do it like that. the president awhile ago, about a year and a half ago said this. >> what we said was give us 1.2 trillion in additional revenues, which could be accomplished without hiking taxes, tax rates, but could simply be accomplished by eliminating loopholes, eliminating some deductions, and engaging in a tax

and the independent senator from vermont, senator bernie sanders is joining us now. senator, thanks very much for coming in. >> my pleasure. >> you are a very blunt guy and always tell us what's on your mind. how do you think the president did in the debate last night? >> poorly. no question about it. i think he was listless, but clearly while romney won from a performance point of view, from a policy point of view and honesty point of view, romney was a failure, as well. >> senator, so much is being made about the performance last night and his initial reaction today. what do you think was the problem with president obama last night? was it a problem of preparation or do you think he's off his game? >> well, kate, let me just say this. i think these guys are not auditioning for the "american idol." they're not singers, we're not electing great singers and act aers. we are electing people who presumably a going to give us policy to protect the middle class and working families of this country. if you look at the policies that romney is talking about, first of all, th

. >> on the other side, senator bernie sanders wants to break up these banks because it's too big to fail and it's too dangerous. j.p. morgan chase, jamie dimon, they were the gold standard -- i hate to use that pun. the gold standard. >> they were. >> especially jamie dimon whose reputation is sterling, by all accounts, brilliant guy and for this to happen on his watch must be such a humiliation. >> as you saw today he was quite critical of his company, calling it sloppy and he's been quite outspoken against some of these regulations saying they would strangle the banking industry, but i think he's going to be under the spotlight. you know who else will be under the spotlight? all of the regulators. the securities and exchange commission and the fed because these are the people who are supposed to be watching the banks so they'll be under the spotlight, as well. >> as ali said, nobody wants a repeat of what happened. >> you heard part of the new york times saying the securities and exchange commission. the sec has launched a federal investigation. >> right, they're going to be watch