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USA Votes 2012

Live Blog: The Third U.S. Presidential Debate

October 22, 2012

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney makes a point as U.S. President Barack Obama listens during the final U.S. presidential debate in Boca Raton, Florida, October 22, 2012.
U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney makes a point as U.S. President Barack Obama listens during the final U.S. presidential debate in Boca Raton, Florida, October 22, 2012.
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9:56 PM
October 22, 2012
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Thank you for joining us for the third and final U.S. presidential debate. Stay with VOA as we continue our coverage of the race for the White House.
9:48 PM
October 22, 2012
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9:46 PM
October 22, 2012
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Some instant reaction from the Twitterverse
9:40 PM
October 22, 2012
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We made a mistake in our entry about President Obama's closing statement. We wrote that he said education, when in fact he said energy. We regret this error.
9:37 PM
October 22, 2012
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Schieffer thanks the candidates and says he'll leave the audience with the words of his mom, "Go vote. It makes you feel big and strong."
9:36 PM
October 22, 2012
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Complaints have already started.
9:34 PM
October 22, 2012
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Closing Statement: Romney
 
Romney says he is optimistic about the nation's future. He says he wants to promote the principles of peace, as well as make sure the nation gets its economy going. 
 
He says he'll get the U.S. on track to a balanced budget. He says he'll get people back to work and off of food stamps. 
 
He says America's going to come back and for that to happen, the nation needs a president who can work across the aisle.
 
He says the U.S. is "the hope of the Earth."
 
He says Americans need strong leadership and that he wants to be that leader.
9:33 PM
October 22, 2012
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9:32 PM
October 22, 2012
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Closing Statement: Obama
 
He says his administration has made real progress. He says Romney wants to take the U.S. back to Bush-era policies including foreign policy that is "wrong and reckless."
 
He says he wants to make sure the U.S. has the best education, that it controls its own education. 
 
He says he wants to reduce the nation's deficit so it can invest in things like research and technology. He says after a decade of war, we need to do nation building at home, including work for veterans.
 
He promises to fight for American families and work every day to make sure America continues to be the "greatest nation on earth."
9:30 PM
October 22, 2012
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U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney makes a point as U.S. President Barack Obama listens during the final U.S. presidential debate in Boca Raton, Florida, October 22, 2012.
U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney makes a point as U.S. President Barack Obama listens during the final U.S. presidential debate in Boca Raton, Florida, October 22, 2012.
9:29 PM
October 22, 2012
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Obama says Romney was very clear that he would not provide assistance to auto manufacturers even if they went through bankruptcy. Obama says it is true that in order for the U.S. to be competitive, it will need to make some choices. 
 
But targeting Romney's plans, he says things like cutting education will not help the U.S. compete with China.
 
Obama says the U.S. cannot return to the same policies that got the U.S. into trouble in the first place.
 
Romney says he agrees the nation needs to move forward, but says he does not want to see it go back to the policies of the last four years, which he says have not worked. 
 
He says it is a tragedy that the last four years have been so hard. He says it's critical for the U.S. to be an attractive place for jobs again, and that's not going to happen by hiring more teachers.
9:27 PM
October 22, 2012
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9:26 PM
October 22, 2012
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Schieffer asks if labeling China as acurrency manipulator would start a trade war.
 
Romney says there is already a trade war, a silent one.
 
Romney says the current situation involving China's trade practices, including holding down its currency, cannot go on.
 
Obama says the U.S. absolutely has to make more progress but that currency levels are at the most advantageous for U.S. exporters than they've ever been.
 
He says his administration believes that China can be a partner but is making very clear that the U.S. is a Pacific power and will have a presence in the region.
 
Romney refutes Obama's statement that Romney would like to see more auto industry jobs overseas.

Obama interrupts Romney to say that he did not say he would provide government help to the auto companies.

Romney criticizes Obama for investing in companies pursuing energy efficiency rather than research.

 
9:21 PM
October 22, 2012
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9:19 PM
October 22, 2012
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Greatest threat to U.S. national security
 
Obama cites terrorism and then transitions to talking about China, which Schieffer outlined as the next topic of discussion.
 
Obama mentions cases in which the admnistration fought unfair Chinese trading practices.
 
Romney says the greatest national security threat is a nuclear Iran.
 
Romney says the U.S. can be a partner with China if they're willing to be responsible.
 
But he says China is looking to see if America is going to be strong. He says a Romney administration would also make sure the U.S.-China trade relationship "works for us."

He repeats that he would declare China a "currency manipulator" from day one.
9:17 PM
October 22, 2012
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U.S. President Barack Obama speaks as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney listens during the final U.S. presidential debate in Boca Raton, Florida, October 22, 2012.
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney listens during the final U.S. presidential debate in Boca Raton, Florida, October 22, 2012.
9:16 PM
October 22, 2012
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9:15 PM
October 22, 2012
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Obama says his administration's strategy was not just going after bin Laden and that it has created partnerships across the region to battle terrorism.
 
He said the plan has included supporting reforms in those nations, such as support for women's rights.
 
Obama says the U.S. stood on the side of democracy and the people in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.
9:13 PM
October 22, 2012
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Pakistan
 
Schieffer points out that General Allen said Americans continue to die at hands of people supported by Pakistan, yet we continue to give Pakistan billions of dollars.
 
Schieffer asks if it is time for the U.S. to divorce itself from Pakistan. 
 
Romney says no. He says Pakistan is technically an ally, though it's not acting like an ally right now. He says he does not blame the Obama administration for the fact that the relationship is strained. He says the U.S. has to help Pakistan move to a more responsible course.
 
Romney says it's important for the U.S. to realize it can't just walk away from Pakistan.
 
Romney says the U.S. is going to have to have a far more effective and comprehensive strategy to move the world away from terrorism and Islamic extremism.
 
Romney says the U.S. has not seen the progress it needs to have.
9:11 PM
October 22, 2012
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It sounds to some that Schieffer accidentally called the former al-Qaida leader "Obama bin Laden".
9:09 PM
October 22, 2012
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Obama says his administration ended the war in Iraq and focused attention on Afghanistan. 
 
He says the U.S. is now in a position where it has met many of the objectives for putting U.S. troops were there in the first place
putting U.S. troops there. 
 
Obama says after a decade of war, it is time to do some nation-building at home. He says the country needs to make sure it takes care of its veterans, including in terms of health care and jobs.
9:09 PM
October 22, 2012
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9:08 PM
October 22, 2012
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9:07 PM
October 22, 2012
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Afghanistan
 
Schieffer asks the candidates what they would do if the 2014 deadline arrives and it is obvious the Afghans are not able to handle their own security.
 
Romney says the U.S. will be finished by 2014, and as president he will make sure U.S. troops are out by 2014.
 
Romney says the U.S. will be able to make that transition.
 
He says his administration would also looks at what's happening in Pakistan, knowing it will have a major effect on Afghanistan. Romney says Pakistan is important to the region and the world. He says a Pakistan that falls apart and becomes a failed state would be extremely dangerous.
 
9:03 PM
October 22, 2012
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Romney says he looks around the world at places such as Syria, China, North Korea and sees the U.S. influence receding rather than growing.
 
Romney says that is in part because of the "turmoil with Israel."
 
Obama looks directly at Romney as he tells him that on many issues, including Iraq and Iran, he's been "all over the map."
 
Obama says that when it comes to going after bin Laden, Romney now says any president would make that call, but that when asked about it previously, he said "we shouldn't move heaven and earth" to get one man.
 
Obama brings up story of a little girl who lost her father in the World Trade Center attacks and that she said the death of bin Laden brought her closure.
9:03 PM
October 22, 2012
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Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney answers a question as President Barack Obama listens during the third presidential debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, October 22, 2012.
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney answers a question as President Barack Obama listens during the third presidential debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, October 22, 2012.
9:00 PM
October 22, 2012
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Romney criticizes several of Obama's actions that he says led Iranian leaders to perceive U.S. weakness and think they could keep dodging real negotiations.
 
Obama says everything Romney said is not true. He says his administration has helped put in place the toughest sanctions ever on Iran, pointing out that Romney has invested in a Chinese company doing business with Iran.
 
Obama says Iran is at its weakest point economically, strategically and militarily than it has been in years.
 
Romney says the world is "four years closer" to a nuclear Iran.
 
He says he called Obama's trip to the Middle East an "apology tour" because Obama put down the U.S. when he visited various countries, that notably did not include Israel.
 
Obama hits back at Romney, saying the central point is who is going to be credible, points out that he has supported such things as women's rights, religious minorities, and that people looking at his record can say the president of the U.S. has stood on the right side of history.
8:57 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:56 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:54 PM
October 22, 2012
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Obama says the U.S. has to make sure all countries are participating in imposing sanctions on Iran, even Russia and China.
 
Obama says the "clock is ticking on Iran." He says the U.S. is not going to allow Iran to continue to engage in negotiations that lead nowhere, adding the  "clock is ticking" on Tehran. 
 
Obama says if Iran does not meet the demands of the international community, the U.S. will take all options to make sure it does not get a nuclear weapon.
8:51 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:50 PM
October 22, 2012
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Romney says he would show Israel the U.S. has its back militarily. He says it's good that the U.S. has crippling sanctions against Iran but that he would have put them into place earlier.
 
He says he would tighten the sanctions further.
 
He says of course military action is a last resort and would only be considered if all other efforts have been exhausted first.
8:48 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:48 PM
October 22, 2012
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Israel and Iran

Schieffer asks whether either candidate would be willing to declare that an attack on Israel is an attack on the United States.
 
Obama says Israel is a true friend, and America's "greatest ally in the region."
 
He says he will stand with Israel if they are attacked. He adds that this week, the U.S. will be carrying out the largest military exercise with Israel.
 
He says his administration has helped organized the strongest coalition and strongest sanctions against Iran and that Iran's economy is now in shambles.
 
Obama calls a nuclear Iran a threat to U.S. national security and Israeli national security.
 
Obama says the work that the U.S. has done with respect to sanctions offers Iran a choice: they can take the diplomatic route and end its nuclear program or face a U.S. president that says it will not take any options off the table.
 
But Obama says military action should be a last resort not a first resort.
8:46 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:44 PM
October 22, 2012
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Obama criticizes Romney's plan, saying the former Massachusetts governor has called for $5 trillion in tax cuts that and $2 million more on military spending the military is not asking for.
 
Obama says the math simply doesn't work.
 
Obama says his budget is driven by strategy and what the nation needs to keep Americans safe, not politics.
 
He says the U.S. needs to make sure its economy is strong at home so it can project military power overseas.
 
Romney touts his Massachusetts record, saying he was able to balance the state's budget.
 
He accuses Obama of seeking to cut military spending by $1 trillion.
 
Obama says he doesn't think Romney understands how the military works. He says the question is not a "game of battleship, where we're counting a ships," but a question of capability. He says Romney's strategy "doesn't work."
8:43 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:40 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:39 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:39 PM
October 22, 2012
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Obama challenges Romney on his stated support for small businesses. He says Romney's policies don't help small businesses.
 
Obama says under his leadership, the U.S. has reformed education and that what he now wants to do is hire more teachers, especially in math and science, where Americans know they have fallen behind.

Obama says Romney's idea of not changing tax rates for the highest earners and cutting spending on education is "not good" for America's position in the world.

Schieffer tries to get the candidates back to the topic of foreign policy, which is supposed to be the focus of this debate.
 
Romney overrides Schieffer's attempt to continue to talk education and his own record in Massachusetts.
 
Schieffer asks him where he's going to get the money. Romney invites Schieffer to look at his website to see how they'll get the nation to a balanced budget. Says Romney will get rid of Obama's health care plan first.
8:35 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:34 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:33 PM
October 22, 2012
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What is America's role in the world?
 
Romney says America has the responsibility and privilege of helping defend freedom and make the world more peaceful.
 
Romney says in order to be able to fulfill its role in the world, America must be strong and must lead, and for that to happen, it has to strengthen its economy and its military. 
 
Romney says the nation has to make decisions based upon uncertainty, pointing out that in the 2000 debates terrorism was never mentioned but in 2001 the September 11 attacks happened.

Obama says America remains the one "indispensable nation" and says the nation is stronger now than it was when he took office.
 
Obama says the nation's alliances have never been stronger, in Asia, in Africa, in Europe.
 
Obama outlines plans to reposition the U.S. in the world including with investments in energy.
8:32 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:29 PM
October 22, 2012
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Egypt

Schieffer asks Obama whether he has regrets about the timing of his saying it was time for Egypt's former President Mubarak to go.
 
Obama says he has no regrets and outlines a number of U.S. interests regarding Egypt, including that Egypt abide by its treaty with Israel.
 
Obama says Egyptian aspirations are similar to those of young people here, including jobs.
 
Obama says for America to be successful in the Middle East, there are things the U.S. has to do at home.
 
Romney says he would not have done anything differently regarding Mubarak. He says he agreed with the president's decision, but that he wishes the U.S. would have worked more with its friends  so the situation would not have exploded as it did.

Romney says the U.S. purpose is to make sure the world is more peaceful, but for the U.S. to promote those principles of peace, it has to be strong. Points out the current state of the economy does not make the nation strong.
 
Romney says the U.S. needs to have a strong economy, strong military and strong allies. But he says the U.S. also needs to stand by its principles, but that it's gotten weaker in all four of those areas.
8:26 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:24 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:24 PM
October 22, 2012
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Romney says the U.S. has to make sure it has the relationships and friendship with the people who take over after Assad leaves power.
 
Romney says the U.S. should be playing the leadership role in Syria.
 
Obama says the U.S. is already playing the leadership role, and ensuring it has friends in Syria over the long-term.
 
Obama raises the issue of Libya and says when it came time to make sure Gadhafi did not stay in power, Romney said this was "mission muddle."
 
But Obama said the U.S. had to finish the job.
 
Romney says he doesn't think there is a necessity to put U.S. military in Syria but that U.S. objectives are to replace Assad and make sure those fighting against Assad "get armed."

Romney says the U.S. with partners in the region has sufficient resources to support those groups. He says the U.S. can help the groups come together.
 
Obama says Romney does not have different ideas, because the U.S. is doing what it should be doing to promote a moderate Syrian leadership and get Assad out.
 

 
8:22 PM
October 22, 2012
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President Barack Obama speaks as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and moderator Bob Schieffer listen during the third presidential debate at Lynn University, October 22, 2012, in Boca Raton, Flordia.
President Barack Obama speaks as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and moderator Bob Schieffer listen during the third presidential debate at Lynn University, October 22, 2012, in Boca Raton, Flordia.
8:21 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:20 PM
October 22, 2012
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Syria

Obama says his administration has ultimately Syrians are going to have to determine their own future. Says everything they have done is in partnership with other nations in region, including Israel.
 
Obama says what we're seeing in Syria is "heartbreaking," but for U.S. to get more entangled militarily is a "serious step."
 
Obama says he is confident that Assad's days are numbered.
 
Romney says Syria is playing an important role because of its links to other countries in the region. Romney says the U.S. does not want to get drawn into a military conflict in Syria.
 
He said the U.S. needs to organize forces in Syria that can take the lead in Syria and make sure they have the arms necessary to defend themselves.
 
Romney says U.S. has to make sure arms don't get into the wrong hands, and that there is an effective leadership in Syria.
8:18 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:16 PM
October 22, 2012
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Romney says he doesn't agree with Obama's statements, says "attacking me is not an agenda."
 
Romney says Russia is a "geopolitical foe" and Iran is the "greatest national security threat" the U.S. faces.
 
Romney says he's not going to wear "rose-colored glasses" with regard to President Vladimir Putin.
 
Romney says he concurred with having a status of forces agreement in Iraq.

Obama disputes Romney's statement, saying just a few weeks ago, Romney said U.S. should still have troops in Iraq and "that is not a recipe" for success in the Middle East.
 
Obama says the U.S. needs to recognize it must also do nation-building at home. 
8:15 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:14 PM
October 22, 2012
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President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney greet one another as moderator Bob Schieffer watches at the start of the third presidential debate at Lynn University, October 22, 2012.
President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney greet one another as moderator Bob Schieffer watches at the start of the third presidential debate at Lynn University, October 22, 2012.
8:13 PM
October 22, 2012
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Romney says the key nation needs to pursue is to get Muslim world to reject extremism on its own. Says we don't want another Iraq or Afghanistan.
 
Romney says U.S. has to help Middle Eastern nations create civil societies. Romney says as we've watched chaos occur in Middle East, we've seen al-Qaida and other terrorists rush in. Romney says we've got "real problems" in the region."
 
Obama says he is happy that Romney acknowledges al-Qaida, but challenges him, saying Romney previously said Russia was the biggest threat.
 
Obama says every time Romney has offered an opinion, including on troops in Iraq, nuclear treaties with Russia, and developing a timeline on Afghanistan, he's been wrong.
 
Obama says the U.S. needs "strong, steady leadership" on the Middle East not "wrong, reckless leadership."
8:11 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:09 PM
October 22, 2012
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Libya and the Benghazi attack
 
Schieffer addresses Romney first, says Romney said it is an example of an American policy on Middle East that is "unraveling before our eyes." Asks both candidates to address this.
 
Romney says with the Arab Spring came a great deal of hope that there would be a change in the region toward moderation, but instead he says we've seen in nation after nation a "number of disturbing events," including in Syria, Libya.
 
Romney calls Iran "the greatest threat of all," saying it is four years closer to a nuclear weapon.
 
Romney congratulates Obama on the killing of bin Laden, but says "we can't kill our way" out of this, says nation has to have a comprehensive strategy.
 
Obama answers next. Says his main job as commander in chief is to keep nation safe.

Obama says al-Qaida's core leadership has been decimated, discusses turning over security responsibility to Afghan forces.
 
On Libya, Obama says it's important to step back and think about what happened. Says despite this tragedy in Benghazi, after the attack, thousands of Libyans marched and said "America is our friends."
 
He says Romney's strategy is not designed to keep Americans safe or build on progress made in Middle East.
8:04 PM
October 22, 2012
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Schieffer announces first segment: challenges of a changing Middle East and new face of terrorism.
8:03 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:03 PM
October 22, 2012
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Let the debate begin. Schieffer welcomes Obama and Romney to their final showdown of the 2012 election season.
 
The two candidates enter, shake hands, wave to the audience and take a seat across from Schieffer.
8:03 PM
October 22, 2012
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8:02 PM
October 22, 2012
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Moderator Bob Schieffer enters debate hall, thanks the audience as well as the candidates wives. Schieffer says debates have become such an important part of election process in this country. He says the audience has to be "quiet as mice" because "we want a debate that is worthy of the presidency of the greatest country in the world."
7:56 PM
October 22, 2012
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7:43 PM
October 22, 2012
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7:42 PM
October 22, 2012
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U.S. President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, are just minutes away from their third and final debate. The 90-minute debate, focused on foreign policy, is being held in the closely-contested southern state of Florida.

The debate comes as public opinion surveys show Romney has cut sharply into the president's perceived advantage on foreign affairs. Romney has pointedly criticized the White House's changing explanations about the September 11 raid on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya that killed four U.S. diplomats. 

In addition to the Benghazi attack, the candidates are expected to discuss the 2011 raid in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden, China's role in the world economy, Obama's plan to end American military involvement in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan by late 2014, the deadly conflict in Syria, rising tensions between Israel and Iran over Tehran's nuclear development program.

Moderating the debate will be Bob Schieffer of CBS News.
7:32 PM
October 22, 2012
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7:32 PM
October 22, 2012
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Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., left, waves as he rides in a golf cart after giving an interview in front of the debate hall ahead of the presidential debate between Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack O
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., left, waves as he rides in a golf cart after giving an interview in front of the debate hall ahead of the presidential debate between Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack O
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Comments
     
by: Sarah from: London
October 23, 2012 11:23 AM
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“Tough on China? Pervading silence surrounding Tibet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30FrcGN_XkQ”

by: Gary from: Ohio
October 23, 2012 1:30 AM
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I am a supporter for Romney. In this troubled economy we need a strong business man with successful track record. That being said I think he will have a hard time winning against an immoral president that supports everything immoral going on in the country mainly supporting murdering babies because of actions of unresponsible people and supporting gay marraige which completely adds to the rot and decay of this country by blurring the line of what should be a normal , moral and strong family consisting of a loving and God respecting Father and Mother.

by: Melissa Trimble from: Kentucky
October 22, 2012 10:29 PM
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I believe more everyday that Romney is the better way to go for a better economy .

by: Raman from: NY
October 22, 2012 10:15 PM
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Obama is lying. He did apologize to the world about America. His alleged involvement in foreign countreis resulted in a 14 yr old being shot in Pakistan. Omimbo just doest not get it. The guy is clueless. Not fit to be a leader.

by: Jared from: NJ
October 22, 2012 9:41 PM
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Check out http://ufeud.com/debate.aspx?ID=769 Debate in real time alongside the candidates. First time ever on the internet in this format.

by: M Cav from: Texas
October 22, 2012 9:40 PM
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Why as Romney not drafted during Vietnam? Was he deferred for being a Mormon missionary in France for 30 months? He has five sons. I am not aware of any of them volunteering to serve in the U.S. military. Why? He talks strong military, but his family expects the rest of us to do the bleeding for them.

by: Tommy the Brit from: UK
October 22, 2012 9:30 PM
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The key here is image, not the issues. The US electorate, by and large, do not care two hoots what goes on outside of the continental United States (they mostly don’t care about Hawaii or Alaska either). The questions are Bob Schieffer’s, not shared with campaigns or aides, and it is the 90 minutes of the debate that will burn into the television audience’s minds who they should elect to be the next President of the United States.

(That said - the issues still matter: http://goo.gl/MrcgY)

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