With just 15 days to the election President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney took the stage at Boca Raton Florida's Lynn University on Monday night to discuss foreign policy (ostensibly) in the last of three debates, this one moderated by CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer.
A CBS News poll taken immediately following the debate showed that 53 percent of the more than 500 voters polled online said Mr. Obama won, 23 percent said Romney won, and 24 percent felt the debate was a tie.
ABC News analysts agreed, reporting that the debate, "appeared to be a win for President Obama but a successful effort by Romney to return the conversation to the economy." Analyst Donna Brazile commented that the President benefited from his experience dealing with foreign policy issues, which were challenging for Romney.
As far as tone, "The debate produced none of the finger-pointing and little of the interrupting that marked the presidential rivals' debate last week," The New York Times reported. Nevertheless, the paper added, "The two men frequently sniped at one another even on issues where they agree."
Here's what they agreed on: strong support of Israel, especially in the event of an attack by Iran. They also agreed that the U.S. military should not become involved in the war in Syria.
Romney commended President Obama for sending 33,000 troops into Afghanistan two years into his term, for his plan to get U.S. troops out of Afghanistan and for taking out Al Quaeda leader Osama bin Laden, although he added, "We can't kill our way out of this...we must have a comprehensive strategy."
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