.
October 22nd, 2012
04:36 PM ET

5 things to watch in tonight's debate

Editor's note: Watch Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer and Fareed Zakaria's special coverage of the presidential debate at 7 p.m. ET on CNN.

President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney meet Monday night in the last of their three debates, this one focused on foreign policy.

Unlike last week's contentious town hall-style debate in which the candidates ambled around the stage and parried with each other, Obama and Romney will be seated at a table with moderator Bob Schieffer, who told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram what he hopes comes out of the debate:

"People are watching to judge character. I don't think it matters what the questions are about - what matters is how candidates answer. Do they seem in control? ... I'm just there to help the viewers get a better understanding of who these people are."

Here are five things to watch tonight:

1. How much does Romney know about Libya?

Romney will undoubtedly raise a lot questions about Obama's handling of the terror attack in Libya, but there's a good chance he already has some answers.

Don't forget: Romney has been receiving briefings from the U.S. intelligence community since September 17, as is customary for a presidential challenger in the final stages of a campaign.

His first briefing came a week after the breach of the Benghazi mission left four Americans dead. His second briefing took place at the CIA, on September 27.

Read more...

soundoff (One Response)
  1. Su

    I just want to ask the president, how do you want to implement strict sanctions on Iran, when you know very well that Iraq and all its wealth and facilities have been used by Iran and through their loyal friends in the government of Iraq? And i want to ask the president what he thinks about Iraq now? is it a success story or a failure?

    October 22, 2012 at 7:25 pm |