This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19976820

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 15 Version 16
Obama hits back in fiery second debate with Romney Obama hits back in fiery second debate with Romney
(3 days later)
A more aggressive Barack Obama buried the memory of a poor first showing as he and Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney clashed in the second presidential debate in New York.A more aggressive Barack Obama buried the memory of a poor first showing as he and Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney clashed in the second presidential debate in New York.
Mr Obama, perceived to have lost their first encounter, came out swinging on the economy, tax and foreign policy.Mr Obama, perceived to have lost their first encounter, came out swinging on the economy, tax and foreign policy.
Snap polls after the debate suggested Mr Obama "won" the contest, although by a narrower margin than his opponent was perceived to have won the first.Snap polls after the debate suggested Mr Obama "won" the contest, although by a narrower margin than his opponent was perceived to have won the first.
But analysts say the race stays tight.But analysts say the race stays tight.
BBC North America editor Mark Mardell says Mr Obama has stopped the panic in his camp.BBC North America editor Mark Mardell says Mr Obama has stopped the panic in his camp.
Back on the trailBack on the trail
What Team Obama would have dreaded was anything that contributed to a narrative of decline and defeat for the Democrat as he bids for a second term, our correspondent adds.What Team Obama would have dreaded was anything that contributed to a narrative of decline and defeat for the Democrat as he bids for a second term, our correspondent adds.
A CBS poll of undecided voters who watched the debate gave it to Mr Obama, 37% to 30% with 33% calling the debate a tie.A CBS poll of undecided voters who watched the debate gave it to Mr Obama, 37% to 30% with 33% calling the debate a tie.
Meanwhile, a CNN poll of registered voters who watched - not just undecideds - gave the debate to Mr Obama 46%-39%.Meanwhile, a CNN poll of registered voters who watched - not just undecideds - gave the debate to Mr Obama 46%-39%.
The morning after the debate, the candidates were back on the campaign trail, targeting their messages at voters in swing states.The morning after the debate, the candidates were back on the campaign trail, targeting their messages at voters in swing states.
Mr Romney was scheduled to spend the day in the state of Virginia and Mr Obama in Iowa, while their running mates - Congressman Paul Ryan and Vice-President Joe Biden - were bound for Ohio and Colorado respectively.Mr Romney was scheduled to spend the day in the state of Virginia and Mr Obama in Iowa, while their running mates - Congressman Paul Ryan and Vice-President Joe Biden - were bound for Ohio and Colorado respectively.
In the town hall-style forum at Hofstra University on Long Island, the candidates roamed the stage, circling, interrupting and at times heckling one another as they took questions from an audience of 80 undecided voters.In the town hall-style forum at Hofstra University on Long Island, the candidates roamed the stage, circling, interrupting and at times heckling one another as they took questions from an audience of 80 undecided voters.
The moderator, CNN's Candy Crowley, often had to intervene to keep order.The moderator, CNN's Candy Crowley, often had to intervene to keep order.
The 11 questions from the voters present ranged from gun control to Libya to immigration, but the main focus was on the economy.The 11 questions from the voters present ranged from gun control to Libya to immigration, but the main focus was on the economy.
The most dramatic clash came over foreign policy, and the attack last month on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, which left the US ambassador and three other Americans dead.The most dramatic clash came over foreign policy, and the attack last month on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, which left the US ambassador and three other Americans dead.
Mr Romney sought to portray the attack as evidence of the Obama administration's failing foreign policy and he suggested Mr Obama had dithered over admitting a terrorist attack had occurred.Mr Romney sought to portray the attack as evidence of the Obama administration's failing foreign policy and he suggested Mr Obama had dithered over admitting a terrorist attack had occurred.
Mr Obama shot back that he had said so the day after the attack, in an appearance at the White House.Mr Obama shot back that he had said so the day after the attack, in an appearance at the White House.
The Republican challenged this, saying: "It took the president 14 days before he called the attack in Benghazi an act of terror."The Republican challenged this, saying: "It took the president 14 days before he called the attack in Benghazi an act of terror."
'Road to Greece''Road to Greece'
When Ms Crowley confirmed that Mr Obama had indeed called the attack an "act of terror" the day after the attack, the president told the moderator: "Say that a little louder, Candy."When Ms Crowley confirmed that Mr Obama had indeed called the attack an "act of terror" the day after the attack, the president told the moderator: "Say that a little louder, Candy."

Election Daily Diet

26 October

Election Daily Diet

29 October
Meat Loaf and star signs A storm hits - and voters get a campaign break.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20100469 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20126493
The president also accused Mr Romney of using the Libyan events for political purposes. "While we were still dealing with our diplomats being threatened, Governor Romney put out a press release, trying to make political points, and that's not how a commander-in-chief operates," he said.The president also accused Mr Romney of using the Libyan events for political purposes. "While we were still dealing with our diplomats being threatened, Governor Romney put out a press release, trying to make political points, and that's not how a commander-in-chief operates," he said.
Mr Obama accused Mr Romney of inconsistency, and contrasted his own bailout of the US car industry with the Republican's position that car-makers should have been allowed to go bankrupt.Mr Obama accused Mr Romney of inconsistency, and contrasted his own bailout of the US car industry with the Republican's position that car-makers should have been allowed to go bankrupt.
In turn, Mr Romney blamed the president for unemployment of 20 million and bloated federal deficits.In turn, Mr Romney blamed the president for unemployment of 20 million and bloated federal deficits.
America, he insisted, could not afford another four years with Mr Obama at the helm, warning that Mr Obama's policies would ultimately prove as disastrous as the euro debt crisis.America, he insisted, could not afford another four years with Mr Obama at the helm, warning that Mr Obama's policies would ultimately prove as disastrous as the euro debt crisis.
"We've gone from $10tn of national debt to $16tn of national debt," he said."We've gone from $10tn of national debt to $16tn of national debt," he said.
"If the president were re-elected, we'd go to almost $20tn of national debt. This puts us on a road to Greece.""If the president were re-elected, we'd go to almost $20tn of national debt. This puts us on a road to Greece."
Mr Obama said voters had heard no specifics on Mr Romney's "sketchy" economic plan apart from eliminating Sesame Street's Big Bird and cutting funding for Planned Parenthood, a family planning organisation Republicans say promotes abortion.Mr Obama said voters had heard no specifics on Mr Romney's "sketchy" economic plan apart from eliminating Sesame Street's Big Bird and cutting funding for Planned Parenthood, a family planning organisation Republicans say promotes abortion.
'Binders full of women''Binders full of women'
But Mr Romney insisted his budget would add up, and cited his experience in balancing budgets in business while running the 2002 Olympics and as governor of Massachusetts.But Mr Romney insisted his budget would add up, and cited his experience in balancing budgets in business while running the 2002 Olympics and as governor of Massachusetts.
Both campaigns released videos building on themes from Tuesday's debate.Both campaigns released videos building on themes from Tuesday's debate.
A video from the Republicans, called Holding President Obama Accountable, weaves together highlights from Mr Romney's comments during the debate.A video from the Republicans, called Holding President Obama Accountable, weaves together highlights from Mr Romney's comments during the debate.
An ad from the Obama campaign focuses on Mr Romney's debate remark about "binders full of women".An ad from the Obama campaign focuses on Mr Romney's debate remark about "binders full of women".
While answering a question about equality in the workplace, Mr Romney said that he had sought out female employees as governor of Massachusetts.While answering a question about equality in the workplace, Mr Romney said that he had sought out female employees as governor of Massachusetts.
"I went to a number of women's groups and said, 'Can you help us find folks?' and they brought us whole binders full of women," Mr Romney said."I went to a number of women's groups and said, 'Can you help us find folks?' and they brought us whole binders full of women," Mr Romney said.
The remark quickly went viral online, prompting a deluge of commentary on Twitter and other social media.The remark quickly went viral online, prompting a deluge of commentary on Twitter and other social media.
BBC North America editor Mark Mardell says that the body language of the debate was fascinating - a showdown between two highly successful men who are used to winning.BBC North America editor Mark Mardell says that the body language of the debate was fascinating - a showdown between two highly successful men who are used to winning.
At one point, they almost squared up to each other, uncomfortably close, invading each other's personal space, hands raised in a gesture that says "stop - I'm talking", he says.At one point, they almost squared up to each other, uncomfortably close, invading each other's personal space, hands raised in a gesture that says "stop - I'm talking", he says.
The pair meet for their final debate in Florida on 22 October, with the election following on 6 November.The pair meet for their final debate in Florida on 22 October, with the election following on 6 November.