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Obama and Romney prepare for New York debate Obama and Romney prepare for New York debate
(about 2 hours later)
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are hunkered down with advisers ahead of Tuesday's debate, with the US president under pressure to bounce back after a languid first performance.Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are hunkered down with advisers ahead of Tuesday's debate, with the US president under pressure to bounce back after a languid first performance.
Mr Obama is at a debate camp in Virginia, while Mr Romney is preparing in his home state of Massachusetts.Mr Obama is at a debate camp in Virginia, while Mr Romney is preparing in his home state of Massachusetts.
The town-hall style forum in New York state will take questions from voters.The town-hall style forum in New York state will take questions from voters.
A new national opinion poll shows the rivals in a statistical dead heat, 21 days before the election.A new national opinion poll shows the rivals in a statistical dead heat, 21 days before the election.
The ABC News/Washington Post survey released on Monday suggested voters were 49% for the Democratic president and 46% in favour of his Republican rival - a lead within the survey's margin of error.The ABC News/Washington Post survey released on Monday suggested voters were 49% for the Democratic president and 46% in favour of his Republican rival - a lead within the survey's margin of error.
'Come out swinging''Come out swinging'
Absentee and early voting is already underway in 43 of 50 US states, including some that could decide the election.Absentee and early voting is already underway in 43 of 50 US states, including some that could decide the election.
Ahead of Tuesday's encounter at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, Mr Obama has been preparing with a three-day debate camp at a golf resort in Williamsburg, Virginia.Ahead of Tuesday's encounter at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, Mr Obama has been preparing with a three-day debate camp at a golf resort in Williamsburg, Virginia.
On Sunday, during a break to meet volunteers at a local campaign office, he said: "It's going great."On Sunday, during a break to meet volunteers at a local campaign office, he said: "It's going great."
Mr Obama's aides and the president himself have acknowledged he did not do well at the first debate in Denver, Colorado.Mr Obama's aides and the president himself have acknowledged he did not do well at the first debate in Denver, Colorado.
Obama adviser Robert Gibbs told CNN on Sunday: "I think you'll see somebody [on Tuesday] who is very passionate about the choice that our country faces."Obama adviser Robert Gibbs told CNN on Sunday: "I think you'll see somebody [on Tuesday] who is very passionate about the choice that our country faces."
As former Massachusetts Governor Romney's advisers put him through his paces in that state, his wife has remarked on his rise in national opinion polls following his first clash with Mr Obama.As former Massachusetts Governor Romney's advisers put him through his paces in that state, his wife has remarked on his rise in national opinion polls following his first clash with Mr Obama.
"That's what you call momentum," Ann Romney said in an interview with Philadelphia radio station WPHT."That's what you call momentum," Ann Romney said in an interview with Philadelphia radio station WPHT.
Republican Senator Rob Portman, who has been preparing Mr Romney for the debates, told ABC News: "I think President Obama is going to come out swinging. He's going to have to compensate for a poor first debate."Republican Senator Rob Portman, who has been preparing Mr Romney for the debates, told ABC News: "I think President Obama is going to come out swinging. He's going to have to compensate for a poor first debate."
Tuesday's 90-minute encounter, to be moderated by CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley, will follow a different format from the first encounter, featuring questions from voters in the audience.Tuesday's 90-minute encounter, to be moderated by CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley, will follow a different format from the first encounter, featuring questions from voters in the audience.
Experts say town hall-style debates demand more empathetic responses from the candidates and are less suited to the kind of direct attacks that are thought to have benefited Mr Romney in the last encounter.
Monday's ABC News/Washington Post poll found that enthusiasm among Romney supporters was up 11 percentage points in the last two weeks to 59%.

Election Daily Diet

15 October

Election Daily Diet

15 October
Thanks for babysitting, Mr PresidentThanks for babysitting, Mr President
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19952070http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19952070
Experts say town hall-style debates demand more empathetic responses from the candidates and are less suited to the kind of direct attacks that are thought to have benefited Mr Romney in the last encounter.
Monday's ABC News/Washington Post poll found that enthusiasm among Romney supporters was up 11 percentage points in the last two weeks to 59%.
But as US economic indicators continue to point to recovery, the survey also found that voters narrowly favoured the president rather than Mr Romney to nurture further growth.But as US economic indicators continue to point to recovery, the survey also found that voters narrowly favoured the president rather than Mr Romney to nurture further growth.
Last week Mr Obama's deputy, Vice-President Joe Biden, assertively attacked Mr Romney as he debated with the Republican's running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan, in Kentucky.Last week Mr Obama's deputy, Vice-President Joe Biden, assertively attacked Mr Romney as he debated with the Republican's running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan, in Kentucky.
The final presidential debate is scheduled for 22 October in Boca Raton, Florida.The final presidential debate is scheduled for 22 October in Boca Raton, Florida.