Romney did not go after the president for his response to recent events in Libya, where four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, were killed last month. However, he did change the subject on numerous occasions to the economy, which his advisers have repeatedly said is his clearest path to victory.
Obama again looked more confident, collected, and rehearsed than his disastrous first debate against Romney, and appeared comfortable with the issues after four years in office. A CBS News flash poll taken after the debate had Obama decisively winning.
Riding momentum from his decisive first debate win over Obama, Romney appears to have embraced the strategy that he can win the election by avoiding major gaffes. Obama won the debate, but it remains to be seen whether he fundamentally changed the direction of the race in the process.