Maggie's Farm

On Syria, Obama: "I am confident that Assad's days are numbered."

Romney: "Syria is an opportunity for us" to cut down Iranian influence in the Middle East. "Identify responsible parties within Syria" to help.

Obama: Trots out taking out Ghaddafi "responsibly" and that is what he is trying to do in Syria. -- (WTF! Look where that got Libya!.)

Obama turns to Egypt, says that we need to help the young who want progress. Romney replies that mission in Middle East is a "peaceful" planet and US has the mantle to guide that, which requires principle, then turns to our weak economy as a major threat to being able to meet our mission, and we need our allies and to stand by them. "In nowhere in the world is our leadership stronger than it was four years ago."

Romney, on US role in the world: "We have to stand for our principles, our allies', ...

Obama: "Refocus" is us. "Our alliances have never been stronger." "We have positioned ourselves to rebuild America." -- (So, how come we are in such a deeper hole?)

Both try to wander into domestic policies. More cliches and talking points.

At CNN, the instant reactions of "undecided" voters in Florida is basically positive toward both Obama and Romney. Soothing platitudes from Obama; Soothing tone in take-downs by Romney. Romney keeps scoring factual points versus Obama generalities. Another half-hour to go. If it stays like this, Romney will win this debate on points and draw on likability.

Obama, as in prior debate, says, "nothing you are saying is true." Then says he has shown strength, and has "mobilized the world." -- (What, to tag along behind our misleading from behind?!!) -- Romney repeats that Obama has been on an "apology tour" from the start of his administration. "America has not dictated to other nations, we have freed other nations." Obama cites his pre-presidency visit to Yad Vashem and to Sderot to remind himself of the nature of evil. "The central question at this point is who is going to be credible to all sides?" -- (Since no one is acting as if Obama has any credibility, that answers that.)

I think most debate watchers are nearing this point:

Next question from Schieffer: What if Afghans aren't ready in 2014?

Romney: We'll be ready. Then seques into Pakistan is important and we can't just walk away, Pak is a nuke power, so we have to stay engaged. Obama: "When I came into office" blah, blah, blah, sameo, sameo, "we decimated Al Quaeda's core leadership", "no reason" Americans should die when Afghans can step up, "after a decade at war it's time to do some nation building at home" followed by litany of Obama domestic programs.

Schieffer, citing Pakistani problems, "Is it time to divorce?" Romney says no, "this is a nation if it becomes a failed state, there are nuclear weapons there", we have some work to do. "We have to work with the people in Pakistan to move toward a more responsible course" or else the alternatives are worse if "we just walk away". Schieffer asks Romney about drones. Romney supports their use completely. But we need a more comprehensive strategy to move the world away from extremism. Cites lack of progress under Obama. Says stronger leadership is necessary. Obama defends what he has done.

Schieffer: China? What is greatest future threat? Obama: China OK if "following the rules." Says he has brought more trade cases than Bush. Turns to strengthening America's economy. (But, he hasn't. Indeed weakened US economy and future.) -- Romney: "China wants a stable world" because it needs it for its own domestic peace. But, China looks at US and sees a weak economy, weakening our military, weakening of commitments around the world, while China keeps its currency artificially low in order to "steal" our jobs and pirates our technology. Schieffer: Is there a risk of a trade war if Romney labels China a "currency manipulator"? Romney: China needs US more than we need them. Obama: "Romney is right." Then, "That's how our free market works." (NO, it isn't, because China is abusing our lassitude. Interesting that Obama's favoring regulating the US free market doesn't want to exert such control over unfair China mercantilism and thefts.) Obama says that Romney would outsource to China and abandon the US auto industry. Romney says that a normal bankruptcy would have worked better than propping up what has and continues to fail at GM. Romney blasts Obama's investments in failed energy-car companies and technology. Private sector squeezed out. Obama: "Anyone out there could check the record." Romney says he hopes so.

Four minutes to go. More blah, blah, blah, talking points from Obama. Romney: "It hasn't worked" the past four years.

Closing statements: Obama: Romney wants to bring US back to before Obama. (Was that supposed to be a bad thing? Some generalities about next four years, but still no program.) "Nation building at home". -- Romney: "I'm optimistic about the future." America will have "real leadership" from him. Path of Obama heads toward Greece. Posits his better alternatives, via jobs, ablility to work across the aisle. (Good close.)

Now, let's dance, on down to the voting booths:

I'll add instapolls as available.

Krauthammer: Romney won tactically and strategically. Plus, Romney went large. Obama went small.

Frank Luntz focus group in south Florida: Most voted for Obama in 2008. Almost all say economic policy is more important than foreign policy. Really POs some of the focus group. Rubs me the wrong way, too, but it is undeniable how most Americans feel. Most of panelists favor Romney on economics, but Obama on foreign policy.

Public Policy Polling instapoll in swing states gives edge to Obama in the debate. CNN instapoll marginally for Obama, "a margin within the sampling error.". CBS instapoll heavily favors Obama. Internals of instapolls show Romney voters more encouraged to vote than Obama's, and that as Commander-in-Chief both score about equal.

No damage to Romney. Which means no change the game win for Obama. -- Time for the last rounds of the battle before November 6. Should be as exciting as the zombie battles in films.

P.S.: I don't know this blogger but he carries my zombie metaphor to a higher and deeper level. Worth the read.