U.S. President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, former governor Mitt Romney, spent Sunday off the campaign trail and with their advisors as they prepare for their third and final debate of the presidential election.
The 90-minute debate Monday in the closely contested state of Florida comes 15 days before the November 6 election. This will be the last time Americans can tune in and see the candidates challenge each other on the same stage about their policy differences.
While the economy has been the major focus of this year’s election campaign, Monday’s debate will be on foreign policy.
Romney and his Republican allies have continually attacked Obama for his handling of last month’s deadly attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya. The September 11 attack in Benghazi killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.
Iran’s nuclear program has also been a subject of debate, with Romney saying the Obama administration has not been tough enough on Tehran and not supportive enough of Israel.
Obama has accused Romney of politicizing the attack in Libya, and said he has put in place tough sanctions on Iran while building U.S. security cooperation with Israel. The president has also highlighted anti-terrorism successes, including the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.