Sharing the same stage for the third and final time before the election, President Barack Obama and former Gov. Mitt Romney used their time to demonstrate their ability to lead internationally.

The two presidential candidates faced off in their last debate at 9 p.m. Monday at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla. Bob Schieffer of CBS News moderated the debate. The debate focused on foreign policy, with topics ranging from the conflict in Libya to Iran’s nuclear program to America’s relationship with China.

Throughout the debate, Romney’s chief critique of Obama was that he has been weak in his approach to foreign policy. In turn, Obama accused Romney of being “all over the map” on foreign policy.

Unlike the previous debate, the discussion was tough but civil. Schieffer kept control and there was less interrupting and running over of designated speaking time on both sides.

The first question was about Libya, a topic many thought would dominate the debate.

Romney did not aggressively go after the Obama administration regarding the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, but instead focused on the Middle East as a whole.

He also said Iran is gaining even more progress on its nuclear program and claimed Iran is “four years closer to a nuclear weapon.”

Although Romney agreed with how the Obama administration has been handling the Iran situation regarding economic sanctions and diplomatic isolations, he said he would implement even tougher sanctions on Iran.

“If I’m president of the United States — when I’m president of the United States — we will stand by Israel. And if Israel is attacked, we have their back,” Romney said.

Both candidates also agreed that the U.S. military should not get involved in the attempt to replace Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

As was expected, China also played a major role in the debate.

Obama attacked Romney on Chinese trade imbalance and pointed out that Romney has invested in companies that moved jobs overseas. Obama called China an adversary, but “also a potential partner in the international community if it’s following the rules.”

Romney agreed China can be a partner if they’re willing to be responsible, but said from day one that he’ll call China a “currency manipulator.”

Both candidates used their closing speeches to demonstrate how their policies will differ from the other’s.

Obama said in the last four years, America has made progress in recovering from policies that created two wars, large deficits and an economic crisis.

“Governor Romney wants to take us back to those policies,” he said. “I’ve got a different vision for America. I want to build on our strengths.”

Romney also highlighted the choice voters face, and said he will grow the economy and work with individuals on both sides of the aisle to make America stronger.

Schieffer ended the debate by encouraging viewers to vote in the upcoming election.

“As I always do at the end of these debates,” he said. “I leave you with the words of my mom, who said: ‘Go vote; it makes you feel big and strong.’”

Published on October 23, 2012 at 2:38 am

Contact Erin: erkelly@syr.edu