21:29
22.10.2012
Egypt
Schieffer asks Obama whether he has regrets about the timing of his saying it was time for Egypt's former President Mubarak to go.
Obama says he has no regrets and outlines a number of U.S. interests regarding Egypt, including that Egypt abide by its treaty with Israel.
Obama says Egyptian aspirations are similar to those of young people here, including jobs.
Obama says for America to be successful in the Middle East, there are things the U.S. has to do at home.
Romney says he would not have done anything differently regarding Mubarak. He says he agreed with the president's decision, but that he wishes the U.S. would have worked more with its friends so the situation would not have exploded as it did.
Romney says the U.S. purpose is to make sure the world is more peaceful, but for the U.S. to promote those principles of peace, it has to be strong. Points out the current state of the economy does not make the nation strong.
Romney says the U.S. needs to have a strong economy, strong military and strong allies. But he says the U.S. also needs to stand by its principles, but that it's gotten weaker in all four of those areas.
21:26
22.10.2012
Obama aggressive in early going vrs. Romney.Romney seems to want to come across as a moderate.#2012 debates @voa_news
â Jim Malone (@JMaloneVOA) October 23, 2012
21:24
22.10.2012
#Romney, asked how far he would go in #Syria, says objective is to replace Assad, does not see need for US military involvement
â Jim Fry (@jimfryVOA) October 23, 2012
21:24
22.10.2012
Romney says the U.S. has to make sure it has the relationships and friendship with the people who take over after Assad leaves power.
Romney says the U.S. should be playing the leadership role in Syria.
Obama says the U.S. is already playing the leadership role, and ensuring it has friends in Syria over the long-term.
Obama raises the issue of Libya and says when it came time to make sure Gadhafi did not stay in power, Romney said this was "mission muddle."
But Obama said the U.S. had to finish the job.
Romney says he doesn't think there is a necessity to put U.S. military in Syria but that U.S. objectives are to replace Assad and make sure those fighting against Assad "get armed."
Romney says the U.S. with partners in the region has sufficient resources to support those groups. He says the U.S. can help the groups come together.
Obama says Romney does not have different ideas, because the U.S. is doing what it should be doing to promote a moderate Syrian leadership and get Assad out.