As the second U.S. presidential debate got underway Tuesday residents of Washington D.C. crammed the city's iconic Busboys and Poets café to watch.
President Barack Obama and his rival, former governor Mitt Romney made strong showings with recent opinion polls putting the race for the White House at a virtual dead heat.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MEGAN CHAPMAN, ATTORNEY WORKING IN THE FIELD OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SAYING:
"I thought that there were a few points scored here and a few points scored there but I didn't find either candidate captivating and it's hard for me to say that either one was the winner."
For the first time Obama said he was "ultimately responsible" for the safety and security of the Americans caught up in the Benghazi attack that killed U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens and three other U.S. nationals.
He also accused Romney of exploiting the Benghazi attack in an effort to score "offensive" political points.
But much of the debate, in which the candidates fielded a broad array of questions from undecided voters, was dominated by discussions of the economy, jobs and business.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NICOLE SESSEGO, WOMAN WATCHING DEBATE, SAYING:
"I think it was really good. I think both candidates were both very well-spoken and I was personally really excited to see them both address immigration finally. However, I do think that president Obama might have had the edge over governor Romney."
Next week, Obama and Romney meet for a final debate in Florida focusing on foreign policy.
