Tight race, big debate ahead with 3 weeks to go

In this photo taken Oct. 12, 2012, Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., campaigns in Lancaster, Ohio. It’s either candidate’s race to win as Obama and Romney prepare to dig in for their second debate Tuesday night, Oct. 16, 2012, with just three weeks to go until the election and voting already well under way in many states.

Charles Dharapak, Associated Press

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FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2012, file photo President Barack Obama campaigns at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. It’s either candidate’s race to win as Obama and Romney prepare to dig in for their second debate Tuesday night, Oct. 16, 2012, with just three weeks to go until the election and voting already well under way in many states.

Lynne Sladky, File, Associated Press

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FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2012, file photo President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign fundraiser at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami in Miami. It’s either candidate’s race to win as Obama and Romney prepare to dig in for their second debate Tuesday night, Oct. 16, 2012, with just three weeks to go until the election and voting already well under way in many states.

Carolyn Kaster, File, Associated Press

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FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2012, file photo Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney campaigns in Lancaster, Ohio. It’s either candidate’s race to win as Obama and Romney prepare to dig in for their second debate Tuesday night, Oct. 16, 2012, with just three weeks to go until the election and voting already well under way in many states.

Charles Dharapak, File, Associated Press

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — It's either candidate's race to win as President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney prepare for their second debate Tuesday night.

There are just three weeks to go until the election and voting is well under way in many states.

The Republican challenger had trailed the Democratic incumbent in national polls for weeks, but now has drawn even — thanks to a boost of enthusiasm following a strong first debate performance 10 days ago.

Obama retains an edge in the hunt for the 270 electoral votes needed to take the White House, and has more ways than Romney to reach that magic number.

But that's not enough to calm nervous Democrats, who are looking for an aggressive Obama to show up for the prime-time town-hall style debate in Hempstead, N.Y.

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