Obama, Romney face off for presidential town hall

From right to left, Marty Burchfield, Susan Burchfield, Steve Truttschuh, Jenny Trittschuh, Mike Thomas and Haley Thomas  watch the second presidential debate at Mike Thomas' house in Van Wert, Ohio, a battleground state.

CNN's Candy Crowley moderates the second of three presidential debates between President Obama and Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

There was a good deal of finger-pointing during the town hall debate.

People watch the debate between President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on television at Mamma Caruso's pizza restaurant on in Miami.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney smiles as President Obama answers a question during their town-hall style debate at Hofstra.

President Obama smiles during the debate Oct. 16 in Hempstead, N.Y. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates fielded questions from audience members.

Mitt Romney and President Obama talk over each other during a town-hall style debate.

At J.J.'s Café and ?Bar in Ybor City, Fla., Mable Smith, center, and others watch as Mitt Romney and President Obama debate foreign and domestic issues in Tuesday night's debate. Hillsborough County is considered a key battleground in deciding the outcome of Florida on Election Day.

The audience at Hofstra University got a front-row seat to an often lively exchange of words between the candidates.

President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney were lively during the 90-minute debate before an audience of uncommitted voters.

Television screens at the Electric Avenue electronics store in Miami drew several onlookers for the  second presidential debate.

President Obamaridiculed rival Mitt Romney's claim to have a five-point plan to create jobs.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romneyblamed President Obama for the economy's failure to generate more jobs.

Hofstra University, a private school with about 11,500 students in Hempstead on New York's Long Island, hosts the second presidential debate of the 2012 election.

President Obamasaid before the faceoff with Republican Mitt Romney that he expected to deliver a more energized performance than in his last debate.

Mitt Romneysays he will balance the federal budget and have tougher policies toward China. "I'll crack down on China," he said. "President Bush didn't." PresidentObama, criticized after the first debate for appearing disengaged, watched Romney intently when he spoke.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Obama talk to each other during a town-hall style debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.

President Obama speaks during the second presidential debate with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney at Hofstra University.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney answers a question during the town-hall style debate at Hofstra University.

President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney arrive on stage for the second presidential debate, the only one to be held in a town-hall style format.

Ann Romney, flanked by sons Ben, left, and Matt before the presidential candidates answer questions during their town-hall style debate.

First lady Michelle Obama sits in the audience before the start of the presidential debate at Hofstra.

Moderator Candy Crowley of CNN speaks to the audience prior to the start of the presidential debate at Hofstra University. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates will field questions from the audience  on a wide variety of issues.

Audience members take photos before the start of the presidential debate at Hofstra University.

The stage is set for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Obama to answer questions at Hofstra University.