On the Trail: Romney Flips; Obama Flops

Obama struggles to regain momentum after debate.

The Latest News and Quotes From the Campaign Trail - What a difference a night makes. After performing unexpectedly and exceptionally well in his first face-to-face encounter with President Obama, Republican nominee Mitt Romney is enjoying a rebound and making gains in the polls. The stakes, meanwhile, have never been higher for Obama and he has two more opportunities to do some much needed damage control. —Joyce Jones (Photo: Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)

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The Latest News and Quotes From the Campaign Trail - What a difference a night makes. After performing unexpectedly and exceptionally well in his first face-to-face encounter with President Obama, Republican nominee Mitt Romney is enjoying a rebound and making gains in the polls. The stakes, meanwhile, have never been higher for Obama and he has two more opportunities to do some much needed damage control. —Joyce Jones (Photo: Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)

Love Hurts - The newest cover of the left-leaning New Yorker magazine depicts Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney debating an empty chair, recalling actor Clint Eastwood's speech at the GOP's national convention. It also reflects the question most widely asked by scores of Democrats after the debate: Where was Obama?(Photo: Courtesy of The New Yorker)

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Love Hurts - The newest cover of the left-leaning New Yorker magazine depicts Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney debating an empty chair, recalling actor Clint Eastwood's speech at the GOP's national convention. It also reflects the question most widely asked by scores of Democrats after the debate: Where was Obama?(Photo: Courtesy of The New Yorker)

My Bad - Following a star-studded campaign fundraiser on Oct. 7, Obama poked fun at himself and his debate performance. "They’re such great friends and they just perform flawlessly night after night," he said of the participating artists. 'I can’t always say the same.” (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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My Bad - Following a star-studded campaign fundraiser on Oct. 7, Obama poked fun at himself and his debate performance. "They’re such great friends and they just perform flawlessly night after night," he said of the participating artists. 'I can’t always say the same.” (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The Big Bounce Theory - After tacking to the center and a commanding performance, Romney now leads Obama in a new Pew Research Center poll by 49 to 45 percent. He also is now even with the president among women, closing a previous 18-point gap. (Photo: Steve Pope/Getty Images)

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The Big Bounce Theory - After tacking to the center and a commanding performance, Romney now leads Obama in a new Pew Research Center poll by 49 to 45 percent. He also is now even with the president among women, closing a previous 18-point gap. (Photo: Steve Pope/Getty Images)

Brad Brannon - "Voters will get whiplash trying to keep up with changes in Mitt Romney's image,” Brad Bannon, president of Bannon Communications Research, told Politico. (Photo: Courtesy of LB Networks)

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Brad Brannon - "Voters will get whiplash trying to keep up with changes in Mitt Romney's image,” Brad Bannon, president of Bannon Communications Research, told Politico. (Photo: Courtesy of LB Networks)

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Biden to the Rescue? - Democrats are hoping that when Vice President Joe Biden squares off with Republican nominee Paul Ryan he can undo the damage Obama created in his first debate. Senior campaign strategist David Axelrod has been on hand at Biden's debate camp, counseling him on how to more aggressively attack the Republican ticket. (Photo: AP Photo/The Charlotte Observer, Jeff Siner)

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Biden to the Rescue? - Democrats are hoping that when Vice President Joe Biden squares off with Republican nominee Paul Ryan he can undo the damage Obama created in his first debate. Senior campaign strategist David Axelrod has been on hand at Biden's debate camp, counseling him on how to more aggressively attack the Republican ticket. (Photo: AP Photo/The Charlotte Observer, Jeff Siner)

Empty Promises - "Hope is not a strategy," said Romney of Obama's approach to foreign policy and national security in a speech delivered at the Virginia Military Institute. "We cannot support our friends and defeat our enemies in the Middle East when our words are not backed up by deeds." (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Empty Promises - "Hope is not a strategy," said Romney of Obama's approach to foreign policy and national security in a speech delivered at the Virginia Military Institute. "We cannot support our friends and defeat our enemies in the Middle East when our words are not backed up by deeds." (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Voting Rights Victory - The Obama campaign received a legal victory in Ohio, where it had challenged new voting laws that shortened the early voting period. Voters now will be able to cast ballots through the weekend and Monday before Election Day.   (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Getty Images)

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Voting Rights Victory - The Obama campaign received a legal victory in Ohio, where it had challenged new voting laws that shortened the early voting period. Voters now will be able to cast ballots through the weekend and Monday before Election Day.   (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Getty Images)

Romney Nixes Nick News - Romney joins President George W. Bush and Democratic nominee John Kerry as the only candidates since 1996 to decline an invitation to participate in a Nick News special that enables young viewers to submit queries on a range of issues and then vote for their presidential choice. "We are disappointed that Mitt Romney wouldn't take the time to answer the questions, but are thrilled that President Obama participated in the special," said host and producer Linda Ellerbee. (Photo: Courtesy of Nickelodeon)

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Romney Nixes Nick News - Romney joins President George W. Bush and Democratic nominee John Kerry as the only candidates since 1996 to decline an invitation to participate in a Nick News special that enables young viewers to submit queries on a range of issues and then vote for their presidential choice. "We are disappointed that Mitt Romney wouldn't take the time to answer the questions, but are thrilled that President Obama participated in the special," said host and producer Linda Ellerbee. (Photo: Courtesy of Nickelodeon)

Joy of Employment - “I gotta say, if you’re cooking the books, 7.8 percent unemployment is a s----y recipe,” said comedian Jon Stewart, responding to speculation by some conservatives that Obama had manipulated the September jobs report to help his campaign. (Photo: Courtesy of Comdey Central)

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Joy of Employment - “I gotta say, if you’re cooking the books, 7.8 percent unemployment is a s----y recipe,” said comedian Jon Stewart, responding to speculation by some conservatives that Obama had manipulated the September jobs report to help his campaign. (Photo: Courtesy of Comdey Central)