The truly scary thing about Romney is, as with domestic issues, on foreign policy you're left wondering "I wonder what he would REALLY do" in given hypothetical situation. If you are handed a set of facts and asked how you thought each candidate would address the situation, with Obama you could make a pretty good guess because, like him or not, he's fairly consistent and predicatable. If you were asked how Romney might rspond in a given situation, you'd likely pause for a couple of seconds, think of the many different positions he's taken on the issue, shake your head, and say "I really don't know". Scary.

I think Romney has no backbone at all. The only point (and perhaps i exaggerate) on which he has been consistent is on trickle down economics. Otherwise, he shifts right to get the nomination, shifts left to look presidential in a debate, shifts rigt to attack the incumbent. I don't remember anyone shifting so much during a campaign. Even if you excuse what he said years ago on things like abortion, the guy is just all over the place during this campaign. If I were on the right, I would not trust him a bit. As i am not on the right, I find him curious...but still not trustworthy. His one consistency is to protect the wealthy and let the rest of us tought it out.

"On the most substantive questions, in the biggest trouble spots, the Republican challenger had trouble explaining what he would do differently from President Obama." A glance at the people advising Romney on foreign policy (John Bolton, for example) suggests he may have struggled to diffirentiate his foreign policy from the current because he understands that the actual contents of a Romney Administration foreign policy are deeply unpopular with voters. In other words, he was etch-a-sketching because he had too.

The Life of the Republic -- The Third and Most Important Debate   The explicit duty of a president as fully defined in the US Constitution is Commander-in-Chief of the civilian controlled military.  His most important duty, of course, is to keep the country safe – free from enemy attack.  Because the president has at his disposal the ability to use a military which is the strongest and most technologically sophisticated in the world, he understands, after having occupied the oval office for four years, how to command it while using the expertise of dozens of military advisers to assist him in the process .  Since 9/11 the Department of Defense, the Pentagon, the CIA and other arsenals of foreign policy have had to morph and grow into something it never was in history – a gargantuan technological vessel of computer programmed precision able to talk with each other at a moment’s notice. The process and the procedure are as complex as they ever have been and the president is familiar with it but Romney did and does not have a clue.  He looked nervous and sweated profusely because he knew he understood little about foreign affairs as witnessed by his disastrous tour abroad to our strongest allies, England, Israel and Poland where he managed to insult someone in every state.  One wonders what he would do when confronting an adversary.  Perish the thought.     In the third debate the president brought with him the crucial determinate -- EXPERIENCE -- four years of it. He brought with him foreign policy successes many times over including the head of the slain dragon, Osama bin Laden, which the president said was worth “moving heaven and earth” to obtain.  I concur.  In one word his opponent Willard Mitt Romney was, shall we say, LOST and, using his word, SEVERELY so.  Romney in his usual fashion was all over the foreign policy Etch-A-Sketch map changing positions he once held but, at least for this debate, seems not to any more.  What positions does this chameleon really hold?  Who knows?  Like every other issue whether foreign or domestic he changes more than a hotel employee changes the sheets.     If I were a right winger (perish the thought) I would be scratching my head wondering who IS this guy.  What he is perhaps, is the WORST Republican candidate ever. Why? Because he stands for everything and, therefore, he stands for nothing except that which his handlers tell him to stand and when he should stand for them.  Last night one would have thought Romney agreed with every foreign policy act that the president has put forth.  Barack Obama has not governed in foreign policy domain from the left.  He has governed centrist no matter what his often racist haters incorrectly aver.      I do not know what the polls will be saying in the next few days but the instant flash polls of various media had the president winning and often by significant margins.  One would have to have been asleep to say otherwise.     The third debate was the most important of all because it was about whether we live or whether the nation dies. Prescient and wise policy in the ever-so complex Middle East is crucial.  Shooting from the hip in Bushian style is folly.  Clearly, last evening was a disappointment to the Neocons who make up more than half of Romney's foreign policy advisory staff emanating from the failed team Bush.  They were disappointed because the American people, even on the extreme right, have little stomach for endless war and THAT is all the Neocons want. Most of them INCLUDING Romney have never fought in war; Romney evading the Vietnam draft by peddling Mormon magic underwear to the French during that time.  Neither he nor his five ever-so-healthy sons has ever served. What does he know about the intricacies of war?  Answer: NOTHING and it showed.     One most entertaining take down of the night occurred when Romney said he would increase Navy ships because they were at a numerical low of 1916 levels and the Air Force at a numerical low since 1947.  The president profoundly said referring to 1916 "we also have fewer horses and bayonets too."  Clearly a high school senior could understand the difference between World War I or II and the modern era with the incomparable technologically sophisticated hardware that exists today.  Moreover, George Bush began two wars with the amount of military equipment low by comparison to other 20^th century wars.     In last evening’s third debate there was no comparison between the depth of knowledge of a commander-in-chief who inherited two wars with the task of ending them and a one- term governor who never served in a war when he had the chance.  Romney is significantly UNFIT and WOEFULLY UNQUALIFIED to perform the most important duty a president faces and that is protecting the lives of the people and the country from attack.     By this yardstick not only did the president crush his opponent in the debate he should without hesitation win re-election to the presidency.  Let's hope the majority of the electorate sees this the same way because no less than the life of the republic is at stake!  

Not sure if we were watching the same presidential debate as the two young fellows who wrote this article. Perhaps Obama got the boys some pot prior to the show!

Obama was the same 'empty chair.' Snarky, stuttering, and repetitive with canned responses.

Gov. Mitt Romney was presidential. Clear answers & substantive policies to answer the questions.

Mr. Scheiffer was a very good Moderator - did not choose sides - but, allowed Obama more time.  Obama needed more time. He was out of his league across the table from our former Governor.

I think Romney was shrewd.  He couldn't beat Obama on foreign policy, so made this issue a draw, claiming he'd be pretty much the same.  So without any differences on foreign policy, there's nothing for his opponents to use against him.  Now he can get everyone to focus on the issues that he's hoodwinked the public into thinking that he could do better.

Suggest a staff meeting would be beneficial for the Globe writers to analyze their different opinions.

Governor Romney did not appear comfortable debating President Obama on foreign affairs last night. He had no real argument on any level that would lead us in another direction on the world stage. It's very apparent that he is a good businesman but, not much of a diplomat. I hope that he is willing to stay involved after the election is over. One thing he did reveal last night was his love for teachers. Maybe he can teach a class at one of our community colleges.