Romney had previously stated that setting a deadline was a bad thing. It was nice to hear him change his opinion (if it sticks) that we should be getting out. Though neither answered the “what if Afghanistan isn’t ready in 2014″ question. Pushing the timeline is definitely something a significant number of Americans would like to discuss. I don’t see it happening.

World’s policeman. That phrase wasn’t used, but I assume you mean “What do each of you see as our role in the world?” I’d agree they both gave safe rote answers with slight jabs at their opponent. Though I disagree with several of Romney’s statements of past, particularly “when the students took to the streets in Tehran and the people there protested […] for the president to be silent I thought was an enormous mistake”. I think it was of great value for the US to not appear to be involved in the changes taking place. I agree with the “silence”.

Staying Gray: totally.

It would have been nice to have heard a discussion about leaving Afghanistan sooner than later, but the downside for both candidates prevents an honest, intelligent discussion of political and military repercussions.

What is America’s duty as the world’s policeman? Did either give an answer beyond bromides?
No electoral upside.

With a polarized political environment and the election likely to come down to the apparently spontaneous actions of 5-10,000 individuals in a dozen or two counties, the “strategy” of national elections seems to be: stay sufficiently gray to allow undecideds to project their beliefs and wishes onto the candidates.

*not an attempt to defend/attack either candidate, let alone sway anyone’s opinion regarding an individual*