13.15 (08.15) From Mike Allen's Politico Playbook this morning, on what Barack Obama will say tonight about the New York Times' claims that the alleged opening of one-on-one talks with Iran, via a "senior administration official." I have put in place crippling sanctions. Just in the last month, you've seen their oil revenues collapse, their currency collapse. I've said I'd do everything I have to, to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. Governor Romney has been unable to articulate any policy ideas that I'm not already doing, except go to war. The story itself [New York Times report of a US-Iran agreement, not just an opening] isn't true. But if Iran is pressured to come back to the table, that's an opportunity. And we should have a conversation. It would be irresponsible, frankly, to reject it. Because your only other option is military. 12.48 (07.48) Who says Romney can't let his hair down? Ahead of tonight's debate, his staff faced off against the reporters who have been covering his campaign. The New York Times, or Gawker which is not behind a paywall, carries an amusing account of the pick-up game, where Romney made an obvious fat joke at the expense of Governor Chris Christie - "Where's Chris Christie when we need him? He's our line. He also apparently kept referencing the now defunct TV show 'Friday Night Lights', which is about High School American Football, with the motto: "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, America Can't Lose." Romney has apparently begun quoting it on the campaign trail. Mitt Romney talks with "Romney team" captain Gail Gitcho (R), Romney campaign communication directrice, at the start of a friendly match of flag football between his campaign staff and members of the media following his campaign, in Delray Beach, Florida 12.40 (07.40) For those of you who enjoy your US politics, and also your rap battles (big crossover group), this YouTube video may be just the right thing for you. Brought to you by Epic Rap Battles of History, who have turned their head to such battles as "Frank Sinatra vs Freddie Mercury" and "Steve Jobs vs Bill Gates," this has been viewed more than 14 million times and does a pretty decent job of breaking down the key difference between the two men. Personally, my favourite part though is when Abe Lincoln flies in being carried by an eagle, and tells both candidates to get their act together. If only he were around to moderate tonight's debate. 12.28 (07.28) Looking forward from the debate, Politico has broken down how Obama and Romney plan to win with just over two weeks to go until election day. Romney, to coin an American football term "is suddenly playing offence" all over, while Obama is "embracing a fundamentally defensive strategy." One of the big problems for Romney though is that his campaign is being hobbled by early campaign decisions, namely failing to develop a competitive groundbase in key swing states including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Both campaigns are confident they can win. But their theory-of-the-case victory strategies couldn't be more different. A buoyant Team Romney sees itself driving into Obama territory on a tailwind of enthusiasm. Team Obama is relying on a three-state solution - winning Ohio, Wisconsin and Nevada puts him over the top - and more "Hit Mitt" messaging geared at driving Democrats to the polls, a hybrid of hope and the hammer. 12.20 (07.20) One of the key issues tonight, if not the key issue, will be the Obama administration's handling of the Benghazi consulate attack. While Romney will be the clear underdog tonight, last month's attack that resulted in the death of US ambassador Chris Stevens gives him a golden opportunity to go on the attack, explains our US editor Peter Foster. The picture of the Obama administration's bungling of the Benghazi crisis that has emerged piece by piece in recent weeks has weakened Mr Obama's claim to be the cool-headed realist who defends of America's security while extricating the country from expensive and unwinnable wars. If refusing requests for additional security in Libya even though militant attacks were on the rise looks bad for Mr Obama, then trying (and failing) to pass off the assault as spontaneous demonstration gone wrong in order to save the Administration's blushes, looks even worse. On Monday Mr Romney has a chance to make those two charges stick. As Richard Grenell, a Republican strategist who served briefly as Mr Romney's foreign policy spokesman, told The Daily Telegraph, Mr Romney needs to "drive home that Obama's lack of leadership does not stop at the US border." 12.10 (07.10) For those of you that need a reminder, here are the highlights of the first two presidential debates in a total of 120 seconds. Mitt Romney was overwhelmingly judged the winner of Debate 1, with Barack Obama given the points for 2. Who will come out on top tonight? Highlights of first presidential debate: Highlights of second presidential debate: 12.06pm (07.06am) Tonight's debate focuses on foreign policy first and foremost. But Alastair Good from Telegraph TV has teamed up with our graphics department looking at each of the issues concerning voters this November, ranging from ObamaCare to the Economy to Home Foreclosure. This excellent graphic is worth a look at. And here is the specific focus on foreign policy, looking at Helena, Montana. 11.56 (06.56) As Alex Spillius, our diplomatic correspondent, notes this morning, with 16 days, one debate and 200 or so hours of campaigning left, the race is a virtual dead heat. The polls are tied within the margin of error, and while most Electoral College projections forecast a narrow Barack Obama victory, the president's expected margin has shrunk considerably in the past three weeks. Tonight's third and final debate in Boca Raton, Florida will therefore be all the more tense. Devoted to foreign affairs, a single calamitous comment could conceivably make the difference to winning or losing at this point - something like Gerald Ford's remark in 1976 against Jimmy Carter that "there is no Soviet dominance of Eastern Europe," for instance. A similar sort of blunder tonight seems unlikely. Like many first-time candidates, Romney is not comfortable with overseas policy, but he will be thoroughly prepared and is a highly competent debater. Obama, after his disastrously listless first debate, shouldn't mess up again. 11.55am (06.55am EST) Good morning, or good afternoon, depending on where you are joining us from. Welcome to our build-up to the third and final US presidential election debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. US Election: Oct 19 as it happened US Election: October 18 as it happened US presidential debate reaction: October 17 as it happened