>> a campaign can require a lot of wardrobe changes. blue jeans in the morning perhaps, suits for a lunch fund-raiser, sport coat for dinner, but it's nice to finally relax and to wear what ann and i wear around the house. good morning, everyone. i'm randi kaye. >> i'm victor blackwell. 7:00 on the east coast and 4:00 out west. you know, i've wondered on our west coast our friends watching from there. if this is the beginning of their saturday or just the end of the friday night. you know what i'm saying. >> i know what you're saying. >> well, just 17 days to go until the presidential election and it's crunchtime. the candidates are hunkering down this weekend doing debate prep. the third and final debate is monday night, but before stepping back today, both candidates put the pressure on

voters in those key swing states and that meant a lot of trash talking on the trail. let's start with the obama campaign. during a rally in virginia yesterday, the president came up with the new diagnosis for his competitor. listen. >> he's forgetting what his own positions are. and he's betting that you will, too. i mean, he's changing up so much, back tracking and side stepping. we've got a, we've got to name this condition he's going through. i think, i think it's called romnesia. and if you come down with a case of romnesia and you can't seem to remember the policies that are still on your website or the promises that you've made over the six years you've been running for president, here's

the good news. obama care covers pre-existing conditions. we can fix you up! we've got a cure! >> mitt romney took no time to fire back against the president's comments. during his rally a in florida he said obama is avoiding real issues by talking about romnesia and claims it's a sign that obama campaign is "shrinking." >> it's absolutely remarkable. they have no agenda for the future. no agenda for america. no agenda for the second term. it's a good thing they won't have a second term. they have been reduced to petty attacks and silly word games. just watch this.

the obama campaign has become the incredible shrinking campaign. this is, this is a big country with big opportunities and great challenges and they keep on talking about smaller and smaller things. >> well, it's not just the candidates talking. there are some influential newspapers making pics. "the denver post" throwing endorsement behind president obama. writing that the president has shown "he is a steady leader who keeps the broad array of americans in line. its comments on the 47% of americans who refuse to take personal responsibility and care for their lives were telling insight into his views and a low point of the campaign. "the denver post" also endorsed president obama in 2008. another newspaper endorsement for the president. this one from "salt lake

tribune" the president has earned a second term. romney in whatever guise, does not deserve a first. "the orlando sentinel" comes out in support of the challenger endorsing mitt romney. the newspaper writes, "we have little confidence that obama would be more successful managing the economy and the budget in the next four years. for that reason, although we endorsed him in 2008, we are recommending romney in this race." the obama campaign announced a new record for the largest, single day of fund-raising. they raised the most money yet, even beating out 2008 campaign numbers. they're not giving exact numbers, but the campaign says they took in 18$1 million in total in september. with just 17 days until the big election, all eyes are focused on the ever-tightening polls in battleground states.

paul stein houser joins us now this morning. paul, good morning. you're looking at the new polls in florida and ohio. we're coming down to the wire here. what do we know? >> yeah, we sure are. florida, the biggest of the battleground states and take a look at this, this is our cnn/orc poll and conducted entirely after the debate on wednesday night. we were in the field wednesday and thursday in florida and look at these numbers. all tied up, mitt romney one point ahead of president obama and within the sampling here and it's, obviously, in a dead heat. the president 48%. on the right, those were the numbers back and late august before the conventions and before the debates and the president with a slight advantage. let's move over to ohio. another one of those states being heavily contested. this is a fox news poll also conducted entirely after the debate and in this poll, the president with a three-point advantage up in ohio but that is within the sampling era, again.

we keep talking about how close these races are in the battleground states. yeah, according to the polls, they are. >> no kidding. some new ads out by both campaigns trying to make a difference as we come down to the end here. tell us about those. >> the ads are interesting because you can learn a lot about a campaign from the ad as that they're running. take a listen. >> without president obama's rescue of the auto industry, ohio would have collapsed. >> mitt romney would have just let us go under. just let them go bankrupt. >> that's exactly what i said. the headline you read. >> you heard it all at the democratic convention and you heard the president talk about the auto bailouts and remember at the debate, he criticized mitt romney. they think this is a really winning issue in ohio and michigan. the romney campaign pushes back that mitt romney wanted to save the auto companies but he wanted a private structured bailout. here's a romney campaign commercial and brand-new one

just started running yesterday. take a listen to this. >> republicans and democrats both love america, but we need to have leadership. leadership in washington that will actually bring people together and get the job done. >> mitt romney talking about bipartisanship and this is a thing you've heard a lot from mitt romney lately. the obama campaign, of course, pushing back. you heard the president call mitt romney romnesia. they talk about bipartisanship and getting things done here in washington, randi. >> certainly getting even more exciting, paul. nice to see you. >> thanks. it is back. i'm talking about the etch-a-sketch as a campaign punchline. the line was made famous by a romney staffer about seven months ago, but the reference is not steal for vice president joe biden. >> that romney's plans have become awfully sketchy is the phrase the president's used. i'm reluctant to correct the

president. but i would respectfully suggest they're not sketchy, their a etch-a-sketchy. >> and paul ryan was back near the scene of the line. the 47% line, that is. ryan attended a fund-raiser hosted by leader on friday. private equity executive who was hosting a fund-raiser for mitt romney when they uttered the infamous 47% remark. donors paid $2,500 to attend a general reception and for $10,000 they earned a picture with the vice presidential candidate. we have much more ahead this hour. >> here's what's coming up. new documents about the attack on benghazi, published on the web. republicans say they offer transparency, but democrats warn the sensitive information could endanger lives. they're the 8% to 10% who may decide the election.

all morning, we're putting the uncommitted voter in focus. the pennsylvania voter i.d. law was struck down, so, why are these still up? we'll go live to that swing state to explain. hmm, it says here that cheerios helps lower cholesterol

as part of a heart healthy diet. that's true. ...but you still have to go to the gym. ♪ the one and only, cheerios since ameriprise financial was founded back in 1894, they've been committed to putting clients first. helping generations through tough times. good times. never taking a bailout. there when you need them. helping millions of americans over the centuries. the strength of a global financial leader. the heart of a one-to-one relationship. together for your future. ♪

good morning, washington, d.c. look at that beautiful picture of the capital building there. lights are on. maybe folks are already hard at work this morning. glad you're with us for "cnn saturday morning." with just 17 days to go until the election, we're focusing on a group of people who could be key to who wins. uncommitted voters. now, they're not necessarily undecided, but they're not set in stone. maria lopez reeves is a life-long democrat who worked on the hillary clinton campaign

four years ago, but now she has reservations, especially about the direction of medicare and she's leaning in a new direction. >> i was born in puerto rico. i grew up in miami and in new york and i spent my summers in puerto rico. we moved exactly a week ago. it's nice out here. there's a good mixture of everything. everybody lives out here. i hear spanish and so i'm accustomed to that. we're comfortable right now. i've always been a democrat. i worked on hillary's campaign and i truly believed in her, but i have my reservations right now. there's so much talk about redoing the system and cutting back on medicare and if they cut back any more, there won't be any more medicare. and it affects me because i'm on

medicare for my disability. i have been asthmatic since birth. i lost my hearing ten years ago and i wear a cochlear implant and i got sick in 1996 and i couldn't work. i contributed, like anybody else. i'm still in my 50s. i don't want to be without any health coverage come my 70s. mitt romney, i guess what drew me more to him was his religion, not per se religion, but his religious ideas and his family values and he's a family man. i hope he stands behind what he says. >> because i saw you -- >> and ryan, i just like his running mate and a lot of things that he stands for are not good. again, mostly medicare and the cutbacks and i'm hoping that, you know, mitt romney has a heart.

president obama, i gave him my vote because of hillary. she asked us to. i was hoping that because he was a family man, he had daughters that he would bring more, you know, more family values back to this country that we need so much. if a person wants to be gay, that's fine. that's their lifestyle. i don't want to be imposed on me or my family or children. i'm against abortion and, so, that would be a person that's republican. and i'm not. i'm a democrat. >> but for this election, i have to sit here and weigh both sides because i don't feel strongly about the democratic party any more. >> call it the romney -- >> more of our focus on the uncommitted voter in our next hour. we'll chat with two voters who

were front and center at tuesday's debate, including one who asked what the president has done to earn his vote this time around. lance armstrong breaks his silence. >> it's been an interesting couple of weeks. it's been a difficult couple of weeks. >> we'll tell you why the cycling champ can still count on support from some of his fans. sure wish you guys would bring layaway back.

actually... that way i could split my payments up into little bite-size chunks. i mean you feel me right? yeah. uh, sir... ah... [ male announcer ] shop now. and put it on layaway so you have more time to pay. walmart. i just finished a bowl of your new light chicken pot pie soup and it's so rich and creamy... is it really 100 calories? let me put you on webcan... ...lean roasted chicken... and a creamy broth mmm i can still see you. [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup. have led to an increase intands clinical depression.e you. drug and alcohol abuse is up. and those dealing with grief don't have access to the professional help they need. when you see these issues, do you want to walk away or step up? with a degree in the field of counseling or psychology from capella university, you'll have the knowledge to make

a difference in the lives of others. let's get started at capella.edu

welcome back. new charges of voter fraud in the swing state of virginia. a campaign worker is accused of throwing registration forms into the dumpster there. investigators say he worked for a private consulting firm. the sheriff says he threw out eight voter forms and they do not believe this is widespread. just three days before the final presidential debate, new controversy surrounding the september 11th attack on the u.s. consulate in benghazi. republican house oversight chairman darrell issa has released sensitive, but unclassified documents on libya. among the 166 pages are diplomatic cables from ambassador christopher stevens that reveal his now prophetic concerns. we'll dive deeper into the details in a few minutes. first professionally gay

boxer in history won his first match since coming out two weeks ago. the puerto rican bit his opponent in a a unanimous decision. he was touched by all the support. he hopes his big win earns him a chance at a world title fat. a storeied career in tatters among allegations of doping. >> that is the situation facing lance armstrong. >> it accuses the cyclist of having a prominent role in what the usada calls a sophisticated doping program. don explains how, despite the charges, some are sticking by the embattled athlete. >> reporter: he's been accused, disgraced and humiliated. but in his hometown of ostaen and within the cancer community, in particular, lancearmstrong is still very much loved. >> i've been better, but i've also been worse. thank you so much for your support. it means the world to me.

>> reporter: speaking publicly for the first time since she was ingu engulfed by a doping scandal. 14 days in which he has been branded as a cheat and a liar and dropped by almost all of his sponsors and forced to resign as chairman of his own charity, livestrong. you've been a proud supporter of this organization for many years. has anything changed for you in the last days? >> no, in the last days. an organization that was developed by somebody who has been an enormous inspiration to so many and to myself and an incredible amount of good and i expect it will continue. >> does it remain an inspiration, sir? >> yes, of course, he remains an inspiration. you know, i think anybody who is looking with a very clear eye at this would find themselves very hypocritical to think otherwise. >> reporter: sean penn is one of several hollywood a-listers supporting livestrong. a foundation that has raised

almost $500,000 and helped 2.5 million people worldwide since 1997. but some of armstrong's donors have told cnn they now want their money back. and the foundation might find that armstrong's continued involvement does more harm than good. >> the interesting thing, if you interview 1,800 people tonight, probably 1,800 will tell you to use the phrase, which is not about the bike. it's not about lance, but for all of us and the cancer support program. >> victor and randi, lance armstrong as you know has been humiliated but among supporters, he remains very much loved. they're trying to prevent fraud in the election booth, but critics say their effort are unfairly targeted and possibly intimidating certain voters. here's the question, who are they?

those little things still get you. for you, life's about her. but your erectile dysfunction - that could be a question of blood flow. cialis tadalafil for daily use helps you be ready anytime the moment's right. you can be more confident in your ability to be ready. and the same cialis is the only daily ed tablet approved to treat ed and symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently or urgently. tell your doctor

about all your medical conditions and medications, and ask if your heart is healthy enough for sexual activity. do not take cialis if you take nitrates for chest pain, as this may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. do not drink alcohol in excess with cialis. side effects may include headache, upset stomach, delayed backache or muscle ache. to avoid long-term injury, seek immediate medical help for an erection lasting more than four hours. if you have any sudden decrease or loss in hearing or vision, or if you have any allergic reactions such as rash, hives, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, stop taking cialis and get medical help right away. ask your doctor about cialis for daily use and a 30-tablet free trial. your soups are so awesomely delicious my husband and i can't stop eating 'em! what's...that... on your head? can curlers! tomato basil, potato with bacon... we've got a lot of empty cans. [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup.

mortgage rates dip to another record low this week. we're back in 60 seconds. wait for it... wait for it... [ dog ] you know, i just don't think i should have to wait for it! who do you think i am, quicken loans? ♪ at quicken loans, we won't make you wait for it. our efficient, online system allows us to get you through your home loan process fast. which means you'll never have to beg for a quick closing. one more way quicken loans is engineered to amaze. bonkers, look at me when i'm talking to you.

[ male announcer ] unisom helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep. so i wake up rested. [ male announcer ] unisom. fall asleep faster. sleep longer. just about the bottom of the hour now. i'm randi kaye. >> i'm victor blackwell. we'll start this half with the five stories we're watching this morning. first up, president obama is at camp david and romney is in florida and both preparing for the last presidential debate set for monday night in boca raton, florida. the stakes could not be higher. polls show the race is getting

tighter, especially in florida, where the candidates are tied in recent polls. number two, tensions are high in lebanon today after a deadly car bombing, which killed three and injured more than 100. gunfire erupted in beirut and enraged citizens blocked roads and burned tires after the blast. protest also turned violent in other cities where locals blame the syrian government for that attack. and our third story malala yousefzai, the pakistani school activist shot in the head by taliban is showing signs of a remarkable recovery. standing in her hospital room and communicating through writing and she's not speaking yet and doctors do point out she's not of the woods yet either. joe walsh from illinois clarified his controversial comments on abortion. he previously said he's prolife with no exception and the exception of the life of the mother is just an excuse for an

abortion. here's his clarification. why i do not support abortion, i do support medical procedures for women during their pregnancies that might result in the loss of the unborn child when such an occurrence takes place. that is a very difficult decision and one that should be left up to the mother and her family. finally, in detroit, a rash of shootings has drivers there on edge. since last tuesday, at least 15 people have been shot at by an unknown suspect. most of the shootings have occurred along interstate 96. no one has actually been injured. police are looking for a suspect. 15 cars shot out this week. three counties and most along interstate 96 corridor, but some along surface road seem random. >> everything that's happening there, it's pretty bad. >> let's talk about ohio, wisconsin, scary for some of the people who are running for president and vice president because they need these states, battlegrounds in the 2012 presidential election. >> not only for pren