let's get a quick preview now from stacey cohen. >> packed quite a political punch. president obama's lead evaporated following his weak performance. though his came plan has clearly changed. >> he is coming into this debate. he is energized. people can expect to see a passionate president obama delivering the case for why he has a better plan for the middle class. >> the president appeared confident as he headed for hemstead, new york, and the town hall debate. romney's challenge tonight, relating to every day americans. at hofstra, the candidates can sit, but they walk around and approach the audience. paul ryan has confidence. >> the only way the president thinks he can win is if he can convince you to dislike mitt romney, so he can win by default. >> this time the questions come from the crowd. the debate moderator is permitted to follow up. i'm stacey cohen reporting. >> once the debate is done, governor romney will go to virginia for appearances in chesapeake and leesburg tomorrow. his running mate spent the day stumping. he is scheduled to hold a second event

stacey cohen is live this morning in washington and when you think about holidays shopping to boot on all of that? vacations sometimes can get pretty stressful. >> reporter: i know charlie and it's a shame. we all need to get away from life nor a little white -- for a little while right? so i do have some tips so you can take that bucket list trip. here they are first you have to have a budget and a real budget. not one that just includes the travel and the lodging but figure in meals and tips and taxis and a little just in case cash. and when you have that budget, set up a travel savings account. skip the extra latte a day and put the money instead in your travel account and then you can pay cash for the fabulous trip. now, if that doesn't work for you, there's also travel layaway. believe it or not a lot of companies are doing there and one of the big companies sears actually has a whole website. they have about 100 trip listed on that right now so you can pay a little at a time for that fabulous vacation. if none of that works for you, there's always home swapping. yes, home swappi