susan mcginnis covering it all in washington this morning. susan, good morning to you. >> reporter: back on the campaign trail mitt romney is trying to prolong the momentum that he got from that debate, president obama is seemed determined to make up for lost ground. romney's solid debate performance gave him a new spark on the. campaign trail. before an estimated 10,000 people in virginia he kept up his attacks on the president. >> what you didn't hear last night from the president why it is the next four years will be better than the last four years. >> reporter: the obama campaign admits it needs a change in strategy for the next two debates. president obama held back from attacking romney during the debate but that chang when he returned to the campaign trail. >> i almost got to watch out. >> reporter: the president attacked romney's plan to cut subsidies to pbs and his position was so different from what he said in the past he didn't recognize who he was debating. >> whoever was on stage last night doesn't want to be held accountable for

in rehobeth beach delaware, susan mcginnis. back to you. >> thanks, susan. >>> more than 100 california air guards men and women are headed to the east coast to assist with hurricane sandy and the rescue effort out there. >> cbs 5 reporter alisa harrington is life at moffett with how they plan to provide relief for those in need. >> reporter: they're geared up and ready to go. very noisy out here. you're looking at three m-130s and a c17 air prop. they've been loading the helicopters. they are putting a helicopter into that c17. and they will be used for widespread efforts on the east coast as it gets slammed by hurricane sandy. more than 100 guards men and women from the 129th rescue wing are taking part in this mission. after leaving moffett field, they will land in charlotte, north carolina. from there, crews, including guardian angel air and rescue teams will disburse where never they are needed. they won't fly directly into the heart of the storm but will go where they can and help where there is flooding. they're bringing

susan mcginnis is in washington with more on all of this morning.good morning. >> reporter: good morning. both presidential candidates are spending every minute they can in the battleground states that hold those crucial electoral votes. some comments from a senate candidate interrupted both campaigns. 13,000 people packed a las vegas park for a late night rally featuring president obama and katie perry. ♪ it's part of a 40 hour six state campaign swing. >> we're pulling an all nighter. no sleep. if you're not going to sleep you might as well be in vegas. >> reporter: the president campaigns in florida and virginia today. he'll campaign in chicago and finish the night in ohio. >> ohio could well be the place that elects the next president of the united states. >> reporter: mitt romney will focus entirely on ohio today with rallies in cincinnati and the columbus area. romney says he's gaining ground in the polls because he believes the president has no plan for a second term. >> they've been unable to defend and describe what they do to get our econo

susan mcginnis is in washington with more. susan, good morning to you. >> reporter: the president enters the final month before the elections within reach of the number of electoral votes needed to win but he continues to battle criticisms over how the white house handled last month's attack in benghazi, libya. more than 11,000 people packed a high school in las vegas sunday night to listen to president obama. >> stand with me and work with me, we'll win clark county again. we'll win nevada again. we'll win this election again. >> reporter: it was the president's last scheduled appearance before the first presidential debate on wednesday. like his opponent, he's trying to lower expectations. >> i know folks in the media are speculating already on who is going to have the best zinger. governor romney is a good debater. i'm just okay. >> reporter: mitt romney heads to colorado today for his last minute cram session. romney fit in another rehearsal after church in boston on sunday. he's been practicing since june. while many belie

susan mcginnis has more across the delaware bay. susan, what a night. >> reporter: it's a mess. the shore of delaware has come alive again. people are out and about surveying the damage. there are lots of surfers out here today and the clean-up has begun. some 45,000 people here without power but new jersey is the hardest hit where the center of the storm came ashore. homes have moved off their foundations, this one crashed into the house next to it. the massive damage from sandy can be seen all over long beach island. homes under water boats piled up. >> the level of devastation at the jersey shore is unthinkable. >> reporter: the national guard is helping people escape the floodwaters in northern new jersey. about half a foot remained after a tidal surge left three towns under water. >> this is the worst we have seen it but we're fine. >> reporter: search-and-rescue teams are also fanned out across atlantic city looking for people who didn't make it out before sandy made landfall last night triggering a record- breaking storm surge. >> we had waves as high as the light poles d

susan mcginnis is in washington with more. >> reporter: the president enters the final month before the elections within reach of the number of electoral votes needed to win but he continues to battle criticisms or how the white house handled last month's attack in been ganghazi, libya. people packed a high school sunday night to listen to president obama. >> stand with me and work with me, we'll win clark county again. we'll win nevada again. we'll win this election again. >> reporter: it was the president's last scheduled appearance before the first presidential debate on wednesday. like his opponent, he's trying to lower expectations. >> i know folks in the media are speculating already on who is going to have the best zinger. governor romney is a good debater. i'm just okay. >> reporter: mitt romney heads to colorado today for his last minute cram session. romney fit in another rehearsal after church in boston sunday. he's been practicing since june. while many believe wednesday's debate is a must-win for romney, his running mate paul ryan says this will not be a defining moment. >>

susan mcginnis reports from norfolk, virginia. >> reporter: virginia mothers andrea mcclellan and susany are targets for mitt romney and president obama. >> being a woman is not a pre-existing condition. >> this president has failed america's women. >> reporter: mcclellan who used to work for a fortune 500 company said she doesn't have a clear picture of romney. >> women's issues are very important. with regard to the economy i think obama has a better plan. >> reporter: this mother of three believes the president's affordable care act will help lower costs for women and concerned about the gop's stand on abortion. >> it's an issue out of "mad men." are we in 2012? why are we talking about these things? this is my mother's generation not my generation. >> reporter: president obama holds a comfortable lead among women in virginia but recent polls shows romney is closing the gap in battleground states susan lily is voting for romney. she believes his economic plan will mean more opportunity for women. >> i think bringing economic freedom to as many people as possible is the best way to do

susan mcginnis has more. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning. the election is 11 days away, but right now both candidates are working hard to get vote -- voters to the polls before november 6th. president obama cast his early ballot in chicago as he tried to boost turnout before election day. >> all of you who have not yet early voted i just want everybody to see what an incredibly efficient process this was. >> reporter: it's a strategy the president's team will hope give it an edge in battleground states that will likely decide the election. the president wrapped up a 40 hour tour through four of those competitive states with a rally last night in cleveland. >> i need you, ohio. america needs you, ohio. >> reporter: ohio is also where mitt romney focused his day making three campaign stops. >> the obama campaign is slipping because he's talking about smaller and smaller things. despite the fact that america has such huge challenges and this is such an opportunity for america and that's why on november 6th i'm counting on ohio to vote for big c

susan mcginnis in washington. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. there is no denying the importance of ohio with its large number of electoral votes and right now evenly split. it looks like, you know, whichever side toes a better job of getting out the vote can go a long way towards a win. enthusiasm for the election is building and the crowd at campaign rallies are getting bigger. more than 12,000 people turned out at the red rock amphitheater in the battleground state of colorado tuesday to hear mitt romney and paul ryan. >> we're on the homestretch now. and i think the people of colorado are going to get us all the way there. what do you think? >> reporter: across the country, president obama and vice president biden played to another packed house. >> here in ohio you can vote early. here in ohio you can vote right after this event. >> reporter: the president kicks off a six state tour today that ends with him casting his own early ballot in chicago tomorrow. mitt romney will work the west and midwest with an early afternoon rally in nevada fol

the national weather service is warning of widespread impacts from that storm and susan mcginnis is live from the coast of delaware. good morning, susan. how is it out 24r? >> reporter: ann, good morning. well, 64 million people, that's 1 in 5 americans lie in the path of this storm. folks on the shore of delaware are among those folks. this area is one of the targets where the storm could make that left turn before joining thousand wintery weather systems and turn into a mega storm. from the carolinas. >> we've brought everything in that the wind can move. >> reporter: to new england. the entire eastern seaboard is keeping an eye on the news for the latest on sandy. >> we watch it by the hour. >> reporter: sandy is a big storm, with winds greater than 58 miles an hour expected throughout much of the east coast. >> because the sheer size of this storm, it's been pushing an enormous amount of water along. >> reporter: and experts are warning folks to tacet seriously and start prepare -- take it seriously and start preparing. >> probably 40% of the population of the united states could be

in rehoboth beach, delaware, susan mcginnis. >> officials in new york city aren't taking any chance. last night the mass transit system was shut down. second time in history new york subway has been suspended for weather reasons. bus and commuter rail service was halted. at grand central the doors were locked. the usually bustling floor of the massive train terminal was empty. the final train departing a few minutes after 7:00. and we go to battery park, an area under mandatory evacuation orders. >> reporter: good morning. it's not the rain or wind that's causing so much concern here it's the possibility of a storm surge that could reach up to 11 feet. officials say that would be enough to swamp low-lying areas of the city, flood subway tunnels and knock out power to thousands. new york mayor michael bloomberg ordered mandatory evacuations in flood prone areas. forcing 375,000 people to seek temporary shelter. >> if you don't evacuate you're not putting your own life in danger but endangering our first responders. >> reporter: the storm surge could send the hudson river tumbling into

in washington, susan mcginnis, cbs news. >> wusa9 is your go to debate station. if you just want the facts and no spin, this is where you need to be. we're teaming up with our media partner "u.s.a. today" to fact check everything the candidates say in real time. keep the tv on channel 9 to watch the debate. it starts at 9:00 p.m. and log on to wusa9.com, live fact checking in real time. stay with 9news at 11:00 for accurate debate coverage. >>> taxes for nearly nine out of ten americans will rise by an average of $3500 a year if congress doesn't avert the so- called fiscal cliff. a study by the tax policy center finds the average tax bill will go up by 20% in 2013 if lawmakers allow a lift of cuts to expire at the end of the year. economists warn the tax cuts combined with automatic spending cuts could throw the fragile u.s. economy back into a recession. >>> next month maryland voters will decide whether or not hundreds of students can afford to go to college. critics claim the dream act rewards illegal immigrants by giving them in state tuition rates. >> but su

in washington, susan mcginnis, cbs 2 news. >> romney will stay in colorado today while the president continues debate prep. necessary henderson, nevada. >>> and cbs -- he is in henderson nevada. >>> and cbs 5 will have live coverage. debate starting at 6 p.m. tomorrow. >>> 4:41. airline seats coming unbolted in midair. how pilots are dealing with the in flight emergency. >> plus a killer speaks out 10 years after the deadly sniper attack in washington, d.c. what he wishes he could say to the victims' families now. coming up. >>> and a 10-year-old joyride all caught on tape. how amazing that no one got hurt. ,,,,,,,,,,,, police in philadelphia say e driver was just 10 y >>> take a look at this video every an out-of-control van. police in philly say the drive was only 10 years old. the boy allegedly grabbed keys hanging from the rear door as furniture was being unloaded. there he is. he then jumped in and took off hitting five cars on a single block. he now faces several juvenile counts including unauthorized use of an automobile. he needs a few lessons, i guess. >> he is in a lot of t

susan mcginnis is live on the coast of delaware and susan. the winds have looked to have picked up in just the last hour. >> reporter: it certainly has ann and phil. the winds have picked up over the past several hours. we have been out here for nine hours and the intensity is increasing. the rain and tides. you can see how big the waves are compared to what we showed you yesterday. the waves are crashing closer in and it is hard to believe the brunt of the storm is still more than a day away. driving rain from hurricane sandy is coming in this morning. but officials are not expecting major damage. >> the track has improved in our favor here. >> reporter: bulldozers, and residents, are piling up the sand along if jersey shore. millions are bracing for hurricane sandy, a massive storm that is taking aim at the most densely populated region of the us. >> really the first time a hurricane has been at our doorstep, so, i am taking this seriously. >> reporter: sandy is still offshore heading north. forecasters believe it will turn toward land and

as susan mcginnis reports romney is now talking about a topic which never came up at wednesday night's debate. >> reporter: mitt romney now says he was wrong when he said 47% of americans feel entitled to government handouts and don't take responsibility for their lives. he previously called his comment inelegant but defended it. however, last night, romney told fox news -- >> reporter: romney's solid debate performance gave him a new spark on the campaign trail. before an estimated 10,000 people in virginia, he kept up his attacks on the president. >> what you didn't hear last night from the president is why it is the next four years are going to possibly be better than the last four years. >> reporter: the obama campaign admits it needs a change in strategy for the next two debates. president obama held back from attacking romney during the debate but that changed when he returned to the campaign trail. >> i almost got to watch out. >> reporter: the president attacked romney's plan to cut subsidies to pbs and he said romney's positions were so different from what he said in the past

susan mcginnis is in washington. >> reporter: the two candidates spent largely out of the public eye intensively preparing for tonight, the president up at camp david, mitt romney in florida. no one would have predict this final debate that isn't even focus don't my could be this critical to the outcome. the stage is set for the third presidential debate. >> this debate matters more than ever before. >> reporter: tonight's focus, foreign policy and there's no shortage of issues. >> after a decade of war, both in afghanistan and iraq, the most important thing we have to do now is bring american troops home. >> imposing sanctions on the iranians. >> we'll do nothing without coordinate be with israel. >> reporter: on sunday, marco rubio said president obama said he tried to keep the focus on the death of bin laden. >> they told us the incident in libya was an uprising. >> reporter: campaign officials say it's not their candidates who playing politics. >> while the flames were burning in benghazi, mitt romney was sending out press releases. >> reporter: president obama holds a lead going

susan mcginnis is in washington. >> reporter: first debates get the most attention of all of them and the first 30 minutes are said to be the most important. president obama needs to hold on to the momentum he's built. mitt romney needs to turn the entire race around with tens of millions of people watching tonight. the stage is built. the cameras are in place. and the candidates are in their final hours of preparation. mitt romney took a break from his rehearsal to grab a burrito bowl at chipotle. president obama visited hoover dam. when we arrive at the university of denver tonight they will face questions about the economy. there will be six segments 15 minutes each and the first three are devoted entirely to the economy. >> i want to repeal obama care and replace it with something that will get the costs under control. >> reporter: how romney will replace the president's hearth plan could be part of the fourth segment which is devoted health care. the final two segments will cover the role of government and governing. with mitt romney and president obama in the final hours of prep

susan mcginnis has the latest. >> reporter: president obama cast his early ballot in chicago as he tried to boost turnout before election day. >> for all of you who have not yet early voted, i just want everybody to see what an incredibly efficient process this was. >> reporter: it's a strategy the president's team is hoping will give it an edge in battleground states that will likely decide the election. the president wrapped up a 40- hour tour through four of those competitive states with a rally last night in cleveland. >> i need you, ohio. america needs you, ohio. >> reporter: ohio is also where mitt romney focused his day making three campaign stops. >> the obama campaign is slipping because he's talking about smaller and smaller things despite the fact america has huge challenges and that this is such an opportunity for america. that's why on november 6 i'm counting on ohio to vote for big change. >> reporter: no republican has ever won the white house without carrying ohio. that has both sides staging aggressive campaigns there to convince voters to cast their ballots now. >> we w

susan mcginnis is in washington with more on all this. good morning to you. >> good morning. the candidates are spending every minute they can in battleground states that hold those crucial electoral votes. meanwhile, some comments by a republican senate candidate have interrupted both campaigns. 13,000 people packed a las vegas park for a late night rally featuring president obama and katy perry. ♪ >> it is part of a 40-hour, six-state campaign swing. >> we are pulling an all-nighter, no sleep. if you are not going to sleep, you might as well be in vegas. >> reporter: the president campaigns in florida and va v.a. he will vote in his hometown of chicago and finish the night in ohio. >> ohio could well be the place that elects the next president of the united states. >> reporter: mitt romney will focus entirely on ohio with rallies in cincinnati and columbus. he says he is gaining ground in the polls because he believes the president has no plon for a second ternl. >> they have been unable to describe what they are going to do to get our economy going again. that's why on nov

susan mcginnis, cbs news, washington. >> if you don't like either mitt romney or president obama in this election, a third party may be an op. candidates from the lib tear january, green, constitution and -- libertarian, green, constitution and justice departments are on the ballot in most states. >>> richard murdoch made some comment abouts abortion and rape during a debate last night which did not sit so well with g.o.p. leaders. the republican said when a woman gets pregnant as a result of rape, that it is, quote, something god intended. his opponent said he doesn't believe god would intend that to happen. murdoch later said that god doesn't contend rape but god controls life and only god has the right to take a life. mitt romney issued a statement saying he disagrees with his comments. >>> one of the most watched races in our region as we've been telling you involves maryland's sixth congressional district. long time republican stronghold is now a whole lot bluer due to redistricting. this is what the district used to look like and this is what it looks like now. the new boundaries c

. >> reporter: susan mcginnis, cbs news, washington. >>> foreign policy will be the focus of the last presidential debate which is scheduled for october 22 in florida. bob schieffer will moderate that. >>> two americans are dead following a fight between u.s. and afghan forces. a soldier and a contractor were killed in that fight. nato has classified the incident asen insider attack. this weekend's death raises the american toll in the afghanistan war to 2000 u.s. service members who have been killed since the invasion in 2001. most u.s. and foreign troops are scheduled to be out of afghanistan by the end of 2014. >>> the supreme court starts a new session today. a number of big cases are going to be considering moving on throughout the year. they're including issues related to same-sex marriage, privacy issues related to d.n.a. evidence, and yesterday six out of the nine justices attended an annual red mass at st. catholic's cathedral. during the homily, they warned the justices not confuse what's popular with what's best for society. >>> if you have to go through downtown d.c., you

in washington, susan mcginnis, cbs news. >> what are the facts and what you're hearing tonight is going to be just spin? we'll sort it all out for you this evening as we fact check the candidates in real time as they speak. we're teaming up with our partners at "u.s.a. today." we'll get the job done together. it starts at 9:00 p.m. on wusa9.com. we'll live stream the debate there on our website and be sure to watch 9news now at 11:00 for the most accurate debate coverage. >>> if you're not being avoiced from all the political signs clogging the medians of the virginia highways, there's a reason for that. there's not there anymore. lawmakers got rid of the law which used to allow the signs. right now not even political signs are allowed along public roads. >> too many. you get a little annoyed. >> looks like a lot of chaos. >> they can cause sight distance problems. it's not safe and it's costly for the county to have to clean them up. >> springfield supervisor pat harrity hopes fairfax county can reach an agreement with vdot which will allow the county to enforce the law. the fine is $1

susan mcginnis joins us live. >> reporter: good morning. everybody is getting sick of these polls.is what they show that the president has within reach the 270 electoral votes needed to win. he is still coming under lots of criticism over handling of foreign affairs >> more than 11,000 people packed a high school in las vegas sunday night to listen to president obama. >> we'll win nevada again. we'll win this election against. >> last scheduled appearance before the first presidential debate on wednesday. >> governor romney he's a good debater. i'm just okay. >> romney fit in another rehearsal after church in boston on sunday. he's not practicing since june. his running mate paul ryan says this will not be a defining moment. >> i don't think one event is going to make or break this campaign. >> parentally not everyone got the memo to downplay expectations >> thursday morning you are going to be scratching your heads and say wow we have a barn burner for the next 33 days. >> wednesday's debate will focus on domestic issues including the economy. romney is talking more about foreign

susan mcginnis has more. >> reporter: more than 11,000 people packed a high school in las vegas sunday night to listen to president obama. >> with' win nevada again -- we'll win nevada again. >> reporter: it was the president's last scheduled appearance before the first presidential debate on wednesday. >> governor romney, he's a good debater. i'm just okay. >> reporter: romney fit in another rehearsal after church in boston on sunday. he's been practicing since june. his running mate paul ryan says this will not be a defining moment. >> i don't think one event is going to make or break this campaign. >> reporter: but apparently not everyone got the memo to downplay expectations. >> thursday morning you're all going to be scraffing your heads saying -- scratching your heads saying wow, we have a barn burner the next 30 days. >> reporter: the last -- the debate will focus on the economy. in an op-ed, romney has said the president has shown weakness in the middle east. he says president obama has heightened the prospect of conflict and instability. he does not understand that an american

suetion mcginnis has the latest from the coast of delaware. good morning, susan. >>> reporter: good morning. there is no doubt this storm is coming closer. here on the beach of delaware, the waves are getting larger and stronger and crashing closer to shore. we have the winds intensifying and is it raining at times. it is clear that sandy is on her way. north carolina is getting a taste of hurricane sandy's fury morning. there is driving rain and high surf, but officials are not expecting major damage. >> track has improved in our favor. >>> reporter: bull dozers and residents are piling up the sand along the jersey shore. millions are bracing for hurricane sandy, a massive storm that is taking aim at the most densely populated region of the u.s. >> the first time a hurricane has been at our doorstep. >> sandy is still offshore heading north. forecasters believe it will turn toward land and possibly merge with a wintry storm system from the west. >> we should not underestimate the impact of this storm or assume the predictions will be wrong. >> people in sandy's