How the US election debates work
- Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will have three debates in the run-up to the 2012 US Presidential election.
- The first debate will take place in an ice hockey arena at the University of Denver, Colorado.
- Around 50 million Americans will watch today's 90 minute debate, which will focus on domestic policy and the state of the economy.
- On October 11 the solitary vice-presidential debate between Joe Biden and Republican candidate Paul Ryan will take place. They will focus on domestic and foreign issues.
- The second debate on October 16 in New York will give members of the general public a chance to quiz both men on domestic and foreign issues.
- The final debate six days later in Florida will concentrate on foreign policy.
- Obama currently leads in the polls.
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