Undecided voters: What they want to hear in the presidential debate

Obama Romney rally supporters placards signs generic campaign election / CBS News/AP

The vast majority of voters have made up their mind about the presidential election, but tonight's debate caters specifically to those who haven't. The town hall-like format of the debate gives uncommitted voters in the audience, selected by Gallup, the chance to ask the candidates questions anything they want about domestic or foreign policy.

The format offers both risks and rewards for the candidates, in part because it's impossible to predict what your average uncommitted voter may have on his mind. For a hint of what may be in store, CBS News asked three uncommitted voters in battleground states what they want to hear in tonight's debate.  And we'll also follow up with these voters following the debate.

Lynn Zuercher

Lynn Zuercher, 63, Arlington, Va.: Cracking down on Wall Street; reversing the HHS mandate

"I'd like to hear about the banks, and I've heard very, very little conversation about the banking industry, the massive problems they've caused for the global economy, what kind of repercussions there are for them. People like [JPMorgan Chase President and CEO] Jamie Dimon seem to have the politicians in their pockets.

"It really distressed me to see how much power the financial sector and corporate America has over our policy. This is the other major issue -- the way corporate interests are controlling state governments. In the last presidential debate Mitt Romney numerous times kept saying, 'I think we need to turn this over to the states.' Very, very few people pay attention to state government, but the corporations are basically pulling the strings; they're basically funding whatever their agenda is. I'm very concerned about the influence they have, and we're talking all 50 states -- Pfizer, the Koch brothers, Exxon.

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Dickerson: Candidates need to be aggressive without going over the top

"I don't hear the president or Mitt Romney addressing those issues at all. I know which way I am leaning in terms of the election, but it really worries me, the game the radical Republicans are playing. I'd like to see the president go much more on the attack on that.

"Another issue I'd like to hear the president address is the [Health and Human Services] mandate" requiring most employers to offer health insurance plans that cover the cost of birth control.

"Isn't there another way for American women to obtain contraception other than through a religious employer? I'm really upset about that. This is an issue that affects our First Amendment rights.

"It seemed to me that the president was doing it to garner female votes, and as a woman, that bothers me. I've used contraception even though I'm a Catholic, and I understand the inequities of women having to pay for that. At the same time, I work at Georgetown University Hospital, and I would never expect them to offer a health plan to me that includes contraception. It goes totally against the philosophy, and I don't think it's right for the federal government to do that."

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[ButchGood]

What I want to here Is a Third, forth and fifth party. These Clowns can't be the best America has to offer. What are they afraid of....Never mind, I know exactly what they are afraid of. Compitition. This one party system funded by Goldman/Sachs is a travisty.

[pandakasalayil]

2nd debate actually shows what obama can bring to table for next 4 yars and how much more romney can lie about things just to get that poition. Romney problem is, he is not thinking what he said before or what he has to say. All he cares is that presidential position by trying to keep lying about everything to american people. If he has nothing to hide why dont he disclose his financial situation to all.

[Necroscope84]

ammo1

Actually why don't you ask Congress instead of Obama. They're the ones in charge of that. And everything in Congress starts with the House of Representatives run by the Republicans. Everything Begins with them. So if soemthing isn't being done it's because they refused to do it. The big banks/corporations didn't get into any trouble because they control The Republicans. Republicans have way too much self interest to interfere with them. They make alot of money either lobbying for them or working on special interest deals. Congress/Republicans are also the ones who refused to send more aid to Libya. They got the request, turned it down then when 4 Americans were killed they just shout Obama didnt help them and people buy into it because they do not take the time to learn how our Government truly works.

Republicans have caused every single problem we face today by obstructing Obama. That and George Bush's war mongering lies. Never did find any weapons of mass destruction did we?

They have had a 4 year plan to do everything and anything in their power to muck up the system, blame Obama for it so they can get their man elected. It's downright evil and unpatriotic. They are suppossed to represent us not themselves.

In other new Ryan/Romney go to a soup kitchen after they're closed and have cleaned up to do a photo op where Ryan pretends to clean already clean dishes. And nobody even invited them. The owners are very upset because not only was it rude but it could hurt the soup kitchen. They are not allied with any political body and this stunt could cause some of their donors not to donate anymore but do Romney/Ryan care? No, they got what they came for. If this is how they treat a Soup Kitchen then why does anyone believe they'll treat other America Businesses any differently? Especially the small businesses.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57532807/charity-president-paul-ryan-did-nothing-at-soup-kitchen-photo-op/

Also check out how Republicans really view the world. Written by one of their own:

http://memspoliticalscrapbook.blogspot.com/2012/09/like-myself-some-republicans-do.html

And Ryan, that story about how you nicknamed your kid bean was actually Kurt Cobains story verbatim

http://gawker.com/5951253/did-nirvana-fan-paul-ryan-steal-his-bean-anecdote-from-kurt-cobain

[mikesfilms]

Romney, most double-face politician in History. A liar? Yes, Newt Gingrich.
He was for the Stimulus before he was against it.
He was against the auto bailout before trying to take credit for their rescue.
He was for a woman's right to choose before he was against it.
He was for minimum wage before he was against it.
He was against returning to the Bush era before saying he was for it.
He was for Stem-Cell research before he was against it.
He didn't care about the 47% before saying he cared about the 100%.
He said corporations were people before saying they weren't.
He was against Obamacare before saying he liked the main parts of it before saying he was against it again.
He was for the TARP before he was against it.
He was for Roe v Wade before he was against it.
Hides his tax reports and offshore accounts.
Is he for or against the Nation?

[kiki418]

I get that Lynn Zuercher doesn't believe in birth control being offered, but just because it's offered, doesn't mean she has to take it. However, those that do want it and would use it, it should be made available to them. Just how far 'right' does the right expect us to go? Religious freedom is the freedom to practice RELIGION (of every kind) freely without government intervention. By trying to tie the government to religious values would be to interfer with that religious freedom. Simply making it available, or not illegal is not imposing a religious belief nor preventing a religious belief.

[ammo17]

i would like her to ask obama why not one ceo of the big mortgage companies or one wall street bank manager has not been prosecuted and put in jail for destroying millions of american lives with their corrupt banking and mortgage fraud.these people made bernie madoff seem like a petty thief.

[citizenusa-2009]

Also, when Romney declared that his 14% tax rate (as opposed to my current rate of 27%..and I earn less than $50K), is "fair", the American people should have reacted with a resounding "Oh, hell no!" Then, when he said that 47% of US are "takers", he should have then been viewed as useless as the former Repub nominee Sara Palin who made the same type of brainless and insensitive remarks. How seriously can you regard someone that obtuse??

[Mrs__T]

He followed existing tax laws, so if you are mad about what he paid in taxes you should be mad at Obama who was innchage of the existing tax laws.

[citizenusa-2009]

What I'd like to hear is what we are going to do to protect, serve and honor our VETS? A complete overhaul of the VA Benefits Administration is WAY OVERDUE. Our returning soldiers SHOULD NOT have to wait MONTHS AND MONTHS to receive the benefits that were PROMISED to them when they signed up to defend US!!!!

[magnumdr]

Undecided? If anyone has to work to get a paycheck to earn a living then YOU are a Democrat! The rich are the only ones that benefit from a Republican being in any office. Think about It!

[citizenusa-2009]

You are correct but incorrect when you assume that most of our citizens have a brain. Remember, they voted for the Bush Crime Family TWICE.

Only an idiot or a incredibly wealthy person (with holdings in oil and Haliburton perhaps) should be voting Republican, but unfortunately the idiots probably outnumber all of us combined.

[superdem1]

If you are undecided you obviously don't care about:

1. Women's rights (Obama FOR; Romney AGAINST)
2. MEDICARE (Obama FOR; Romney AGAINST)
3. Social Security (Obama FOR; Romney AGAINST)
4. Wall Street Regulations (Obama FOR; Romney AGAINST)
5. Environmental Regulations (Obama FOR; Romney AGAINST)
6. Affordable Health Care (Obama FOR; Romney AGAINST)
7. American Jobs at Livable Wages (Obama FOR; Romney AGAINST)

It goes on and on - this idiot woman who admits she's Catholic but uses contraception thinks her Catholic employer shouldn't have to offer contraception to non-catholic employees - HELLO ? The only "assault" on your faith was made by YOU - you don't follow your own Church's rules, so who cares what you think about your Church's rights ? The Government is trying to serve people like YOU, you are not getting into heaven by defending this institution's ridiculous rules, which even YOU dismiss. No wonder you don't know how to vote - you don't know how to LIVE.