Round two between President Obama and Republican rival Mitt Romney gets underway, watched closely by students at New York's Hofstra University.

Outside the auditorium where the debate was taking place, students gathered to watch.

With just weeks to go before the election, both candidates came out swinging, hoping to gain momentum in a tight race for the White House.

SOUNDBITE: NICK DESMOND, HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY STUDENT STUDYING PSYCHOLOGY AND CRIMINOLOGY, SAYING (English):

"I feel like Mitt Romney is a better choice for the economy because he's a businessman. I think he sure showed that today."

SOUNDBITE: ROBIN CHRISTIAN, HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY STUDENT STUDYING MARKETING, SAYING (English):

"Clearly it was Obama, clearly. I think he put forward his views. He said what his visions were."

Over in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, students seemed split down party lines.

Some welcomed a sharper Obama, after a disappointing performance in the opening debate.

SOUNDBITE: KYLE MASSLER, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STUDENT, SAYING (English):

"It was great to see Obama come out in full force. I think he came out and showed us what Campaign Obama looked like and he really wants to fight for the progress of our country."

SOUNDBITE: MATT PROSAK, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STUDENT, ON THE DEBATE FORMAT, SAYING (English):

"I have to say that Romney was more articulate. But, Obama had some more points that I think will stand up to fact checking and scrutiny better."

The final debate will be held on Monday (October 22), before America goes to the polls on November 6.