Obama and Romney Offer a Possible Preview of Their First Debate

—Mitt Romney criticized President Obama in remarks broadcast on Sunday for refusing to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, during this week’s United Nations General Assembly meeting, saying it sends a message that the administration is distancing itself from an important Middle East ally.

“I think the exact opposite approach is what’s necessary,” Mr. Romney said on “60 Minutes.”

Mitt Romney spoke with “60 Minutes”

correspondent Scott Pelley in Boston

“60 Minutes” correspondent Steve Kroft spoke with

President Barack Obama at the White House

Mr. Obama, speaking in a separate interview on the same program on CBS, said he spoke frequently with Mr. Netanyahu and described Israel as “one of our closest allies in the region.”

He also challenged Mr. Romney, who has accused Mr. Obama of not standing up forcefully enough to Syria and Iran, to be more specific about his foreign policy plans. “So if Governor Romney is suggesting that we should start another war,” Mr. Obama said, “he should say so.”… (New Yorktimes. CBS…)