Despite a strong performance in the first Presidential Debate by Governor Mitt Romney's campaign, it appears as though President Barack Obama has once again gained a foothold on the polls. The Electoral College votes are currently showing Obama in the lead. With the election 17 days away and judging by the impact on the swing states that the President made in 2008, it may be difficult for Romney to regain his ground by Nov. 6.

Seemingly left behind by the McCain campaign in 2008, Michigan is a state that the Republican was looking to steal from Obama.  However, Obama's team has skillfully sold its people on his administration's bail out of the auto industry in Detroit. The latest Rasmussen poll from within the state shows Romney behind by seven points.

On a broader political scale, Real Clear Politics is naming 10 swing states that should have an impact on the 2012 Presidential Election.  Michigan aside, those states are Florida (27), Pennsylvania (20), Ohio (18), North Carolina (15), Virginia (13), Wisconsin (10), Colorado (9), Nevada (6), and New Hampshire (4).

While the last two debates between the candidates have concentrated primarily on domestic related issues, the final event will focus on questions pertaining to foreign policy. The respective topic is one that Romney had used to hone his attack on Obama's credibility regarding national security. 

The Governor previously stated his belief that the President both mis-managed the country in the wake of a terrorism attack on the U.S. Consolate in Libya that occurred on Sept. 11. In the second debate, Romney and Obama had faced off on the question in a political quarrel that saw moderator Candy Crawley correct the Governor on the wording used by the President in an earlier address.

The third and final debate will take place at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.  CBS News' Bob Schieffer will be on hand to moderate the event which will begin at 9 PM ET on Monday, Oct. 22.

Tags: presidential debate 2012 television President Obama mitt romney