Obama hits Romney on women’s issues

President Barack Obama hit rival Mitt Romney hard on women’s issues as he returned to the campaign trail after a spirited debate performance that re-energised his bid for a second term.

After a much-improved performance in the second of three presidential debates, a revitalised Obama carried on sparring with his Republican opponent — making fun of Romney’s comment he had received “binders full of women” to consider for cabinet positions when he was the governor of Massachusetts.

“I’ve got to tell you, we don’t have to collect a bunch of binders to find qualified, talented, driven young women ready to learn and teach in [science, technology, and engineering] right now. And when young women graduate, they should get equal pay for equal work,” Obama, relaxed and smiling in shirt sleeves and loosened tie, told 2,000 people at Cornell College in Iowa.

With 18 days to go until the election, Obama campaigned in Iowa and Ohio while Romney was in Virginia — all important “swing states” that can go to either candidate on Nov 6.

In Chesapeake, Virginia, Romney said Obama has failed to help women get well-paying jobs and also accused the president of failing to produce a second- term agenda.

“Don’t you think it’s time for them to finally put together a vision for what he’d do in the next four years if he were re-elected?” Romney asked about 3,500 supporters outside a college.

Romney scored points of his own during Tuesday’s debate when he focused on middle-class economic struggles and listed promises he said Obama failed to keep from his campaign in 2008.

Both sides claimed victory, but most polls gave a badly needed edge to Obama, who saw his lead in polls contract sharply after a lacklustre performance in the first debate on Oct 3.

The final presidential debate is scheduled for Monday in Boca Raton, Florida.

Obama leads Romney by 47% to 44% among likely voters, according to a Reuters/Ipsos daily online tracking poll. A Rasmussen Reports tracking poll of 11 swing states had Obama leading Romney by 50% to 47%.

Obama needs strong support from women voters if he hopes to beat the Republican, and made sure to appeal to them during the debate by bringing up contraceptive rights and his push to ensure pay equity.

Romney hit back by contending his business experience will help women, and all Americans, by bolstering the economy.

His campaign also released new television ads directed at women. One outlines his stance on abortion and contraception, which is more moderate than that of many Republicans.