Good evening on this monday, and this is the night. As we come on the air the last debate, the final test. Which man is the strongest leader on the world stage . And there is the stage for the two candidates, the president ial candidates in boca raton, florida, and ready. They will be sitting near each other, very near each other as a new abc News Washington post poll shows they are in a dead heat. The numbers right there. With just 15 days to go until americans get to the poll, its your voice, your vote and our team is on the ground in boca raton tonight. Abcs jake tapper leading us off, jake. Reporter good evening, diane. Thats right. It is crunch time. This is the last chance both candidates have to deliver their messages directly to tens of millions of voters, unfiltered and as the new abc News Washington post indicates it is either mans to lose. President obama arrived in Palm Beach County this afternoon where skies are blue but a debate storm is brewing. Mitt romney seems to have some momentum, but our poll underscores a problem for him. One of the reasons this race remains so tight a majority of voters continues toty a president romney would favor the wealthy rather than the middle class. What hes selling is not a fivepoint plan. Its really just a onepoint plan. Folks at the top get to play with a different set of rules than you do. Reporter by contrast, 66 of voters think the president has done more to favor the middle class over the wealthy, and a majority says he better understands the economic problems people in this country are having. Though some good news for romney. Overall, he has a slight numerical edge in who voters trust to handle the economy. We cannot endure four more years, thats why well replace him in 18 days. Reporter the president also highlights the largest gender gap weve seen in this election. The president has a 14point lead among women. When it comes to issues critical to women, governor romney wants to take us to policies more suited to the 1950s. Reporter romney has a 12point advantage among men. He took time out for debate prep to coach a flag Football Game in delray beachch. Figure out whichf the players are best and take them out early. Reporter if only women voted it would turn it into a landslide. While if only men romney would cut a stomping swath of reaganesque red. But the world doesnt look like that so thats why its so close. One thing to keep in mind, the debates have helped mitt romney. Our poll indicates 37 of voters say they have a more favorable impression of mr. Romney because of his performance in the previous two debates. Diane . All right, jake, youll be there watching tonight. Now well go straight to david muir who will be there as well covering the romney campaign. David, what about the preparation for tonight . Reporter hey, diane, great to see you. Headed over to the debate hall a short time ago with a key Romney Adviser sitting in all the prep and told me the biggest test of the night for governor romney is meeting the command in chief stleshhold and try to do that in front of millions trying to do it on the stage. Look over my shoulder. A lot different than last weeks debate sitting at that table which, by the way, is the same table the Vice President ial candidates, the same desk they sat at just a couple of weeks back. Take a look at this picture that was tweeted out today by mitt romneys body man as they call him, travels with h everywhere. He said the stage is set for tonights debate. The governor sits at the desk. They wont be toe to toe, dancing around each other and, in fact, you could expect the governor to expect the call that took out bin laden was the right daal but jabs tonight and one final thought hell try to draw distinctions when it comes to Foreign Policy but i got to tell you after sitting down with the governor several times on the campaign trail that will be tricky because often what he has said about iran, about afghanistan, would seem to mirror the obama administration. Well look for those in the hall tonight. David, thank you. As we said this debate is about leadership on the world stage. So many flash points and i want to turn to abcs Senior Foreign Affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz is here. As you know, she moderated a Vice President ial debate at that desk. That very table. That very table. And anchor of Good Morning America and this week, george stephanopoulos, welcome. Martha, what will you be looking for tonight. What david was talking about, that commander in chief. That leadership. Weve seen barack obama in that role for four years, but governor romney really needs to show some leadership. Also, there really isnt that much difference this their positions but i want to be looking for iran. Iran as we saw over the weekend, there may be some negotiations going on behind the scenes. Would governor romney negotiate or go to war . George, you watching, everybody at home. This is a Foreign Affairs one. Particularly at the beginning of the debate where theyre talking about americas role in the world. Look for both men to go back to their core arguments about the economy. For the president to reinforce his advantage that jake talked about earlier focusing on the middle class and building the strengthening the economy and for mitt romney to say simply we can do better in the economy than weve done in the last four years so even though its a Foreign Policy debate back to the big issues. Introduce the economy and as many answers as they can, george, martha, youll both be here tonight as george and i and the abc News Political Team watch the final showdown with you, the candidates debate 9 00 p. M. Eastern, 6 00 pacific. And now we move on to something at the top of minds for so many voters, the price of gasoline and tonight we see a dramatic drop in gas prices across the country. The new National Average now 3. 69 a gallon. That is a drop of 13 cents in one week. The largest this nation has seen in four years and drivers in the midwest saw the biggest drop of all, the average price of a gallon of gas in the midwest has gone down 20 cents in one week to 3. 49 a gallon. And next that mass shooting at a salon in wisconsin and the new details tonight about a woman, a wife who was living in terror. The gunman had a history of Domestic Violence. His wife begged for help. She got a restraining order. But tonight the 1 million women with restraining orders are would be dering what does it take to keep them safe. Alex perez has the story. Reporter xina haughton lived life in fear that her husband would kill her. He threatened to throw acid in my face and burn me and my family with gas she told investigators as she sought a restraining order. His threats terrorized my every waking moment. And as she talked to authorities she feared the protection would not be enough. He said he would kill me if i left him or even contacted the police. Her concerns became a tragic reality yesterday. He yelled everybody get down. Get down, and as i went to get down xina walked in front of the reception desk. Reporter stormed into the suburban milwaukee spa where she worked with a gun killing xina, two other women and then himself. Just four days ago the court issued the restraining order xina wanted after haughton slashed the tires to her car and reported by bought the gun using the shooting two days after that order came down. Haughton, an exmarine was supposed to voluntary turn over any weapons to police once the order was issued. But never did and because the order is a civil matter, the Sheriffs Department in Milwaukee County isnt even notified of newly issued orders unless a crime is committed. Although most cases of restraining orders work, then there are cases like this one. Sadly there are cases like this one that probably nothing could have stopped him. About a Million People a year have a Domestic Violence restraining order and women tend to take those out at a time when theyre trying to end the relationship. Reporter thats the time studies say when women are at the highest rick of being killed by an intimate partner. Exactly what happened to xina haughton. Alex perez, brookfield, wisconsin, abc news. Now Lance Armstrong and today the final chapter in his epic fall from grace. Once an american hero, now officially stripped of his seven Tour De France titles and tonight armstrong is facing an avalanche of lawsuits. What does the sports legend do now . Abcs Neal Karlinsky with that story. Reporter seven golden moments on the victory podium in paris, erased. Today, Lance Armstrong was officially banished from the sport that he was once synonymous with. Lance armstrong has no place in cycling and he deserves to be forgotten in cycling. Reporter over the weekend, a few stoic words from a shellshocked armstrong at his cancer foundations 15th anniversary. People ask me, how are you . And i tell them, well, ive been better but ive also been worse. Reporter armstrong has not only his reputation at stake, but his estimated 125 million net worth. Major civil cases are on deck. From a company that wants more than 10 million back for bonuses it paid to armstrong for his wins to a sealed whistleblower case looking for tens of millions paid by the u. S. Postal service to sponsor armstrong and his team. His intimidation was absolutely what allowed him to go for so long without more of these allegations coming out. Reporter those who went up against armstrong over the years say he kept the fairy tale alive by threatening anyone who raised the doping question. Former bicycling Magazine Editor in chief, steve madden now writes armstrong exerted a corleonelike influence in the cycling industry. He could make an advertiser disappear from our pages. Others say his cancer foundation, livestrong, was referred to as his cancer shield because it was used to fend off critics. I dont think its so much a shield. I think sometimes it feels like a weapon. Youre confronted with sort of the perception that if youre not prolance, then absurdly youre procancer. Reporter tonight, Lance Armstrong holds a new title he never wanted. One of the most epic falls from grace ever seen. Neal karlinsky, abc news, seattle. And now a note to thank the millions of americans who watched our hidden America Special on all the children trying to grow up amid the Gang Violence in some chicago neighborhoods. You told us the session with rival gang members past and present who put down weapons and agreed to meet with us made you think about similar problems in towns near you. And for all of you asking about, wow, that little boy who lost his grandmother to gun violence, the little ralph who lives in such fear, you should know he knows you care and told us today he just wishes his grandmother could have seen him on tv. And coming up, you know it as a big part of american life, turbocharged, highflying but those terrifying falls and stumble leads for an urgent call for a change in cheerleader for good. [ male announcer ] inside the v8 taste lab. Tomato, obviously. Haha. Theres more than that though, theres a kick to it. Theres a pop. Wahlalalalallala pepper, but not pepper, im getting like, peppepper. Its kind of like drinking a food thats a drink, or a drink thats a food, zip zip zip zip zip im literally getting zinged by the flavor. Smooth, but crisp. Velvety. Kind of makes me feel like a dah zing yah woooooh [ male announcer ] taste it and describe the indescribable. Couldve had a v8. Woooo but with advair, im breathing better. So now i can be in the scene. Advair is clinically proven to help significantly improve lung function. Unlike most copd medications, advair contains both an antiinflammatory and a longacting bronchodilator working together to help improve your lung function all day. Advair wont replace fastacting inhalers for sudden symptoms and should not be used more than twice a day. People with copd taking advair may have a higher chance of pneumonia. Advair may increase your risk of osteoporosis and some eye problems. Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high Blood Pressure before taking advair. If youre still having difficulty breathing, ask your doctor if including advair could help improve your lung function. Get your first full prescription free and save on refills at advaircopd. Com. And his new boss told him two things cook what you love, and save your money. Joe doesnt know it yet, but hell work his way up from busser to waiter to chef before opening a restaurant specializing in fish and game from the great northwest. Hell start investing early, hell find some good people to help guide him, and hell set money aside from his first day of work to his last, which isnt rocket science. Its just common sense. From td ameritrade. To take a centrum silver multivitamin every day. I told him, sure. Cant hurt, right . Then i heard this news about a multivitamin study looking at longterm Health Benefits for men over 50. The one they used in that study. Centrum silver. Thats what i take. My doctor he knows his stuff. [ male announcer ] centrum silver. The most recommended. Most preferred. Most studied. Centrum, always your most complete. Tonight in this fall sports season a call for action about something so much a part of every american community, cheerleading. A leading group of physicians has looked at the dramatic increase in trips to the emergency room by cheerleaders, with serious injuries and they say its time to change. Heres abcs cecilia vega. Reporter the day of big pompoms and long skirts are long gone. This is cheerleading today, acrobatic stunts that practically reach the ceiling. Flips nearly 20 feet in the air. But those nailbiting moves can carry dangerous consequences. Videos showing the injuries are all over youtube. Cheerleaders crash landing after stunts gone wrong, slipping from pyramids and tumbling out of control. [ audience oohs ] reporter competitive cheerleaders and sisters kasey and Kori Bronstein have been there. I tore my patella tendon on my right leg. I tore my acl then i tore my patella tendon one time before that. Reporter more than 37,000 cheerleaders went to the emergency room last year. Thats four times more than in 1980. The catastrophic injuries from all that tumbling and flipping rank second only to football. Thats why the American Academy of pediatric is pushing to reduce the risk on these daredevil stunts. S is pushing t reduce the risk on these daredevil stunts. It wants all high School Squads to limit those human pyramids to just two levels, dangerous stunts only done on soft surfaces like mats or grass and no more trampolines. Doctors also want cheering to be an official sport. That would mean official rules. Like limits on practice time. Mandatory physical exams and better trained coaches. Americas cheerleading governing body cheers many of the recommendations but there are also concerns. They didnt ask how some of these recommendations would affect cheerleading. Reporter the one thing everyone agrees on, its time to make cheerleading safer because as one cheerleader put it most athletes throw balls around, we throw other cheerleaders around. Whats harder to catch. So sell ya vega, abc news, los angeles. And coming up here, we know the songs he wrote. Imagine all the people now imagine a lost song by john lennon, was it a masterpiece. Thats next. Testing. 1. 2. Am i on the radio . You wouldnt want your doctor doing your job, hello. So why are you doing hers . Only your doctor can determine if your persistent heartburn is actually something more serious like acid reflux disease. Over time, stomach acid can damage the lining of your esophagus. For many, prescription nexium not only provides 24hour heartburn relief, but can also help heal acidrelated erosions in the lining of your esophagus. Talk to your doctor about the risk for osteoporosisrelated bone fractures and low magnesium levels with longterm use of nexium. 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But when its hard or hurts to go to the bathroom, theres dulcolax stool softener. Dulcolax stool softener doesnt make you go, it just makes it easier to go. Dulcolax stool softener. Make yourself comfortable. And now our instant index, people, pictures and quotes that captured our imagination. A new possibility, a white whale imitating human speech. Listen. [ whale noises ] scientists believe the whale named knox was raised in captivity, taught himself to imitate human sounds and tried to do it most often when human trainers were in the water near him so they believe, the scientists, that knox was trying to make contact from another world. Their findings are released today in the journal biology. From a song of the sea to a song weve never heard. John lennon lyrics crippled on a postcard. When a girl begins to be a problem, pretty soon the girl must go. When theyre gone you find at last you love them. Pretty soon you want to know. They were released in a new book and that work in progress was one lennon never had a chance to put to music. Imagination interrupted. And a person in the news tonight, Russell Means has died. He was a member of the sioux indian tribe and leaded an armed occupation 71 days and you know the name, wounded knee. Later, we saw him in the movies, there the elder alongside daniel daylewis in the last of the mohicans and said every man must be a warrior, fighting for a cause you believe in. He died from cancer at the age of 72. We do want to hear from you. Tell us which pictures, quotes and images capture your imagination. Tweet them to us, instantindex. Coming up are we taking a look at the future for all of us living small, really small. 47 inches of home sweet home. Well take you inside. [ male announcer ] this is anna, her long day teaching the perfect swing begins with back pain and a choice. Take advil, and maybe have to take up to four in a day. Or take aleve, which can relieve pain all day with just two pills. Good eye. I was skeptical at first. But after awhile even my girlfriend noticed a difference. [ male announcer ] rogaine is proven to help stop hair loss. And for 85 of guys, it regrew hair. Save up to 42 now at rogaine. Com. Its called passion. And its not letting up anytime soon. At unitedhealthcare insurance company, we understand that commitment. So does aarp, serving americans 50 and over for generations. So its no surprise millions have chosen an aarp dicare supplement insurance plan, insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company. Like all standardized Medicare Supplement plans, it helps cover some of what medicare doesnt pay. To find out more, call today. And finally tonight, were watching a trend here in america and around the crowded world. People ready to live in houses only a couple of feet wide. Abcs nick watt shows us life inside the micro home of the future. Reporter sick and tired of your cramped quarters. Then stretch out and look at this. A teeny sliver of 166 square feet, just 36 inches wide in places. Shaq might squeeze through the front door, but im thinking hed get stuck in that bathroom. Theres a table for two, cozy by candlelight. But a bed just for one. I think plenty of light is most important, says the experimental architect jakub szczesny. Designed for this guy, etgar keret, an israeli writer reclaiming his polish roots and how much space do we really need . The Tiny House Movement is gaining some traction. Heres the poster boy. This micro apartment in san francisco, toured by our own ceclia vega. You can almost in the bathroom reach something in the fridge. Reporter that place is just 150 square feet. The worlds population is exploding, were getting bigger. Will we soon be vacationing in japanesestyle capsule hotels, driving the miniscule peel p50, and stroking descendents of mr. Peebles, the worlds smallest cat . The average family home in the u. S. Is shrinking, but its still over 2,300 square feet. That 15 times the size of our polish pied a terre where a cat cannot be swung. Nick watt, abc news, los angeles. We want to remind tonight is the big showdown between president obama and mitt romney. George stephanopoulos and the entire Political Team along with i will be right here. Thank you for watching, and we will see you again soon