- NEW: Romney campaign to unleash "robust" spending in final weeks of campaign
- NEW: Convention bounce deflates, Obama, Romney polling at August numbers
- Republicans step up criticism of Obama on Libya, Iran
- Chris Christie: "This whole race is going to be turned upside down come Thursday morning"
Washington (CNN) -- Republicans intensified their criticism of President Barack Obama's foreign policy on Monday, noting questions about his administration's slow-to-evolve accounting of last month's deadly attack on an American diplomatic post in Libya and the U.S. response to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney said in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece two days before he meets Obama in the season's first presidential debate that the United States could be brought into another fight if the turmoil in the Middle East is not calmed.
"We're not moving them in a direction that protects our people or our allies. And that's dangerous," Romney wrote, referring to current policy on Iran that he says puts Israel at risk.
What is driving your vote this year? Tell us what issues matter to you
"If the Middle East descends into chaos, if Iran moves toward nuclear breakout, or if Israel's security is compromised, America could be pulled into the maelstrom," Romney wrote.
His running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, separately criticized the Obama administration's response to the September 11 attack on the consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.
"If this event was an isolated incident that would be tragic enough," Ryan said. "Instead, it's really indicative of a broader failure of this administration's foreign policy and the crisis that is taking place across the Middle East.
He noted the revised account of what occurred at the consulate - first described as an attack that U.S. officials thought grew out of a spontaneous demonstration against an anti-Muslim film. The intelligence community said on Friday it now believes the attack was "a deliberate and organized terrorist assault carried out by extremists" affiliated or sympathetic with al Qaeda.
"We've seen a confused, slow, inconsistent response to what is now very clearly known as a terrorist act," Ryan said in a radio interview with Laura Ingraham on Monday.
Romney will continue to focus on foreign policy and the economy heading into Wednesday's debate with Obama in Denver, according to a campaign memo obtained by CNN and campaign advisers who spoke Monday on a conference call.
"Governor Romney will, over the next few weeks, crystallize the choice for voters on the issue of foreign policy and national security," said senior adviser Kevin Madden, adding that Romney would "lay out a stronger vision for American foreign policy based on the strong leadership that we need to shape world events and protect American interests and ideals."
First on CNN: Romney campaign to unleash 'robust' spending
The Romney campaign is planning to unleash "robust" spending in the final five weeks of the presidential election, a memo provided to CNN by a Republican source says.
"We will spend as much in paid advertising, direct mail, and field operations in the next five weeks as we have spent since becoming the presumptive nominee," the memo sent out by Spencer Zwick, the campaign's National Finance Chairman and Mason Fink, the campaign's National Finance Director.
The memo comes a week after a slew of polls show Romney behind in several key swing states.
The Romney campaign has been criticized for spending time on fundraising rather and keeping a light campaign rally schedule.
Poll: horse race for presidency neck and neck
A CNN/ORC poll released Monday shows the president and Romney in a very close contest for the White House.
Asked who they would vote for today, 50% of likely voters would cast a ballot for the president whereas 47% said they would opt for Romney - the difference, 3%, is within the margin of error.
Neither candidate shows an edge on the economy, which remains the top issue on the minds of Americans and which may dominate Wednesday night's debate on domestic issues in Denver.
"The Big Choice"
Romney's campaign is characterizing the election as "The Big Choice."
In the campaign memo, the Romney camp outlined to staff and surrogates what it said was a clear choice for two different futures -- one under Romney and the other under President Barack Obama.
Under Obama, the memo said that the country would have "four more years like the last four years with a stagnant economy that fosters government dependency and a foreign policy that makes the world less safe."
Under Romney, the memo said that both the economy and the country's leadership in the world will be stronger.
"When Mitt Romney is president, our nation will have pro-growth policies that foster upward mobility -- and lift people out of poverty -- and we will ensure peace through American leadership and strength," the memo said.
Both campaigns slowed the pace of their schedules ahead of Wednesday's debate in Denver.
Obama flew West over the weekend with a rally in Las Vegas on Sunday, while Romney began the week in Boston with plans to travel to Colorado later on Monday.
A senior campaign official told CNN the president spent "some time" practicing Sunday night and then "reconvened" his sessions this morning.
Who has the 2012 campaign momentum? First on CNN: Romney memo seeks to lower debate expectations
Christie being Christie
While the Romney's campaign and its surrogates spent the better part of the week downplaying his expectations, one of his more notable campaigners went off message and predicted Romney would turn the race "upside down."
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said on Sunday that he expects Romney to shine when he shares the stage with Obama.
"We have a candidate who is going to do extraordinarily well on Wednesday night," Christie said on CBS' "Face the Nation." The Republican governor said Romney will have his first chance to directly contrast his vision for the country with that of Obama.
McCain: Debate will go down in history
But a majority of voters aren't expecting Romney to be victorious in the first debate.
According to an ABC News/Washington Post national poll released Monday, 55% of likely voters say they think the president will win the debate with 31% saying that Romney will come out on top.
Crowley: Memo to Chris Christie -- did you get the memo?
CNN analyst Ron Brownstein said Christie's "voice from the bleachers" reflected the campaign's dueling objectives for the debate.
"Republicans at this point do have competing and somewhat incompatible goals going into this debate," Brownstein said Monday on CNN's "Early Start." On the one hand, obviously, they don't want to overhype the expectations for what Romney can do."
On the other hand, Brownstein said the campaign needs a jump start with polls showing Romney trailing nationally and in key swing states.
CNN's Dan Lothian, Peter Hamby, Ashley Killough, Kevin Liptak, Paul Steinhauser, Rachel Streitfeld and Allison Brennan contributed to this report
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney boards his campaign plane in Bedford, Massachusetts, on Monday, October 1. Romney is heading to Denver for the first presidential debate on Wednesday. 
President Barack Obama hugs Chasstiry Vazquez after she indroduced him at a campaign event at Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas on Sunday, September 30. 
Obama supporters cheer during Sunday's event in Las Vegas. 
Romney leaves his campaign headquarters in Boston on Sunday. 
A boy reaches out to shake hands with Obama on Sunday in Las Vegas. The president was in Nevada ahead of Wednesday's presidential debate in Denver. 
Romney arrives at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Belmont to attend Sunday services. 
Obama talks on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel in the Oval Office on Friday, September 28. 
Romney speaks during a rally at Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Pennsylvania on Friday. 
Romney talks to journalists aboard his campaign plane about his phone call with Netanyahu on Friday. 
Cadets listen to Romney speak at a campaign rally Friday at the Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne, Pennsylvania. 
Romney addresses Friday's rally at the Valley Forge Military Academy and College. 
Vice President Joe Biden hugs U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, as he arrives for a campaign event Friday in Boca Raton, Florida. 
Romney speaks at a Veterans for Romney campaign event in Springfield, Virginia, on Thursday, September 27. 
Obama supporters cheer at a campaign rally Thursday in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 
Veterans at the American Legion Post 176 pray before Romney speaks Thursday in Springfield. 
People listen to Obama speak at the Farm Bureau Live arena in Virginia Beach on Thursday. 
Obama delivers remarks Thursday in Virginia Beach. 
Supporters cheer as Romney speaks at SeaGate Convention Centre in Toledo, Ohio, on Wednesday, September 26. 
Romney speaks during a roundtable discussion on manufacturing at American Spring Wire in Bedford Heights, Ohio, on Wednesday. 
Supporters wait to see Obama on Wednesday at Toledo Express Airport in Bowling Green, Ohio. Air For One aborted an initial landing attempt in Ohio due to weather conditions. 
Obama addresses supporters at Bowling Green State University on Wednesday. 
Romney delivers remarks during a campaign rally Wednesday at Westerville South High School in Westerville, Ohio. 
Former President Bill Clinton introduces Obama during the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York on Tuesday, September 25. 
Supporters cheer during a Republican campaign rally Tuesday with Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, at Dayton International Airport in Vandalia, Ohio. 
Ryan speaks Tuesday in Vandalia as Sen. Rand Paul, from left, Sen. Rob Portman and Romney listen. 
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush hugs a waitress as they wait for Ryan's arrival during a campaign stop at a restaurant in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood on Saturday, September 22. 
Supporters cheer as they listen to Romney speak during a Juntos Con Romney Rally at the Darwin Fuchs Pavilion on Wednesday, September 19, in Miami. 
Romney shakes hands with supporters during the Juntos Con Romney Rally in Miami on Wednesday. 
Obama and David Letterman speak during a break in the taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Tuesday, September 18, at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. 
A crew member opens the door to Air Force One after the jet arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on Tuesday. 
From left to right: Romney, his wife Ann, and son Tagg watch one of Tagg's sons play soccer in Belmont, Massachusetts, on Saturday, September 15. 
Ryan arrives onstage to address the Family Research Council Action Values Voter Summit on Friday, September 14. 
Supporters wait for Romney to speak at a campaign rally at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, on Friday, September 14. 
Obama arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Thursday, September 13. Obama returned to Washington after a two-day campaign trip with events in Nevada and Colorado. 
Supporters cheer as Romney speaks at a campaign rally in Fairfax, Virginia, on Thursday. 
An Obama supporter attends a rally in Las Vegas on Wednesday, September 12. Obama focused on economic policies during his two days of campaigning in Nevada and Colorado. 
Former President Bill Clinton speaks in support of Obama during a campaign stop in Miami on Tuesday, September 11. 
Obama is lifted up by Scott Van Duzer, owner of Big Apple Pizza and Pasta Italian Restaurant, during a visit to the restaurant in Fort Pierce, Florida, on Sunday, September 9. Obama was on a two-day bus tour across the state. 
President Obama greets supporters during a campaign stop at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday. 
Mitt Romney walks through the garage area during a rain delay before the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, September 8, in Richmond, Virginia. 
Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, waves to the crowd before speaking at a rally in Leesburg, Virginia, on Friday, September 7. 
Supporters try to stay dry in between rain showers while waiting for President Obama to speak at the University of Iowa on Friday. It was Obama's first day of campaigning after accepting the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. 
A girl listens to President Obama speak at the University of Iowa on Friday. 
Vice President Joe Biden, first lady Michelle Obama, President Obama and Biden's wife, Jill, wave after Friday's campaign event at the University of Iowa. 
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