Clinton, Trump Meet With Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Ahead Of Presidential Debate
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are expected to meet separately with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York on Sunday ahead of their first presidential debate on Monday night.
Netanyahu has sought to project neutrality in this year's U.S. election after there were perceptions that he favored Mitt Romney over President Barack Obama in 2012.
The Israeli leader met with Obama last week, capping what has been a contentious relationship between the leaders of the two allies.
The Obama administration has opposed Israel's push to expand settlements in the West Bank while Netanyahu has been a leading critic of the U.S. nuclear agreement with Iran.
In 2012, some believed Netanyahu favored Republican candidate Mitt Romney over Obama, CBS2's Raegan Medgie reported.
In a new Washington Post poll, 46 percent of voters would choose Clinton and 44 percent of voters would choose Trump if the election was held today.
Around 74 percent of those taking the poll said they planned on watching the debate Monday night. Eight out of ten said that no matter what happens on stage their minds are already made up on where their vote will go.
But one person who did change his mind is Ted Cruz, who threw his support behind Trump earlier this week.
The Texas senator said on Facebook that he made the decision for two reasons. First, his promise to support the Republican nominee. And second, his belief that Democrat Hillary Clinton is "wholly unacceptable."
"If Clinton wins, we know — with 100% certainty — that she would deliver on her left-wing promises, with devastating results for our country. My conscience tells me I must do whatever I can to stop that," Cruz said.
Meanwhile, the New York Times officially endorsed Clinton on Saturday, hailing the Democratic nominee as "one of the most tenacious politicians of her generation."
Both candidates will face off in their first debate at Hofstra University on Sept. 26, each with a different approach on their plan of attack.
Clinton has spent days preparing with her top advisors, with her longtime aide Philippe Reines acting as Trump in mock debates.
"I think she tends to really rise to the occasion and it will be a real contrast in visions," running mate Tim Kaine said.
But Trump has a much different approach, saying he doesn't want to over-prepare.
"I mean, I've seen some people do so much prep work that when they get out there, they can't speak," Trump said.
Trump has threatened to bring Gennifer Flowers to the first debate, and seat her next to businessman Mark Cuban — a Clinton guest.
Trump issued the warning on Twitter, after Clinton extended the invitation to Cuban.
As CBS News reported, Flowers is an ex-model who made headlines after having a relationship with Bill Clinton.
Hofstra University is taking extra security precautions ahead of Monday's debate. More than 1,000 police officers and FBI personnel will be present at the event, and commuters should plan alternate routes in light of area road closures.
The event is also drawing interest from local Hofstra students. About 7,500 students, or more than two-thirds of the student body, entered the lottery for only a few hundred tickets to witness the cycle's first presidential debate, being held Monday night in a campus basketball arena.
More than 800 students applied for about 500 jobs as volunteer staff for the event.
Some will be helping in the media center, where thousands of journalists will gather to file stories as the debate unfolds. Others will be handing out credentials, shuttling VIPs, serving as network production assistants or working as debate hall ushers.
Hofstra political science professor Richard Himmelfarb said he finds most of his students are "really turned off by this election." Most view the election as a choice between the lesser of two evils.
"They're interested in the debate, but much in the same way as they view reality television," Himmelfarb said. "They're fascinated to see what happens when Donald Trump shows up on the national debate stage. I think they view it similar to a car crash; the `anything can happen, unpredictability' aspect has their attention."
He said Hofstra has strived to use the event as a teaching tool. "The university has attempted to try and elevate the debate and they want students to consider more substantive questions."
Leana Gianan, a senior from Hanover, Maryland, said debate-related events also have been organized in residence halls, including a planned trivia night focusing on politics.
"There's a conversation that's always to be had," she said. "This kind of gives people the chance to talk about real issues and policies that are happening in our country."
You can watch the debate on CBS2 at 9 p.m. Monday night.
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