President Barack Obama and his top surrogates began making a final pitch for his reelection Thursday, hailing improvements in the economy even as they continued to pound Mitt Romney on taxes and women's issues.

Romney, meanwhile, used the time to prepare for his final debate showdown with Obama on Monday night.

Trying to capitalize on the good reviews of his performance in the second presidential debate held Tuesday, Obama attempted to seize the advantage on economic issues which are the heart of the campaign debate and on which Romney, a former chief executive, has staked his candidacy.