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More than half of Republican voters want to hear the candidates talk more about foreign policy, according to a new poll from the Better World Campaign. 

Some 53 percent of Republicans said President Obama and GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney weren't talking enough about foreign policy, versus 40 percent of Democrats and 49 percent of independents. 

Registered voters polled earlier this month by Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research Associates specifically said they wanted more information about plans to end the war in Afghanistan and to handle the U.S. relationship with Israel, Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program and instability in the Middle East. 

After playing a starring role in the 2004 and 2008 races, Iraq makes a late cameo in Obama-Romney contest.

The GOP senator said Sunday the attack undercut the administration's "narrative" about foreign policy successes in the Middle East.

Issa said Sunday the administration failed to "put real security ahead of the appearance of not needing security" in Libya.

“It would really be abhorrent to make this into a campaign issue,” said slain Ambassador Chris Stevens's father.

Senior Obama campaign advisor Robert Gibbs defended the president from Republican criticisms about his response to the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, saying that Obama was determined to figure out more about what led to the assault.

Republicans have criticized the administration for not immediately identifying the assault, which resulted in the death of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, an attack of terrorism. The GOP has also trained its focus on remarks made by Vice President Biden in his debate with Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) about the administration not being aware of requests for more security at U.S. embassies and consulates.

But during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday morning, Gibbs said “[F]irst and foremost, nobody wants to get to the bottom of exactly what happened more than this president and this administration.

Axelrod said Biden and Obama were unaware of requests for more security at the consulate in Libya.

The Democrats’ effort to define Romney on national security echoes earlier strategy on domestic policy.