Many conservatives were disappointed in Mitt Romney's debate performance on Monday.

REUTERS/Rick Wilking

t the final presidential debate on Monday night in Boca Raton, Florida, Mitt Romney took a conciliatory stance on foreign policy, only mildly disagreeing with President Obama on a range of issues, including the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, America's role in the Arab Spring, the West's aid for Syrian rebels, and the U.S.'s approach to Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program. The aftermath of previous debates have been dominated by arguments over who was the winner. But for much of the debate on Monday, it appeared that Romney didn't feel the need to rack up points against Obama the way he did in the first two face-offs. Commentators said Romney was purposely taking modest, middle-of-the-road positions in order to appear more presidential. Here, some reactions from Twitter:

Romney's Iran policy is identical to Obama's, good for the world, not so good for Romney campaign

— Eleanor Clift (@EleanorClift) October 23, 2012

Why hasn't Romney gone after Obama for Gitmo jihadist coddling, delaying justice for American victims' families?

— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) October 23, 2012

Romney's entire message is now 'soft power'- Eco development, education, gender equality -- COMPLETELY different than what he said last week

— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) October 23, 2012

Obama says Romney agrees with policies, has only promised to "say them louder" #debates

— BN Politics (@BNPolitics) October 23, 2012

I think Romney thinks it's better to be safe and lose this debate but cross a minimum credibility threshold..than to try and win it.

— Marc Ambinder (@marcambinder) October 23, 2012

Israel.Please mitt.STAND.Be clear on how your treat friends.

— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) October 23, 2012

Expect some conservatives to be unhappy Romney didn't attack more. My take is that they are wrong. Romney is executing his strategy well.

— Matt K. Lewis (@mattklewis) October 23, 2012

Obama, for his part, was more than happy to go on offense. In one memorable exchange, he delivered a withering indictment of Romney's allegedly old-fashioned view of military power, saying the U.S. had moved beyond "horses and bayonets." Watch the video below: