Romney bids to put focus on economy

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney tried to keep voters focused on the US economy today instead of a fellow Republican's comments that pregnancy caused by rape "is something God intended". With President Barack Obama spending the day at the White House after a two-day dash across eight battleground states that will determine the tight election, Mr Romney gave what he called a major speech on the economy, the top issue among voters with less than two weeks left before November 6. Mr Romney, however, faced questions about the remarks of Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock and new questions about his role in a key supporter's divorce. Court documents released yesterday revealed that Mr Romney created a special class of company stock for Staples founder Tom Stemberg's then-wife as a "favour". Mr Romney uses his equity capital firm Bain's involvement in the creation of the office supply company to show off his business skills. Mr Romney has tried to ignore both lines of attack, instead accusing Mr Obama of playing partisan politics in an "incredibly shrinking campaign". Opinion polls show Mr Obama and Mr Romney tied nationally. A new Associated Press-GfK poll of...