Election 2012: Obama takes aim at Republicans in surprise press conference

	Click to View in Browser 08/20/2012 Obama takes aim at Republicans in surprise press conference WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama slammed Republicans over taxes and women's rights on Monday in a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room that was meant to undercut his rivals on what was already a bad news day for them. Romney, Ryan double up against Obama and the Fed GOFFSTOWN, New Hampshire (Reuters) - Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan engaged in tag-team attacks on President Barack Obama and the Federal Reserve on Monday at a joint appearance that showcased the chemistry between the Republican presidential candidate and his running mate. Republicans cold shoulder Akin after abortion comments WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior Republicans scrambled to distance themselves on Monday from Missouri U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin's comments about rape, which put an unwelcome focus on divisive social issues a week before the party holds its election-year convention. Obama says Americans expect more tax returns from Romney WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Monday it was not "out of bounds" for his re-election campaign to push Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney to release more tax returns, saying such transparency is what the American people would rightly expect. Obama calls Missouri Republican rape comment offensive WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama called comments from Republican Missouri U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin about rape and abortion "offensive" and "way out there" on Monday, and said politicians should not be making healthcare decisions on behalf of women. Adviser says Romney to release 2011 tax return by October 15 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. presidential challenger Mitt Romney plans to make public his 2011 tax return by October 15, a senior campaign adviser said on Sunday, as President Barack Obama's re-election team pressed its criticism of Romney's decision not to disclose more about his personal taxes. Ryan's Fed policy views well outside mainstream WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Paul Ryan doesn't quite want to end the Fed. But if Mitt Romney's pick for vice president had his way, he might curb the central bank's powers enough to make it harder for policymakers to respond aggressively to economic downturns. When auto shutdown loomed, Ryan backed off fiscal hawk stance (Reuters) - When General Motors announced in 2008 that it would shut down its assembly plant in Janesville, Wisconsin, local Representative Paul Ryan leaped into action. Ryan puts personal spin on Medicare debate THE VILLAGES, Florida (Reuters) - Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan on Saturday put a personal spin on the debate over Medicare, bringing his 78-year-old mother on stage at a speech to seniors in Florida where he vowed to safeguard the health insurance program for the elderly. Obama: Republican approach to education funding is backward WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama accused Republicans on Saturday of a backward approach to education funding that would mean further teacher layoffs, in a veiled swipe at Republican vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan, who has led a drive for domestic-spending cuts. Related Video Obama: 'soft landing' for Assad unlikely U.S. presidential candidates break for church Tales from the Trail The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend