Day of campaign rest for candidates

WOLFEBORO, N.H. -- President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney spent a quiet Sunday attending church with their families, resting up for the campaign's final 11 weeks and the approaching party nominating conventions.

While the Romneys enjoyed sunshine in New Hampshire, and the Obamas endured rain in Washington, both men sent advisers to the Sunday talk shows, where they sparred mainly over Medicare and taxes. The debate's dominant topic remains how to tame Medicare's explosive growth without hurting the millions of elderly Americans, and future retirees.

Interviewers pressed Romney aides to explain how the GOP ticket can restore the Obama administration's proposed $716 billion cut in Medicare spending without worsening the program's projected shortfall. Adviser Eric Fehrnstrom said Romney will "introduce choice and competition through more private plans." -- AP