Republican vice presidential contender Paul Ryan says he never would have included a $700 billion Medicare cut in his budget if President Barack Obama hadn't done it first.

Republican Mitt Romney's presidential campaign is staying on the offensive in the increasingly heated debate over the future of Medicare, the health care program relied upon by millions of seniors.

The newly shaped Republican presidential ticket is fighting growing pains amid charges from President Barack Obama's re-election team that challenger Mitt Romney favors his new running mate's controversial plans to overhaul Medicare and cut trillions of dollars from social programs.

Mitt Romney promised Thursday that his economic program will create 12 million new jobs in the next four years, and likened President Barack Obama to a "dog trying to chase its tail" when it comes to strengthening the sluggish recovery.

A day after the Supreme Court upheld President Barack Obama's health care law, Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney said the landmark ruling has created new urgency in the presidential contest.

The Supreme Court's decision to uphold President Barack Obama's sweeping health care law is a crucial election-year victory for the Democratic incumbent.

The Supreme Court's imminent ruling on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul marks a key pivot point in the presidential race. But neither side knows which direction the high court's decision will turn the contest.

One of the biggest factors in the fight for the White House is still a mystery. But that will change on Thursday.