By David Jackson, USA TODAY
President Obama disputed the notion he is running a negative campaign, saying he and aides are pointing out their "sharp differences" with Mitt Romney on a variety of issues.
"We don't go out of bounds," Obama said during a brief news conference in the White House Press Room.
Obama says his campaign had nothing to do with an ad that linked Romney to a woman's death by cancer -- but notes that Romney did a false ad about his welfare reform plan.
"You can't just make stuff up," Obama said on his Republican opponent.
Some highlights from the news conference:
1:47 p.m, -- Still speaking to Chuck Todd of NBC News, Obama again called of Bashar al-Assad of Syria to step down, but acknowledged it may be difficult and bloody.
"The likelihood of a soft landing seems pretty distant," Obama said.
1:43 p.m. -- After a question by Chuck Todd of NBC News, Obama again defends his call on Mitt Romney to release more tax returns.
He notes that Romney has already disclosed he has "Swiss bank accounts," which are "perfectly legal" but which voters would find to be "relevant information."
1:40 p.m, -- Obama defends his Afghanistan policy after a question by ABC's Jake Tapper. He also gives Congress a to-do list after they return from August recess.
It includes a jobs bill, housing re-financing plan, and new approaches to cutting the deficit.
1:35 p.m. -- Obama tells Nancy Cordes of CBS News that he disputes Mitt Romney's assertion that be is running a campaign of "hate" and "anger."
"We're pointing out sharp differences," Obama said. "But we don't go out of bounds."
Obama says his campaign had nothing to do with an ad that linked Romney to a woman's death by cancer -- but notes that Romney did a false ad about his welfare reform plan.
"You can't just make stuff up," he said.
1:30 p.m. -- After a question by Associated Press, Obama denounces a comment by Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin about "legitimate rape."
"The views expressed were offensive," Obama said of the Missouri candidate."Rape is rape."
Should Republicans drop Akin? "I'll let them sort that out."
1:28 p.m. -- President Obama make a brief opening statement on Medicare, defending his policies and questioning those of Republican Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan.