KRGV.com

CINCINNATI (AP) Republican Mitt Romney is standing behind Indiana Senate hopeful Richard Mourdock as President Barack Obama's campaign keeps up criticism of Romney's ties to a candidate who said a pregnancy that results from rape is "something God intended."

Romney's campaign has said he disagreed with Mourdock's remark, which came in a debate with opponent Rep. Joe Donnelly late Tuesday. But Romney is standing by his endorsement of Mourdock and not asking the Indiana state treasurer to take down an ad Romney filmed Monday in support.

The remark thrust a contentious social issue back into the presidential race at an inopportune time for Republicans, less than two weeks before Election Day.