1 / 9

The Latest News and Quotes From the Campaign Trail - With just 56 days left before Election Day, President Obama is working overtime to keep up the momentum built during last week’s Democratic National Convention. Republican Mitt Romney took the week off but returned to the trail with fresh attacks on his rival. The candidates agreed to suspend any negativity out of respect for the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but on Sept. 12, it will be business as usual. –Joyce Jones (Photos from left: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, AP Photo/The Daytona Beach News-Journal, David Massey)

2 / 9

Hugging It Out - Scott Van Duzer, proprietor of the Big Apple Pizza & Pasta Restaurant in Fort Pierce, Florida, and a self-identified Republican, was unable to contain his excitement when Obama entered his restaurant. After the president joked about his big muscles, Van Duzer lifted Obama off the ground in a big bear hug. “Man, are you a power lifter or what?” the president said when his feet hit the ground. (Photo: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

3 / 9

Joe Biden, Biker Dude? - Vice President Joe Biden, while chatting with a group of bikers in an Ohio diner, was snapped by an Associated Press photographer in a photo that made it look like a woman in the group was sitting on his lap, but she was actually seated on a chair.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

4 / 9

In the Black - Romney announced the creation of a Black Leadership Council of approximately 20 members who are charged with outreach to the African-American community. It is co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Tim Scott and Allen West and Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll. (Photo: Courtesy of MittRomney.com)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of MittRomney.com

5 / 9

Go Big or Go Home - “The only thing I have to tell the Republicans, they’ve got to get tougher,” said real estate mogul Donald Trump in an interview with Fox News. “If they don’t get tough, they’re not going to win this election.” (Photo: Edward Linsmier/Getty Images)

6 / 9

Do Over - “If you can’t beat Barack Obama with this record, then shut down the party,” said conservative commentator Laura Ingraham. “Shut it down, start new, with new people because this is a give-me election, or at least it should be.”  (Photo: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

7 / 9

Forewarned - “‘Forward’ is his campaign slogan,” Romney said of Obama when he returned to the campaign trail in Ohio on Monday. “‘Forewarned’ is a better term. We’re forewarned and that’s why we’re not going to re-elect this man.” (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

8 / 9

Clinton to the Rescue - After delivering a speech that even Romney praised, former President Bill Clinton has become Obama’s most prominent surrogate and is being dispatched to stump for him this week in Florida. Clinton reportedly also will campaign in Pennsylvania and Ohio, two key swing states. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

9 / 9

Shhhh! - The Romney campaign is coming under increasing fire for its unwillingness to reveal more details about its tax plan and other policy prescriptions. “If you don’t start telling people what you believe — if you really do, in fact, believe in anything — and if you don’t start telling people, yes, these are the tax exemptions that we’re going to get taken care of … unless you have somebody that’s willing to do that, Romney’s going to lose,” said former Republican congressman and Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough on Monday. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)