First Word: Romney avoiding Mourdock questions

At campaign stops on Thursday, Mitt Romney ignored questions from reporters on rape comments made by Republican Senate candidate Richard Mourdock. Meanwhile, President Obama hammered away at this controversy on the stump. Just 12 days to go until the election. Here are the stories shaping The Last Word rundown:

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• Polls: Obama, Romney tied in Colorado, the president has narrow edge in Nevada

• Mitt Romney mum on Mourdock mess

• Colin Powell endorses President Obama

• Jon Huntsman says Mitt Romney should withdraw Richard Mourdock endorsement, pull ad

• CEOs call for deficit action

• Obama says kids know Romney is dishonest

• Romney ad uses ‘horses and bayonets’ line

• Obama: Ayn Rand is for misunderstood teenagers

• President Obama was asked to show I.D. when he voted early