Obama says opponent has ‘Romnesia’
FAIRFAX, Va. — President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney squeezed in one last burst of campaigning Friday before they hunker down for the weekend to prepare for their final debate on Monday.

During an appearance at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., Obama coined a new term — “Romnesia” — for what he said are Romney’s changes in positions.

“If you come down with a case of Romnesia and you can’t seem to remember the policies that are still on your website or the promises that you’ve made over the six years that you’ve been running for president, here’s the good news: Obamacare covers pre-existing conditions,” Obama said in a reference to the health-care law enacted in 2010.

Illinois’ Walsh backtracks on remarks
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh of Illinois backtracked slightly on his controversial remarks about abortion, saying Friday that there are “very rare circumstances” in which a pregnant woman may need to undergo an abortion to save her life.

The comment stood in contrast to the “tea party” icon’s declaration following a Thursday night debate that medical advances had rendered it unnecessary to ever perform an abortion to save a mother’s life.

The remark caused a hue and cry among abortion rights supporters, medical professionals and Democratic foe Tammy Duckworth, who sought to capitalize on the controversy as her campaign highlighted it in a fundraising e-mail.

Walsh held a hastily-called news conference at an empty sign warehouse in Elk Grove Village to “clarify” his earlier comments on abortion. Walsh arrived hand in hand with his wife, but the congressman refused to take questions.

“Let me be very clear that when I say I am pro-life, I mean that I am pro-life for the mother and I am pro-life for the unborn child. For me, there is no distinction between the two,” Walsh said.

Congress launches inauguration website
WASHINGTON — Congress has launched a website and Facebook page as it prepares for the 57th presidential inauguration to take place on the west side of the Capitol on Jan. 21.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement Friday that the website will provide an encyclopedic resource for facts on past inaugurations and information about the ceremony where either President Barack Obama or Mitt Romney will be sworn in as the next president.

The database will include information on inaugural parades and balls and what was served at past inaugural luncheons.

The first-ever Facebook page will provide up-to-date information about the ceremonies,.

The ceremony will take place on Jan. 21, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, because Jan. 20, the usual date, will fall on a Sunday.

Wire reports