The core of his presidential candidacy under attack, Mitt Romney has yet to shape a playbook to defend his quarter-century in the business world.
Romney and his aides have struggled to respond consistently to intensifying criticism from the Obama campaign about Romney's tenure at Bain Capital and how it would be reflected in his presidency.
The lack of a cohesive message stems, in part, from Romney's fundamental belief that any debate that puts the economy front and
center is a win for Republicans. Public polling shows most Americans are not satisfied with the pace of the recovery under Obama's watch.
Romney aides say the election will be a referendum on Obama's economic leadership far more than a question of Romney's business
career, regardless of how much Democrats highlight that issue.