WASHINGTON — Relentless GOP criticism of a 12-day-old remark about business owners has taken a campaign toll on President Barack Obama, forcing him to defend himself and giving Republican Mitt Romney a break from steady attacks.

The development has delighted Republicans, who were eager to shift the campaign focus from Romney's tax returns, overseas assets and Bain Capital record.

Acknowledging that the Republican's criticisms were hitting a mark, Obama's team rolled out two new TV ads this week in which he employed for the first time what many Democrats consider a powerful tool: the president talking directly into the camera and countering GOP claims.