Health care ruling to end one campaign mystery

WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the biggest factors in the fight for the White House is still a mystery. But that will change on Thursday.

The Supreme Court's ruling on President Barack Obama's sweeping federal health care law will shape the contours of the presidential campaign. Ahead of Thursday's expected decision, Obama and Republican rival Mitt Romney are both primed to use the ruling — whatever it is — for political gain.

Neither candidate has any direct influence over the decision or any prior insight into how the justices will rule. The court may uphold the health care law, strike it down or deem the requirement that most Americans carry health insurance unconstitutional while keeping other aspects of the law in place.