Campaigns' faith outreach centers on economy

With voters focused intently on pocketbook issues, both Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama are framing their faith outreach efforts around the economy as the presidential campaign enters its final weeks.

That marks a shift from previous election cycles, campaign advisers say. “That’s a major difference between this election and the last. The economy is the single issue that transcends every demographic, every coalition, every interest group,” said Mark DeMoss, an evangelical who has led Romney’s efforts to rally conservative Christians—a key Republican voting bloc—around the GOP nominee, who is a Mormon.

“Evangelicals are no less interested in the unemployment rate and the cost of living than nonevangelicals,” DeMoss added.