Election 2012: Shifting focus, Obama campaign targets Santorum on economy

02/21/2012 Shifting focus, Obama campaign targets Santorum on economy WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's re-election campaign regularly rips Mitt Romney, long viewed as the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, for his economic policies. On Tuesday, it added Romney's rival Rick Santorum to its list of top targets. Prominent evangelist again raises issue of Obama's faith NEW YORK (Reuters) - Christian evangelist Franklin Graham, son of prominent preacher Billy Graham, stirred up the politically sensitive issue of President Barack Obama's Christian faith on Tuesday, saying he accepted the president at his word that he was a Christian but he could not know what Obama actually believed. Santorum calls Obama health program bad for marriage STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum accused Democratic President Barack Obama's administration on Monday of implementing healthcare policies that discourage marriage and hurt families. Paltry fundraising by Obama "Super PAC" prompted new strategy WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In early January, President Barack Obama's campaign manager Jim Messina called David Axelrod, the president's top strategist, into his Chicago office and started writing on a white board. As Republican campaigns spend millions, PACs rise in importance WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans raised and spent money for the presidential race at a frenetic pace in January, according to new financial disclosures that also show why Democrats are concerned about the flagging "Super PAC" that supports President Barack Obama. Factbox: The wealthy behind U.S. presidential campaigns (Reuters) - The campaigns of U.S. presidential candidates are limited to receiving donations of up to $2,500 per person, once for the state-by-state party nominating season and again for the general election. But independent "Super PACs" have no limits on what they can raise from individuals, corporations or labor unions. Romney says wants "flatter, simpler" tax system SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Michigan (Reuters) - Battling to come back in Michigan, Republican Mitt Romney said on Tuesday he wants a tax system that is flatter and simpler as he laid the groundwork for a major economic address coming up in days. For Santorum voters, he's a candidate like them COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - Sporting his signature sweater vest and telling stories of his coal miner grandfather, Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum has struck a chord in the U.S. Rust Belt that is helping propel his once long-shot candidacy. Arizona sheriff quits Romney campaign amid accusations PHOENIX (Reuters) - A local sheriff resigned as a co-chair of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's campaign in Arizona on Saturday after he was accused of threatening a former male lover with deportation to Mexico if he talked about their relationship. Santorum explains "phony theology" comment Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum says he was questioning President Obama's world view -- not his faith when he said some White House policies were based on "phony theology." Related Video Romney's facts wrong in criticism of auto bailout: Ingrassia China's vice president Xi Jinping arrives in U.S. Tales from the Trail The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend