Presidential candidates Joe Lieberman and John Edwards unveiled TV and radio spots in South Carolina this week targeting voters concerned about the economy and faith and values.

Lieberman on Thursday announced four new 60-second radio ads featuring black leaders — state Reps. John Scott of Columbia, Fletcher Smith of Greenville and Mack Hines of Florence.

They will be aired about 500 or 600 times a week until Feb. 3 in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville and Florence and on gospel radio statewide.

In the ads, the legislators say Lieberman is the best alternative to President Bush. And they indirectly attack Howard Dean, saying, “It’s going to take more than extreme anger to defeat George Bush’s extreme agenda.”

Hines, a minister who taped the gospel radio ad, also mentions Lieberman’s “strong faith.” Lieberman is an orthodox Jew.

Candidates have made a point of mentioning their religion while on the campaign trail. Dean, Wesley Clark and others have said they want to talk about the issue more — especially in South Carolina, where many voters regularly attend church.

Edwards’ new 30-second TV ad, announced Wednesday, emphasizes his plans to protect working- and middle-class families. He also is running a biographical ad about growing up in a small S.C. mill town.

Several other major candidates have ads on the air, including Dean, Clark and Dick Gephardt.