(Columbia-AP) Jan. 15, 2004 -- New radio ads airing on urban and gospel radio stations in South Carolina will play up Democratic presidential contender Joe Lieberman as a man of faith.

It's the first time Lieberman has brought up the issue of religion in campaign ads. Lieberman is Jewish and a US Senator from Connecticut.

Three black South Carolina lawmakers say the issue is not which religion Lieberman practices but just that his faith is a big part of who he is. A Baptist minister, Representative Mack Hines, speaks in the ad. He says, "Lieberman is a man of strong faith and rock solid integrity and that's what we need in a president."

The ads also talk about job losses in South Carolina and say Lieberman has a plan to put everyone back to work.

Posted 10:54pm by BrettWitt