Economy, culture wars vie for election spotlight

By Andrea Hopkins - Analysis

LEBANON, Ohio (Reuters) - With jobs disappearing, banks failing and the housing market a mess, Democrats were certain the U.S. presidential election would be all about the economy. Suddenly all anyone talks about is faith, family and female voters.

Call it the Sarah Palin effect.

The surprise choice of the little-known Alaskan governor as running mate by Republican presidential nominee John McCain for the November 4 election has turned the campaign debate into something else entirely.

Opinion polls show the economy the top concern with the two main presidential candidates running neck and neck.

Democrat Barack Obama has tried to paint his rival McCain with the same blame he heaps on Republican President George W. Bush for causing rising prices and stagnant incomes.

Alaska Gov. Palin, who would be the first female U.S. vice president, has made a big splash in the 12 days since her selection as McCain's running mate.

Women with children debate Palin's ability to run for office while raising five children. Conservatives applaud her anti-abortion credentials. Newspapers run interviews with family, friends and pastors attesting to Palin's fundamentalist Christian faith.

DEBATE SHIFT

The shift in debate from one about the nation's economic malaise to the social issues of abortion, gay rights and religion that dominated previous elections dismays undecided voter Donna Moloney, a Cincinnati, Ohio, chiropractor.

"How can you not talk about the economy and health care? Instead it's going to be about abortion," lamented Moloney, 46.

Moloney said she leans Republican on economic issues but now might support Obama simply because she does not want a return to the cultural wars that marked the 2004 election.

"Why do we obsess about these things?" she asked.

Voters who turned out to hear McCain and Palin at a rally this week near Cincinnati said they were thrilled by the strong conservative values Palin had brought to the ticket.

"Pro-life is huge for us," said Randall Stigall, 39, as he waited with his wife for the rally to begin. "Her being added to the ticket has reinvigorated the conservative base."

Stigall, an IT professional, shrugged off concerns about the economy.