His campaign has been pushing back against the false rumours all year. His aides decried an incorrect news report that Obama was educated in a radical Muslim madrasa and a section of his website is devoted to correct that and other false rumours circulating on the Internet.

But they are stepping up the effort now that the campaign has hit South Carolina and soon turns to other southern states where religion is so important to voters. The campaign distributed an open letter from seven Jewish senators this weekend, condemning the attacks. Aides are planning an event this week to respond directly to the e-mails, and campaign representatives blanketed South Carolina churches on Sunday with literature that touted Obama’s Christian faith.

One piece features photos of Obama praying with the words “Committed Christian” in large letters across the middle. It says Obama will be a President “guided by his Christian faith” and includes a quote from him saying: “I believe in the power of prayer.”

A second piece, which like the first doesn’t mention the Muslim rumour, includes photos of Obama with his family and a caption that says they are active members of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. It explains how as a young man Obama “felt a beckoning of the spirit and accepted Jesus Christ into his life”.

Obama says he’s going to fight harder against other mischaracterisations about his positions that he says are being perpetrated by rival Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband.

“When I see Senator Clinton, President Clinton distort my words ... that is not a way to move the debate forward, that is not a way to help the American people,” Obama said during his rally at the Columbia Convention Center. “I am not running for President just to become President. I’m running to help the American people. I’m not willing to say or do anything just to win an election.”

... contd.