U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on the ground in Virginia vowed to put people back to work and pledged to keep God close to his heart and the American people.<br/> <br />For the first time Romney weighed in on the Democratic platform, which initially removed the word "God."<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MITT ROMNEY, SAYING:<br/> <br />"That pledge says "under God," and I will not take God out of the name of our platform. I will not take God off our coins, and I will not take God out of my heart."<br/> <br />He also attacked Obama's job record a day after the August employment report showed modest gains.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MITT ROMNEY, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Now, with the unemployment level stuck about 8 percent for 43 straight months, we remember that the president promised that if we let him borrow almost a trillion dollars, he would never let it reach 8 percent. It's been above 8 percent ever since. This president has not fulfilled his promises."<br/> <br />Polls show a neck and neck race with Obama holding a slight lead.
