LAWTON: There were also discussions about how John Kerry's campaign has handled religion. During a panel sponsored by Wesley Theological Seminary, former Clinton Chief of Staff John Podesta said Kerry needs to speak more openly about his convictions.

JOHN PODESTA (Former Clinton Chief of Staff): He comes from a tradition which doesn't wear it on his sleeve quite as much as some other religious traditions in this country, but I think that he needs to speak, I think, with clarity, not just about the public policy choices but [about] the deep moral core from whence he makes those public policy choices.

LAWTON: The Kerry-Edwards campaign stepped up its outreach to religious constituents at a "People of Faith" luncheon. Prominent religious leaders from across the spectrum attended. Just last week, the Democratic National Committee hired a new political point person on religion: the Reverend Brenda Bartella Peterson of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.

Reverend BRENDA BARTELLA PETERSON (Senior Advisor for Religious Outreach, DNC): The very fact that I was just hired -- the first in a long time -- senior advisor for religious outreach is a strong statement that the Democrats and John Kerry and John Edwards want to reach out to religious voters, want to hear what they have to say.

LAWTON: The efforts are mainly aimed at political and theological liberals. Mainline Protestants and black church leaders were visible at many convention events, including an interfaith rally encouraging more political attention to issues of poverty and hunger. White evangelicals and Catholics had a much lower profile.

Former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn was President Clinton's ambassador to the Vatican. He says the Democrats' stand on abortion is still a key stumbling block for undecided religious voters.

RAY FLYNN (Former Vatican Ambassador): I don't think pro-life people like myself necessarily expect politicians, Democrat or Republican, to agree on what I believe. But, boy, oh boy, do I get upset, and do people get upset, when they think there's no room for them to express their point of view. Now, that Democratic convention in Boston, there was no room for dissenting voice or diversity on some of these issues. No room whatsoever.

LAWTON: Party leaders say more specific religious outreach plans will be developed in coming weeks.

Rev. PETERSON: We plan to go all over the nation. We plan to have a religious Web page on the DNC site and to let people of faith be heard. To let them know that their voice can say, "We think the federal budget is a moral document. We think that there are issues in this campaign that have a theological underpinning."

LAWTON: Linda Maloney says her convention experience renewed her enthusiasm to get out the vote for Democratic candidates.

Rev. MALONEY: The day after I get home, there's a door-knocking scheduled, so if I have the energy, I hope to go out, you know, with my credential and say, "I just got back from the Democratic convention. Let me talk to you about John Kerry and John Edwards."

LAWTON: Campaign officials are hopeful such momentum will translate into new religious votes come November.

ABERNETHY: Kim, back from Boston -- how extensive is this religious outreach effort? Does it really represent the heart of the Kerry campaign?

LAWTON: Well, I think the Kerry campaign is divided over these issues. A lot of people are urging them to have this stronger outreach to the religious community -- to talk about faith issues. But I'm told there are others in the campaign, at high levels, that are uncomfortable. They are worried about generating controversy, they are worried about creating problems. The candidate himself, John Kerry, is also a little uncomfortable addressing these issues.

ABERNETHY: Of course. So are we voters -- aren't we -- ambivalent about the place of religion and politics?

LAWTON: American voters, according to polls, want a president who is religious. But they are more divided about how religious, and how much religion should guide policies. So there is that ambivalence. Also, I think religious voters don't want to see their faith exploited for political purposes. So the tone of these efforts is going to be very important.

ABERNETHY: Kim, many thanks.