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.

For the first time Romney weighed in on the Democratic platform, which initially removed the word "God."

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MITT ROMNEY, SAYING:

"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."

He also attacked Obama's job record a day after the August employment report showed modest gains.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MITT ROMNEY, SAYING:

"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."

Polls show a neck and neck race with Obama holding a slight lead.