[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7y1HMZNJy0[/youtube]

The presidential candidates are putting their campaigns on hiatus for two days to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. Everything is expected to pick up again Wednesday, so in the meantime here are a few news tidbits to carry you through the holiday.

CAMPAIGNS USE TECHIES TO TARGET VOTERS: As a political blogger, I’ve seen first hand the influence of technology on the political process. But a number of presidential campaigns have really upped the ante this election cycle. “Elizabeth Bentley of Greenville was attempting to convince a co-worker to vote for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama,” The State wrote. “So Bentley whipped out her cell phone, sent a text message to Obama’s campaign [asking about his stance on tax reform] and, in less than a minute, had an answer.”

ROMNEY’S PRO-LIFE FAIRY TALE: A new 527 group is targeting Mitt Romney on alleged abortion flip-flops with a pointed attack ad (above) airing on FoxNews in Iowa. The group, American Right to Life Action, is hoping to “expose Romney’s real record” and I’ve heard rumors that the ad will soon air in South Carolina. ABC News has more on the group.

PERRY PUSHING HIMSELF… AND GIULIANI: During a recent campaign swing for Rudy Giuliani through South Carolina, Texas Gov. Rick Perry did a good job at selling the candidate — himself, that is. “I’d rather be in Texas today, but I’m here because I believe in this guy,” he said. “I want someone who has steel in their backbone.” Apparently “this guy” was Perry because he spent the majority of his time talking about Texas and laying the groundwork for a possible national campaign of his own.

FAITH ISSUE IN PLAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA: The State ran an article late last week that contrasted Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith with Mike Huckabee’s Baptist faith and found that religion is now a major issue with voters. Prior to the rise of Huckabee, the article noted, Romney’s faith wasn’t a big deal. But now that a Baptist minister has emerged as the frontrunner in a state where 63 percent of Republican primary voters are “born again” or evangelical Christians, the religious hurdle may be tough to overcome.