GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- At a private gathering of pastors in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a contrite Newt Gingrich pitched his story of personal redemption Thursday. Along South Carolina's coast, Texas Gov. Rick Perry referenced Scripture as he worked to pump life into his floundering White House bid.

With the Republican presidential campaign hurtling toward the Jan. 3 leadoff Iowa caucuses, the two candidates are courting evangelicals with vigor.