Mitt Romney and President Obama each attended church Sunday with their families, breaking from the campaign trail before the homestretch of the election cycle while their top election advisers attempted to redefine which issues they think should decide the race.

Stephanie Cutter, Obama's deputy campaign manager, called Medicare the "central question" for the election --  a surprising turn considering the federal program was largely a back-burner issue until less than two weeks ago when Wisconsin Rep. and House budget expert Paul Ryan was selected as the GOP vice presidential candidate.

Cutter made the statement on ABC's "This Week," which Romney adviser Kevin Madden responded to later by saying the president appears more interested in "talking to disc jockeys in New Mexico about what his favorite chili is."

Republican adviser Ed Gillespie said on "Fox News Sunday" the overall Romney plan, which includes a higher eligibility age for Medicare, will eventually slow the program's growth.