Pennsylvania race between Casey and Santorum centers on religion

Democrat Bob Casey highlights his religious work while antigay Republican senator Rick Santorum seeks out evangelical Christians, a reflection of the fierce fight for voters of faith in the contentious race for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. Casey, who is a Catholic, has been talking openly about his religious upbringing and his work with the Jesuit Corps. He unveiled a 60-second television ad in the Philadelphia market Tuesday featuring a former student talking about Casey's mentoring from days in the corps' inner-city program.

Meanwhile, the two-term Santorum, who also is Catholic, has been outspoken on issues consistent with the church's teachings such as opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. Santorum also raised the ire of gays and lesbians everywhere when he compared homosexuality with pedophilia and bestiality. In his latest book, It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good, he wrote, "Religious congregations are, by an overwhelming margin, the most important intermediate institution outside the family for the vast majority of Americans."

On Wednesday night in Pittsburgh, close to Santorum's hometown, Focus on the Family Action, the political lobbying arm of James Dobson's notoriously antigay Christian group, held a "Stand for the Family" rally in support of the religious right that drew about 3,000 people to Mellon Arena, according to arena security officials. Santorum, who has regular meetings with a religious working group, is slated to address the conservative Family Research Council's voter summit on Saturday.

At the Pittsburgh rally, Dobson expressed disappointment that Republicans did not, in his view, take stands on issues ranging from the military to the definition of marriage that were more in line with the so-called values voters who turned out two years ago. Despite that, Dobson urged his supporters to vote in larger numbers in November. "Whether Republicans deserve the power they were given, the alternatives are downright frightening," Dobson said.

Religion has been at the forefront of the competitive Pennsylvania race, pitting against one another two somewhat similar candidates—both Catholic, both opposed to abortion. It reflects a change from recent elections when many Democrats tended to avoid talking about their faith and essentially conceded religious voters to Republicans. It also highlights a new willingness by Democrats to discuss religion in personal terms.

On Monday, Democratic senator John Kerry, the party's 2004 presidential nominee, delivered a speech in California in which he talked of "godly tasks" and described his own journey of faith. In a recent ad in the Tennessee Senate race, Democratic representative Harold Ford Jr., seated in a church, tells voters, "I started church the old-fashioned way. I was forced to, and I'm better for it."

This spring Santorum addressed via video a get-out-the-vote training session of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network. Once Casey heard about it, he asked to speak to the group and was given a chance. He did it in person. "To the extent that he is successful, his campaign might become a model for other Democrats in similar circumstances," said John Green, a senior fellow at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

Casey has held a double-digit lead in polls over Santorum, the Senate's number 3 Republican, although recent surveys have shown a tightening contest. More than one third of voters in Pennsylvania are Catholic. While the state has about a half million more registered Democrats than Republicans, voters tend to be socially conservative and frequently vote along cultural lines.

While both candidates are Catholic and are abortion foes, they differ on some issues critical to religious voters. Casey supports civil unions but opposes same-sex marriage. Santorum advocated for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage; Casey said he didn't support it because it was too divisive. (AP)