The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Erie’s Roman Catholic bishop protested Hillary Clinton’s Tuesday visit to a nearby Catholic college. Reminds you of the handful of bishops who challenged John Kerry in 2004 and helped him lose the Catholic vote, doesn’t it? There’s a critical difference, though: Kerry’s religious advisors begged him to give speeches in Catholic settings, including Catholic colleges, to shore up his Catholic bona fides. But Kerry refused. The Methodist Clinton, by contrast, regularly appears in religious settings. So God-o-Meter expects attacks like the one from Erie’s Catholic bishop to be less effective.
A few details from the Post-Gazette:

ERIE — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton carried her campaign to Erie last night, laying out her economic plans to a crowd of more than 2,000 at Mercyhurst College.
Her visit to the Catholic institution was preceded by a public protest from Erie Catholic Bishop Donald W. Trautman, who criticized the college “for not reflecting the pro-life stance of the Catholic Church regarding abortion.” He said he would not attend Mercyhurst’s graduation ceremonies next month.
College President Dr. Thomas J. Gamble said he was “disappointed” in the bishop’s announcement but said he could not deprive the students of “a great educational opportunity.” He said the student government had invited all three presidential candidates, but only Mrs. Clinton, an advocate of abortion rights, had accepted.
“Of course, I’m saddened by the bishop’s decision, and I look forward to entering a dialogue with him,” Dr. Gamble said yesterday afternoon.
Mrs. Clinton, who was introduced by Gov. Ed Rendell, did not address the protest issues. As she presented her economic stump, the crowd listened in hushed silence while she made her arguments and cheered on cue when she raised her voice to punctuate a point.

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