University of Scranton student Christina Drogalis, 21, from Old Forge, Pa., plans to vote for Barack Obama. Drogalis, a Catholic who opposes abortion rights, said she doesn't necessarily think voting for a candidate who is opposed to abortion really will have much effect on laws, so she's weighing a variety of issues. "I think Hillary Clinton might have too much of a legacy," she said.

SCRANTON — Understanding Pennsylvania's rich Catholic tradition and responding to it is an article of faith for Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama as the April 22 primary looms in the still unsettled and intense Democratic presidential race.

It's a way of life — and of thinking — well-known to the people of Scranton, a working-class city nestled in northeast Pennsylvania where earlier generations worked in the factories, mills and coal mines — and knelt in prayer in Catholic church pews on Sunday morning.

On Election Day of yesteryear, large numbers of Pennsylvania Catholics evoked the name of Franklin D. Roosevelt and voted Democratic.

This year, Clinton has fared well among Catholic voters in early primary states and she holds a substantial lead over Obama among Catholic Democrats in Pennsylvania polls. Some analysts argue, however, that Catholic voters' race, age and economic status — rather than religion — are more likely to play a greater role in determining their vote.

Pennsylvania has an estimated 3.8 million Catholics, or just over 30 percent of the state's population, and the percentage among Democrats is estimated to be slightly higher.

Scranton is the hometown of the late Gov. Robert Casey, a feisty Catholic politician who stood up to the Democratic Party over abortion. Pennsylvania's version of the so-called "Reagan Democrat" willing to buck the party on such issues are called "Casey Democrats," and they are a critical voting bloc in Pennsylvania.

"Those so-called Casey Democrats will be looking for a broad agenda on social justice, economic justice and a recognition by the candidate, by our nominee that he or she will be someone who can talk about their faith, but more important than that, can listen to them, listen to what their concerns are and also listen to them about their faith and their point of view," said Bob Casey Jr., Pennsylvania's junior senator and the son of the former governor. He has not endorsed in the primary.

Obama, unwilling to concede the Catholic vote, plans small round-table meetings and "listening sessions" with Catholic voters in Pennsylvania's urban and rural areas, as well as e-mails and phone banks targeting Catholics.In a nod to the diverse concerns of Catholic voters, the meetings will focus on Obama's stands on the economy, jobs and health care, said former Indiana Rep. Tim Roemer, who has been reaching out to fellow Catholics on the campaign's behalf. One goal is to gauge how issues such as race and the inflammatory remarks of Obama spiritual mentor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, are playing with Catholics, Roemer said."We found Catholic voters aren't really a lot different in terms of many of their concerns than the average voter," Roemer said.Clinton spokesman Mark Nevins said Catholics connect with Clinton's message and Pennsylvanians value her ties to Scranton, where her father was born and raised and she was christened at the Court Street Methodist Church.Clinton is a Methodist; Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ. Both candidates support abortion rights.Christina Drogalis, 21, from Old Forge, is a Catholic and student at the University of Scranton. She supports Obama."I think Hillary Clinton might have too much of a legacy. It sort of feels to me too much of the same old thing."

Retired school teacher Armore Carmel remembers the routine of Scranton workers laboring in the factories, mills and coal mines during the week, and filling the pews at Catholic churches on Sunday morning.