Protesters against Obama swarm Notre Dame

Anthony J. Lauinger, a National Right to Life executive, who sent all eight of his children to Notre Dame, accused Obama of using the graduation speech "to co-opt the Catholic vote." He said the president is "trying to inoculate himself against the fact that he is a radical pro-abortion extremist."

In South Bend, former Operation Rescue leader Terry has set up shop, scheduling rounds of protests. Followers stand at the university gates, holding up signs with photos of aborted fetuses. Last week, Republican gadfly Keyes was among 22 protesters arrested on trespassing charges.

"We want this to be a political mud pit for Obama," Terry said. "Our mission is to tar him with the blood of the babies so he can never shake it between now and 2012."

On campus, Disipio said the topic of Obama's visit has come up in "dining halls, residence halls, every class I've been in."

Carolyn Rumer, 20, said a clear majority of students favor the visit, "but the people who are against it are really against it."

"I think it's good that he's coming and increasing dialogue, because that's what a university is all about," said Rumer, a junior. Many seniors, she added, "don't want their graduation to be ruined."

A small number of graduating seniors intend to boycott the ceremony, said Mary Daly, former president of the school's Right to Life group. Others will attend "to be respectful to the office of the presidency and pro-life witnesses."

Asked about seniors who may boycott their commencement because of Obama's appearance, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said yesterday at his daily briefing that "it's important to understand it appears as if the vast majority of students and the majority of Catholics are supportive of the invitation the president accepted, and I know he's greatly looking forward to it."

Daly, who will attend a protest rally on campus and a prayer vigil at the university's grotto, said Obama has failed in his first 15 weeks to protect and defend the dignity of human life. She is disappointed: "As a Catholic university, Notre Dame should adhere to the fundamental moral principles of the Catholic Church."

Previous pro-choice presidents have visited school
The storm enveloping Notre Dame was not matched when the university awarded honorary degrees to Carter and to former president Gerald R. Ford, who both supported abortion rights. Nor was it foretold in election results, when Obama won a majority of Catholics.

These days, however, a billboard greets drivers traveling to South Bend from Chicago. Trucks continually circle the campus bearing signs that say "Shame on Notre Dame" and "Judas and Jenkins Betrayed Jesus." Then there is the airplane, plying the skies several times a day for weeks.

"People are weary of it," history professor R. Scott Appleby said. "I certainly feel this is not the best way to respect life. It makes the cause a circus."

Salmon reported from Washington. Staff writer Kari Lydersen in Chicago contributed to this report.

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