Campaign Stunt for sure. Brownback became Roman Catholic in 2002, which strikes me as weird for a man of his age and experience.
He seems kind of odd to me... but, even more so after this story.
I don't think it's wierd. Maybe he'd never really given it much thought until recently. Many adults just cruise along in their faith and never really think seriously about it. He was looking for something more, I guess. Good for him for doing that!