McCain Won’t Meet With Billy Graham
Funny, he sought the endorsement of John Hagee and Rod Parsley, but has a problem with Billy Graham? Not that Graham is without his own controversies, but compared to the right-wing evangelicals who McCain has embraced, and vica versa, prior to mutual distancing, Graham should be a no- brainer. I disagree with the assessment by Newsmax that meeting with Graham signifies reaching out to the right-wing evangelical base. Graham has met with every president since Harry Truman.
Here is the letter from the McCain campaign to Brian Jacobs, who tried to set up the meeting on behalf of the Billy Graham Association.
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
Thank you for your kind letter offering to set up a personal meeting between Senator McCain and Dr. Billy Graham.
Senator McCain appreciates your invitation and the valuable opportunity it represents. [italics added by McCain campaign]
Unfortunately, I must pass along our regrets and do not foresee an opportunity to add this event to the calendar.
I know you will understand that with the tremendous demands on his time and the large volume of similar requests, events such as this are extremely difficult to schedule even though each one is important. However, we will keep your event in mind should an opportunity present itself in the future.
I know that the Senator would want me to thank you for your interest and to send his very best wishes.
Sincerely,
Amber Johnson
Director of Scheduling
John McCain 2008
Update: McCain’s camp denies there is resistance to meeting with Graham. McCain campaign spokesman Jeff Sadosky tells Fox News that they’ve been dealing with Graham’s office directly “for months.”
“Our campaign has been in continuous contact with Reverend Graham’s office and his son and we are working to set up meeting, but we will do so directly with Reverend Graham and not an intermediary,” Sadosky said.
Perhaps Billy Graham is now passe’.
I’d be more concerned about McCain’s flip-flop on Jerry Falwell.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200806090001?f=h_latest
June 9th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I looked at the article and am unclear about how the letter was obtained by Newsmax. Did Graham’s representatives hand it over? If so, why? It’s just contributing to all the drama and controversy of this election.
June 9th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Don’t be surprised if Newsmax just made it up; they are a right wing site.
June 9th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
What makes Billy Graham so important? What advice does he have that will be able to help any future President out. Billy Graham has been used by so many Presidents. Whenever they screw up (ex. Watergate) they can get good ol’ Billy to come out and say how moral and spiritual they are. I wish preachers would not have open access to Presidents and people in power. They do not know any more then anyone else does about this world. I’m shocked that McCain hasn’t taken the opportunity to kiss Billy Graham’s butt and have Billy praise him. Maybe he thinks being around another power who’s made anti-Jewish statements will be a bad thing, but most people never heard Billy Graham’s comments on Jews. I’m sure McCain will eventually meet with him. McCain’s flipped flopped on just about every position, so I’m sure he’ll have no problem meeting with Billy and kissing his butt.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
If this if for real, I think John McCain should be ashamed of himself. I don’t believe McCain to be a religious man, but I never thought he would behave in a disrespectful manner.
June 9th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
You can’t win with liberals. You can’t meet with religious figures and you can’t not meet with them.
The liberals contradictions with themselves are pathetic.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
What is Billy Graham going to do, bend over and slobber out a prayer, before he finally croakes?
June 9th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Hey Craig! Heard you call the other night. I missed ya. Why’d you ditch us?
June 9th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
btw, I STILL don’t understand why they released this letter. Someone please explain.
June 9th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Dave and Frank are idiots. It is a shame that someone would just disregard the work and knowledge of the Graham Family. Dave states that they do not know anymore about the world than anyone else?? How many people in need have you helped, how many hungry people have you fed, how many countries have you been to??? America is a Christian nation being destroyed by people that do not have Biblical morals or values. God help us…….
June 30th, 2008 at 9:18 am
This article makes no sense. What is your point Alan ?
December 14th, 2008 at 9:00 pm