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Home , Billy Graham, Jimmy Carter, Nancy Gibbs

REPORT 02.11.19 All the Presidents’ Man

William Martin, Ph.D., Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy

AUTHOR’S NOTE INTRODUCTION

On December 5, 2018, I joined the resisted the temptations of millions who watched the money and sex more successfully than commemorating the life and legacy of some of his colleagues in public ministry, but President George H.W. Bush. As I reflected his fascination with and access to political on the meticulously planned and superbly power revealed some of his vulnerabilities effective blend of Christian and patriotic and posed a greater threat to his integrity. ritual and symbol and took note of the By 1950, he had experienced notable popular luminaries gathered in the magnificent acclaim, won respect in evangelical circles, National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and shown that he would have no trouble particularly the five U.S. presidents financing his ministry. The key realm he had prominent in the first rows, I could not help yet to penetrate was politics, and since much thinking of someone else who belonged of his preaching featured political themes, there—Billy Graham. The famed evangelist he sought to ingratiate himself with political had been a friend to every president since figures with an eagerness that seemed Dwight Eisenhower, had participated in almost desperate. several of their inaugurations, had preached at the funerals for Lyndon Johnson and , and had brought a healing HARRY S. TRUMAN message to a shocked nation when he spoke While in Boston early in 1950, Graham told a in this same sanctuary on September 14, reporter that his whole ambition was “to get 2001, three days after the attacks on the President Truman’s ear for 30 minutes, to World Trade Center and . When get a little help” in spreading the , and Graham died on , 2018, a few he worked hard to satisfy that ambition. He months before what would have been his sent the president a series of telegrams and 100th birthday, he was lauded as “The Pastor letters, urging him to declare a national day to the Presidents” and his body had lain in of repentance and prayer, assuring him he state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, a had the prayers of millions of Christians as he high honor shared with only 31 other people, dealt with the crisis in , and asking for just eight of them presidents, including his the privilege of a personal meeting. longtime friend George H.W. Bush. Finally, in , he was granted 30 In the course of writing A Prophet with minutes of the president’s time. When he Honor: The Billy Graham Story (William managed to get the invitation widened to Morrow, 1991; updated edition, Zondervan include three members of his team, the four 2018), I gave extended attention to Graham’s of them got so excited, one recalled, that relationships with each of the presidents from “we were jumping up and down in our hotel Truman to Trump. This report is distilled from room.” As they puzzled over how to make the numerous chapters that contain these a good impression on Truman, one of them accounts. Quotations and other material not remembered that often pictured taken directly from Prophet with Honor are indicated by endnotes. BAKER INSTITUTE REPORT // 02.11.19

Truman wearing white buck shoes at his Key like that. All he’s interested in is getting his West retreat. Graham, who already had a name in the paper.” pair of the shoes, loved the idea and sent the Harry Truman may have regarded others out to a Florsheim store to get three Graham as a rube to be avoided, but other more pairs. So, in white shoes, ice-cream politicians saw him either as a kindred spirit suits, and hand-painted ties that made them or as someone whose friendship could look like hospital orderlies at the racetrack, convey a blessing. Approximately one-third they went in to see the most powerful leader of all senators and one-fourth of House in the non-communist world. members asked for a special allocation of Truman received them cordially, listened seats for the 1952 crusade services, and to Graham’s suggestions about a national day scores of congressmen attended a Graham- of prayer, and talked about the possibility led rally on the Capitol steps. that some kind of “police action” might be needed to resist in Korea. As their visit drew to a close, Graham asked DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER the president if they might “have a word of prayer.” Truman, not famous for piety, Graham professed neutrality in the 1952 said, “I don’t suppose it could do any harm.” campaign, but it became clear fairly early that The evangelist put his arm around the chief his choice was General Dwight Eisenhower. executive and began to pray, with his friends In fact, he traveled to Eisenhower’s NATO chiming in with “Amen” and “Do it, Lord,” headquarters outside Paris to urge him to Eisenhower’s election all of which the president endured with enter the 1952 campaign. After Eisenhower marked the first in bemused detachment. gained the Republican nomination, Graham visited him at the Brown Palace Hotel in Billy Graham’s When the group left the president’s office, a clutch of reporters descended on Denver and presented him with a red , remarkable series of them, and Graham, unaware he was violating which he reportedly kept with him and read significant relationships protocol, freely related what Truman had frequently throughout the campaign. with presidents of the said and acknowledged they had prayed A few days before the November election, Graham revealed to the press that . together. He balked when photographers asked him to recreate the pose they had his personal survey of nearly 200 churchmen struck, explaining he thought it improper and religious editors from 30 states and 22 to simulate prayer but, not wanting to denominations indicated that 77 percent disappoint them, he said, “On second favored Eisenhower for president, with only thought, my team and I were going to go out 13 percent intending to vote for Democratic on the lawn and just give God candidate Adlai Stevenson. thanks for this privilege of visiting with the Eisenhower’s election marked the president of the United States. I suppose you first in Billy Graham’s remarkable series of could take a picture of that.” significant relationships with presidents of The next morning, newspapers all over the United States. On several occasions over America ran a photograph of the young the next eight years, Eisenhower sought innocents, dazzling in white raiment and Graham’s counsel on the mounting racial poised on one knee like a southern gospel tensions of that era, including a telephone quartet. The stories and photographs irritated conversation on September 24, 1957, about Truman mightily, and when Graham held a whether to send federal troops into Little crusade in Washington in 1952 the president Rock to ensure the integration of Central instructed his aides that “when, as, and if” High School. Graham said, “I think that is the evangelist made any requests for a return the only thing you can do.” That afternoon, visit, it was to be “decisively turned down.” troops from the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne After he left the presidency, Truman Division and members of the National Guard called Graham a counterfeit, saying, “He rolled into Little Rock. Graham also visited the claims he’s a friend of all the presidents, White House before his foreign tours, to let but he was never a friend of mine when Eisenhower know where he would be going I was president. I just don’t go for people and to learn if he needed to watch for any 2 ALL THE PRESIDENTS’ MAN

special diplomatic opportunities or pitfalls. On JOHN F. KENNEDY return, he dropped by to report on what he had seen and heard. Kennedy and Graham were never close friends, but Kennedy was wise enough to maintain at least a semblance of cordiality NIXON V. KENNEDY toward the evangelist. A few days before Contact with the Eisenhower White House his inauguration in January 1961, he invited led naturally to exposure to Richard Nixon, Graham to play golf and have lunch with and Graham quickly became one of the him in Key Biscayne. Graham often recalled vice president’s most enthusiastic boosters. how, on the way back from the golf course, He commended Nixon for his “sincerity, Kennedy suddenly pulled the white Lincoln strong convictions, and humility” and “all- convertible to the side of the road and, important sense of humor” and characterized looking directly at Graham, blurted out, “Billy, him publicly as “a splendid churchman.” do you believe that Christ is going In private, he encouraged Nixon to attend to come back again?” Without hesitation, church regularly and make a point of quoting Graham said, “I do.” Kennedy pondered the scripture and dropping other religious matter a moment, then said, “My church references into his speeches, to assure teaches it in its creeds, but I don’t hear much himself of strong Protestant support in future about it.” He also inquired, Graham recalled, about the triumph of the Kingdom of God and elections, support that would be needed if [After Kennedy’s Roman Catholic John Kennedy received the numerous other topics—“He must have asked Democratic nomination. a hundred separate questions”—but that election], Graham Throughout the 1960 campaign, Graham exchange appears to have been the extent of must have felt that regularly informed Nixon that he was on the theological discussion between the two men. his return to favor At a press conference that evening, verge of a personal endorsement. at the White House He never actually did so, but there was little Kennedy said, without prior warning, that doubt as to where he stood. He encouraged Dr. Billy Graham was present and would would have to wait the two million families on his mailing list to answer questions about the religious until the GOP returned organize their Sunday school classes to get issue that had drawn so much attention to power. In feeling during the campaign—whether Kennedy’s out the vote, thinking that might produce a that way, however, he significant swing in Nixon’s direction. Graham allegiance to the would pose also organized and hosted 25 Protestant a threat to the separation of church and underestimated leaders in a secret meeting in Montreux, state. Graham remembered, “I was scared Lyndon Johnson. Switzerland, to discuss how they could block to , but I stood up and tried to walk Kennedy’s election. The Rev. Dr. Norman the middle line as much as I could.” Few Vincent Peale, one of the most well-known men have proved more adroit at walking and respected ministers in the U.S. at the the middle line, and Graham’s balance and time, attended that meeting and organized a agility did not fail him on that occasion. follow-up meeting in Washington that turned A Times article declared, “Dr. out to be a public relations disaster for Peale Graham hails Kennedy victory.” Still, Graham and for the anti-Catholic effort. Graham did must have felt, with good reason, that his not participate in that meeting, but as one return to favor at the White House would writer put it, his fingerprints were all over it.1 have to wait until the GOP returned to On the eve of the election, Graham power. In feeling that way, however, he accepted publisher Henry Luce’s invitation to underestimated Lyndon Johnson. write a piece for Life magazine, commending Richard Nixon. He wrote the article, then LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON had such severe second thoughts that he persuaded Luce not to run it. A few months Graham and Johnson had met through after the election, Nixon ventured that, had oilman Sid Richardson and had maintained the article run, it might well have swung polite contact, largely at Johnson’s initiative. enough votes to turn the election to him. He Immediately after Kennedy’s assassination may have been right. 3 BAKER INSTITUTE REPORT // 02.11.19

on November 22, 1963, Graham got in touch confided to Graham that he did not expect with the new president to let him know he to run for a second term, because he did not would be praying for him and stood ready to think he would live out a second term, which help in any way he could during the difficult would have been true. days that lay ahead. Whether for spiritual or During that same visit, Johnson told political reasons, Johnson eagerly accepted Graham that he wanted him to preach at the offer. his funeral. He led him over to a small grave Within a week after he moved into the plot and said, “I want to be buried right White House, Johnson summoned Graham here. My father’s grave is right there, my to Washington. A visit scheduled for 15 mother’s right there.” Then he stopped and minutes stretched to five hours, as two looked Graham in the eye: “Billy, will I ever farm boys who had ridden their talent, see my mother and father again?” Graham ambition, and energy to the pinnacle of provided him with the promise that gives their respective professions found they had evangelical faith its greatest power: “Well, more to offer each other than either had Mr. President, if you’re a Christian and they ever imagined. Over the next four years, were Christians, then someday you’ll have a White House files reveal a continuous great home-going.” exchange of letters, cards, and small Johnson pulled out a handkerchief and gifts between the two men, including a began brushing tears from his eyes. Then he recommendation for a natural laxative. decided that others needed to hear what he Without question, and apart from the had just heard. Returning to discussion of genuine affection he appears to have felt the funeral, he said, “Obviously, there’ll be for Graham and the intrinsic satisfactions he members of the press here. I don’t know how found in their friendship, Lyndon Johnson many, but maybe they’ll come from around understood the advantages of being Billy’s the world. Billy, I want you to look in those buddy. If Billy Graham was the president’s cameras and just tell ’em what friend, then millions of Americans would is all about. Tell ’em how they can be sure conclude that the president must be a good they can go to heaven. I want you to preach man, a decent man, a noble man, perhaps the gospel.” He paused. “But somewhere in even a Christian man. And if he possessed there, you tell ’em a few things I did for this those qualities, then his causes—his War country.” (At Johnson’s funeral in on January on Poverty, his Civil Rights Act, his effort 25, 1973,2 Graham recalled and followed to preserve freedom and democracy those instructions.) in Southeast —must also be good, decent, noble, perhaps even Christian, and therefore precisely the causes Christian folk RICHARD M. NIXON ought to support. Late in 1967, when he was considering Graham understood that he served another run for the presidency, Richard Nixon to legitimize Johnson to an evangelical asked Graham to join him at the “Winter constituency, particularly in the South and White House” in Key Biscayne. The two Southwest. “I think he was attracted to me men spent several days together, talking, at least partially because I was well-known watching football games, going for long in Texas. I think he was more afraid of what walks on the beach, studying the Bible and the Baptist Standard was going to say about praying, and, of course, speculating about him than of or The New whether Nixon would have a chance at the York Times.” But he also felt there was more Republican nomination and, if he got it, to Johnson’s religiosity. When the president whether he could win. announced on March 31, 1968, that, in the Because of his loyalty to Johnson, interest of national unity, he would not Graham withheld his counsel. Finally, near seek reelection, Billy Graham was one of the end of their visit, Nixon said, “You still few Americans not surprised. Nearly a year haven’t told me what I ought to do.” Billy earlier, during a conversation at Johnson’s told him all he needed to hear: “Well, if you ranch on the Pedernales River, the president 4 ALL THE PRESIDENTS’ MAN

don’t, you’ll worry for the rest of your life the powerful and too fond of the things of whether you should have, won’t you?” That the world, [and] likened him to the prophets was enough for both of them. Nixon would of old who told the kings of what they report on several later occasions that Graham wanted to hear.” Without question, Graham had been more responsible than anyone had a remarkable talent for tickling the ears else for his decision to run, and Billy began of those he admired and a strong tendency immediately to resume knitting the fabric of to admire the famous and powerful. In return fellowship that would very nearly become a for such care and cultivation, Nixon sought pall on his ministry. and received Graham’s sincere friendship and “I knew what I had Graham’s efforts to help Nixon included good will, which translated into the priceless said to [Nixon] and inviting his friend to take a prominent seat political coin of obvious approval and in the VIP section of his 1968 Pittsburgh palpable, if coyly unspoken, endorsement. I knew what he had crusade, where the television cameras Before the 1972 election, Nixon told said to me. But I was could easily find him, and calling their Haldeman that it was “important to start unaware of all those friendship “one of the most cherished I an early liaison with BG and his people.” memos circulating in have had with anyone.” The telecast of that Haldeman later made a note to himself: service was aired just before the election. “I call [Graham] and set up date. No other the background. When Graham was also clearly visible in the studio level—can’t have leak. Must mobilize him and I read about that, I felt audience of one of the carefully managed his crowd.” It appears that nothing Graham like a sheep led to question-and-answer shows Nixon used did during the 1972 election was contrary to the slaughter,” during the campaign. his rights as a private citizen, or even as the Graham said. On a later show, the moderator asked most public of ministers, but his insistence the candidate if it was true that evangelist over decades that he had never engaged in Billy Graham was supporting him; Nixon partisan politics, but had always restricted his replied that he felt safe in reporting that it advice to spiritual matters, was simply not was true. Then, in an interview published four true. It is both a puzzle and a disappointment days before the election, Graham provided that he would make that claim. confirmation when he revealed that he had Graham fervently wanted to believe already cast his absentee vote for Richard that America and Richard Nixon were also Nixon. GOP campaign operatives exploited involved in “the work of God.” Bedrock that bit of good news in television ads that beliefs can withstand enormous challenge, ran right down to the wire on the following but never in Graham’s life had he been forced Tuesday. The ads had been in production for to deal with the cognitive dissonance posed at least three weeks before Graham’s well- for him by the issue that ended Richard timed announcement. Nixon’s presidency: Watergate. After Nixon was elected, Graham visited Graham’s first response to the Watergate the White House frequently and stayed in break-in and cover-up was to remind Nixon, close touch with Nixon’s office, particularly “King David had the same experience. He his Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman. In 1970, said: ‘They accuse me of things I have never he invited Nixon to his Knoxville Crusade, even heard about. I do them good but they providing the beleaguered president with return me harm.’ (Psalm 35:11-12).” He a positive identification with middle-of- apparently believed Nixon was certain to the-road Christianity. Later the same year, emerge unscathed. As more evidence came Graham took a leading role in Honor America to light, however, he acknowledged he was Day, a religio-patriotic extravaganza in “confused and sick about the whole thing” Washington on July 4. In return, Nixon served but said he felt certain the president was as the star attraction at Billy Graham Day in not seriously involved, since “his moral and Charlotte the following year. ethical principles wouldn’t allow him to do Not everyone felt comfortable with anything illegal like that.” When he finally this cozy symbiosis of church and state. read the transcripts of the White House Many who criticized him were liberals, but tapes in the late spring of 1974, what he even some of Graham’s fellow Southern found devastated him. He wept. He threw worried that he was “too close to 5 BAKER INSTITUTE REPORT // 02.11.19

up. And he almost lost his innocence about Richard Nixon. But he was more troubled by the profanity than by political espionage, Early in 1976, Graham announced that he suborning perjury, bribery, and other strikes planned “to stay a million miles away from at constitutional government. politics this year.” President Gerald Ford, The pain of that perception grew even however, wanted his support and asked sharper as Graham confronted the possibility his aides to figure out ways of identifying that Lyndon Johnson, John Kennedy, and with the evangelist. Graham declined the Dwight Eisenhower might also have shown suggestion that Ford be allowed to address him only one of several faces. And, inevitably, a crusade audience in Pontiac, Michigan. “I he had to confront his own possible, if think the backlash would not only hurt our unwitting, collusion in helping do unto others ministry,” he wrote to Ford, “but would hurt as had been done unto him. you as people would think you were ‘using’ Although Graham acknowledged, me.” He did, however, invite the president “Maybe I was naive at that time; maybe to attend the service and be recognized I was used,” he continued to insist that if from the platform, but noted that he would any politician ever exploited a relationship make a similar offer to the Democratic with him, Richard Nixon was “certainly not candidate, Governor . “In the one of them.” He did, however, draw back meantime,” he wrote, “I am praying that from overt political involvement. Friends God’s will be done on November 2, and that and close co-workers confirm that the the man of God’s choice will be elected.” revelations of Watergate had a profound and How different this was from his begging chastening impact on him. But one of his Harry Truman to grant him an audience or closest associates told me, “For the life of me, attend a crusade service. I honestly believe that, after all these years, “In my earlier days I Billy still has no idea of how badly Nixon tended to identify the snookered him.” JIMMY CARTER Kingdom of the God In February 1991, when furnished with Interestingly, though Jimmy Carter was a with the American way a copy of the manuscript of the first edition of A Prophet with Honor: The Billy Graham fellow Southern Baptist and had chaired two of life. I don’t think like Story, to permit him to check for factual Billy Graham crusades in , Graham that now.” errors (but with his own explicit disavowal not only declined to back him, but told one of editorial control), Graham acknowledged reporter, “I would rather have a man in office that he had been surprised by much that who is highly qualified to be president who he had read, which included internal White didn’t make much of a religious profession House memos and talking points about how than to have a man who had no qualifications to use him for political ends. He stretched his but who made a religious profession.” That arms along the back of a couch and said, “I did not sit well with Carter and the two men knew what I had said to the president and never became warm friends, but they did I knew what he had said to me. But I was make some peace, and the Grahams spent unaware of all those memos circulating in the at least one night in the White House during background. When I read about that, I felt like Carter’s administration. a sheep led to the slaughter.” When Richard Nixon died in 1994, Graham presided over the internationally THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT televised services and also at the more In ’s first issue of 1980, private graveside committal of his complex the year in which the “religious right” was and controversial old friend’s body, a fitting dramatically flexing its political muscles, end to a relationship that had drawn him Graham drew on personal experience to warn further into the political vortex than any his newly politicized brethren to “be wary of other of his flirtations with power and, in the exercising political influence” lest they lose process, had shown him the dangers of trying their spiritual impact. A few days later, in a to swim in a whirlpool. 6 ALL THE PRESIDENTS’ MAN

press conference prior to a preaching mission graciously when he declined those requests, at Oxford University, he noted that, “in my explaining that it would harm his ministry.3 earlier days I tended to identify the Kingdom The friendship was sufficiently close that of the God with the American way of life. I when Reagan was shot on March 30, 1981, don’t think like that now.” These were not the White House sent out an emergency just throwaway lines designed to please a call for Graham, who came immediately to British audience. In various press conferences to comfort and pray with Nancy and interviews in the United States, he Reagan. He also contacted the father of warned against “the mingling of spiritual and John Hinckley, the president’s assailant, and political goals,” observing, in notable contrast prayed with him over the telephone. In 1983, to his earlier willingness to offer prescriptions Reagan honored Graham by awarding him for national policy, that “We as clergy know the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Graham so very little to speak out with such authority maintained his friendship with Reagan after on the or superiority of he left office, visiting him on occasion and armaments. I do not intend to use what little noting with regret the toll Alzheimer’s disease influence I may have on [such] secular, non- was taking on another Great Communicator. moral, non-religious issues.” GEORGE H.W. BUSH Billy Graham and George H. W. Bush had Given this express reticence, Graham declined met and become friends through Bush’s to jump on board Ronald Reagan’s campaign mother, who had invited the evangelist to train, but he did manage to give it a well- their Long Island home during his summer- publicized friendly wave in 1980. Fortuitously long 1957 crusade. In for the candidate, Graham was holding a later years, the Grahams spent several short crusade in Indianapolis at the time of the vacations at the Bush family’s summer home Indiana primary, and he gave Reagan a nice in Kennebunkport, Maine. boost by joining him for breakfast, during In 1988, Graham attended the which he congratulated him warmly on his Democratic convention, giving rise to strong showing in the Texas primary the day speculation that the Democratic Party before. Reagan was duly appreciative, and all was once again acceptable to the white three major television networks suggested evangelicals who had so largely deserted it that the meeting had given him a remarkably in the two previous presidential elections, well-timed boost. but that interpretation did not last long. Graham claimed to have visited Reagan Republicans were not about to concede Billy in the White House more times than with any Graham to the Democrats. He led a prayer other president, with the possible exception and sat next to throughout of Johnson, and to have exchanged numerous her husband’s acceptance speech, looking private telephone calls and letters in which every inch as if he felt quite at ease in the he offered Reagan encouragement, spiritual Republican box, even though he told the counsel, and assurance that he remembered , “I always stay politically him regularly in his prayers. They sometimes neutral.” Five months later, he would again discussed items in the news, but in an early look comfortable as he mounted the platform conversation with me during the president’s at the inauguration and thanked God that “in second term, Graham chuckled and said, Thy sovereignty Thou has permitted George “Reagan isn’t really interested in politics. Bush to lead us at this momentous hour of All he wants to talk about is the old days our history for the next four years.” in Hollywood.” He did acknowledge that Graham took no public—and, as far as the president or members of his staff had is known, no private—role in the campaign, occasionally asked him to speak favorably but he never claimed he had no favorite in about or appear alongside a candidate in the race. “Interestingly,” he said, “George a race, but that Reagan had responded and I have never talked politics. Not one 7 BAKER INSTITUTE REPORT // 02.11.19

time. Never mentioned them. He’s never Hillary turned to Bill and they exchanged asked me to do anything for him.” Despite high fives. that insistence, on the evening of January No surprise, this statement drew a 16, 1991, when American and allied forces considerable and mixed reaction from launched a devastating air attack on Iraq the audience. Some clearly shared the after its invasion of Kuwait, Graham’s sentiment; others were at least amused at invited and well-publicized presence in recognizing it was sure to make the news. the White House and his leading a The next day, Graham’s son Franklin, by service for key political and military leaders this time president of the Billy Graham the next morning lent powerful symbolic Evangelistic Association (BGEA) made it legitimacy to the president’s claim to be clear that people should not take his father’s conducting a just war. statements literally. A few days later, he issued a formal statement saying, “President Clinton has the charisma, personality, and communication skills, but an evangelist has to have the call of God, which President When the nation proved unwilling to choose Clinton obviously does not have, and my his old friend to fill a second term in the father understands that.” His father, he White House, Graham found much to admire said, had been joking and “certainly did Calling them in Bill Clinton and was pleased to lead not intend for his comments to be an “a great couple” prayers at both of his inaugurations, giving endorsement for Senator .”4 him the distinction of participating in eight Graham recalled having inaugurations for six presidents — more told President Clinton than any other figure in American history GEORGE W. BUSH that, “when he left except John Marshall, who was Chief Justice the presidency, he of the Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835. George W. Bush has said many times that should be an evangelist, In another manifestation of his role as the a private walk on the beach at the Bush “people’s pastor,” Graham joined Clinton in compound in Kennebunkport in 1985 turned because he had all the a moving prayer service in the aftermath of his life around and moved him to recommit gifts and he’d leave the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal himself to Jesus Christ. “He led me to the his wife to run the office building in April 1995. path and I began walking.” Though Graham country.” In a more private role, he counseled took pleasure in that development, he said privately with the Clintons during their he does not remember the specifics of that marital trials. He surprised many during conversation and they had little contact the by saying, on during the run for the White House in 2000. NBC’s Today show, “I forgive [Clinton] … But on the weekend before the election because I know the frailty of human nature when Graham was holding a crusade in and I know how hard it is—especially a Jacksonville, Bush and his wife Laura joined strong, vigorous young man like he is … Billy and Franklin for a private breakfast and He has such a tremendous personality that then spoke to a small group of reporters I think the ladies just go wild over him.” I to make brief statements. Graham said, “I am unaware of Hillary Clinton’s response to don’t endorse candidates, but I’ve come as this comment, but the friendship endured. close to it I guess now as at any time in my During his June 2005 evangelistic campaign life because I think it’s extremely important. in , both Clintons joined I’ve already voted. I’ll just let you guess Graham on the stage. Speaking of them as who I voted for. And my family—the same his “wonderful friends of many years,” he way.”5 The vote was decided by said, “They’re a great couple” and recalled 542 votes, five of them by members of the having told the president that, “when Supreme Court. he left the presidency, he should be an Were it not for that fortuitous 1985 evangelist, because he had all the gifts and conversation with Billy Graham, George W. he’d leave his wife to run the country.” The Bush might not have become governor, Clintons took the remark quite positively; then president. 8 ALL THE PRESIDENTS’ MAN

out evangelical Christians to vote for the governor. Soon after, BGEA produced full- Graham followed the 2008 presidential page ads bearing Graham’s iconic visage campaign on television and welcomed and signature alongside copy urging voters Republican candidate John McCain to his to support “those who protect the sanctity home. A temporary health episode forced of life and support the biblical definition of cancellation of a similar visit with Democratic marriage between a man a woman.” The candidate Barack Obama. Graham himself ads appeared in USA Today, The Wall Street gave no public indication of his preference Journal, and newspapers in battleground between the candidates. Franklin also states, with smaller versions sent to professed not to be offering an endorsement, churches to insert in their Sunday bulletins. but noted that the differences between the Graham representatives note that the ads do two candidates were substantial and “the not mention a specific candidate or party, choice Americans make in November will an observation surely intended more for affect our nation for years to come.” A mass the IRS than for the target audience. Given BGEA mailing that contained this observation that Romney opposed same-sex marriage, “[If I had a chance to] go that Obama supported it and that by doing included a picture of Senator McCain seated back and do anything between Billy and Franklin. so had, to use Franklin’s words, “shaken his In April 2010, at a request from the fist” at God, the ads left no doubt about their differently, I would White House, the elder Graham received intent. To clarify matters further, Franklin have steered clear of President Obama, marking the first time an wrote a piece in the October issue of Decision politics. Looking back, explaining “Why evangelicals can vote for incumbent president had ever visited him I know I sometimes at his Montreat, , home. With a Mormon” and the BGEA website deleted a Franklin present, they met for half an hour long-running item identifying crossed the line, and I and prayed together, president for preacher as a cult. The explanation offered for the wouldn’t do that now.” as well as preacher for president. After latter action was that BGEA did not want the meeting, Graham issued a statement “to participate in a theological debate about expressing pleasure at the visit. Franklin later something that has become politicized described Obama as “a very nice man” and during this campaign.” “very gracious,” but indicated he was not Because of Graham’s reentering the sure if Obama was a true Christian and told political arena “out of due season” by host that he wished offering an endorsement of Romney and “the president could come under some good, focusing on a topic that had never been sound biblical teaching.” central to his ministry when he was active, Perhaps as a caution to his less some observers charged that Franklin had circumspect son, Billy had told Christianity steered his father in that direction, perhaps Today in early 2011 that if he had a chance against his will or at least without full to “go back and do anything differently, I enthusiasm. Skeptics, including former and would have steered clear of politics.” Though then-current BGEA employees, wondered grateful for the opportunities to minister to if Graham actually made the pro-Romney powerful people, he admitted that, “looking statements attributed to him or had much back, I know I sometimes crossed the line, to do with the advertising campaign. and I wouldn't do that now.” But in 2012, Franklin turned away reporters seeking he appeared once again to cross that self- direct confirmation or clarification from Billy drawn line. In October, with the election only Graham himself, on the grounds that his weeks away, Franklin brought Governor Mitt father’s infirmities made that impossible. Romney to Montreat to visit his father. A disappointed insider familiar with the That visit led immediately to a report ministry for decades suggested that, in that the elder Graham had said he would do the absence of a definitive statement by all he could to help Romney in the campaign Billy Graham, or even if one should be “and you can quote me on that,” adding forthcoming, perhaps the best course would that Franklin had pledged to help turn be “to remember him as he was for most of his ministry.” 9 BAKER INSTITUTE REPORT // 02.11.19

hear, I choose to believe Billy Graham would DONALD J. TRUMP have withheld his approval and suggest that In an April 2011 interview for ABC News, other evangelicals follow his example, lest told Christiane Amanpour they incur an indelible stain. that he found much to admire in ’s political and economic views. ENDNOTES Trump liked the sound of that and contacted Franklin. Their exchange obviously went 1. Shaun Casey, The Making of a Catholic well. In 2012, BGEA received a $100,000 President—Kennedy vs. Nixon 1960 (Oxford donation from the Trump Foundation; University Press, 2010). Samaritan’s Purse, an aid organization 2. “Billy Graham preaches at LBJ’s burial headed by Franklin, received $25,000. On service in Stonewall, TX in 1973,” YouTube , 2013, Donald and Melania Trump video, 13:34, January 30, 2012. sat alongside News Corp. chairman and 3. Nancy Gibbs and Duffy, The CEO Rupert Murdoch at a table next to Billy Preacher and the Presidents (Center Street, Graham as more than 800 people gathered in 2007), 279. a hotel ballroom in Asheville to celebrate the 4. I was present at this service. Most evangelist’s 95th birthday. accounts of the event had Graham saying, In keeping with his determination to “let her run the country,” which was the light a fire under lukewarm Christians during clear meaning of “leave.” Peter Boyer, in the 2016 election campaign, Franklin led “The ,” The New Yorker, August a “Decision America Tour” that featured 22, 2005, got it right. I was looking at a rallies at the capitols of all 50 states. He large section of Graham relatives and team professed to be nonpartisan and insisted members to observe their reaction and did that the aim of his campaign was “to put not see the Clintons “slap a high five,” but I God back in the political process.” He left trust Boyer’s account. little doubt, however, as to how he thought 5. Ibid., 337. See more Baker Institute Reports at: God wanted people to vote “according to www.bakerinstitute.org/baker-reports His will and purpose.” He also opined that, This publication was written by a despite the widely publicized blots in the AUTHOR researcher (or researchers) who candidate’s copybook, “I think Donald Trump participated in a Baker Institute project. has changed. I think God is working on his William Martin, Ph.D., is the Harry and Hazel Wherever feasible, this research is heart and in his life.” And when a substantial Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and reviewed by outside experts before it is minority of voters elected Trump president, Public Policy at the Baker Institute and the released. However, the views expressed Chavanne Emeritus Professor of Sociology herein are those of the individual Franklin professed not to be surprised. The author(s), and do not necessarily explanation was simple: “God showed up.” at Rice University. His areas of research and represent the views of Rice University’s writing focus on two major sets of issues: Baker Institute for Public Policy. 1) the political implications of religion, CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS particularly fundamentalist religions and the © 2019 Rice University’s Baker Institute importance of the separation of religion and for Public Policy Because he was basically a trustworthy government, or “church and state”; and 2) man of deep integrity, Billy Graham found it This material may be quoted or ways to reduce the harms associated with difficult to believe that not all people seeking reproduced without prior permission, both drug abuse and drug policy. provided appropriate credit is given to or holding high office shared those traits the author and Rice University’s Baker in similar measure, even when evidence of Institute for Public Policy. their faulty character was no secret. But I think he did learn. We can never know for Cite as: sure, but hypothetically, should he ever have Martin, William. 2019. All the Presidents’ Man. Baker Institute Report been asked to support a candidate, male or no. 02.11.19. Rice University’s female whose amorality, bigotry, corruption, Baker Institute for Public Policy, pathological narcissism, total disregard for , Texas. truth, and fundamental meanness were apparent to all with eyes to see and ears to 10