I've never written a post criticizing John McCain for not meeting with Billy Graham Ministries but I've criticized him in many thread posts for seemingly stiff arming Billy Graham and those who hold him in high esteem. Billy Graham and his son Franklin are pretty much universally respected throughout the Christian Community as well as in leadership and religious circles of all kinds. He's been the unofficial pastor to presidents meeting and ministering every single president since Harry Truman. Graham is one of those rare public figures that refuse to endorse political figures and his personal political persuasion is impossible to determine.
There have been some stories that McCain had initially refused to meet with him from News Max saying McCain out right refused to meet with Graham and according to News Max had never attempted to schedule a meeting. This allegation was allegedly confirmed by ranking officials in Billy Graham Ministries.
The McCain Campaign defended itself saying they had made attempts to meet with Graham but couldn't get Billy Graham Ministries to discuss meeting with him. Ranking members of Billy Graham Ministries contended that no attempt to arrange a meeting had ever been attempted, setting up a he said he said scenario. I don't remember the specifics but there were statements from the McCain Campaign they couldn't get Graham to come to AZ, or wherever McCain was at the time. Sadly, this statement only aggravated the Christian Community even more considering Graham's advanced years and failing health.
At the time I made statements to the effect that I knew who I believed and I criticized the McCain Campaign for making a huge blunder by not meeting with Franklin or Billy Graham. I thought it was an even bigger insult considering Senator Obama had already met with them. My contention at the time was that McCain lost nothing for meeting with Graham but lost enormously by refusing to meet with a man revered almost unanimously by the SoCon leg of the Conservative stool. It was my contention that this appeared to prove the contempt many in the religious community believe the Republican nominee holds for them. Obama met with Franklin Graham several weeks ago while McCain had not and many in the Christian Community, Including me, were beginning to grumble because it looked like McCain didn't want our vote.
This is the backdrop in the run up to this weekend which included McCain's meeting both Billy and Franklin Graham. apparently it was a cordial meeting that ended well though the Grahams did not endorse him. This is no surprise since the Grahams don't endorse candidates or Parties and is in large part why they are so respected by such a wide cross section of Christians on the Left and the Right.
John McCain deserves credit for this meeting and at this point, I wish to retract my earlier criticisms. The facts leading up to the meeting this weekend are what they are and only God knows what is in John McCain's heart were Christians are concerned. There is no way to prove which side of the earlier argument over whether the McCain Campaign snubbed Billy Graham and there is nothing more to be gained by beating a dead horse...As I said earlier...this issue matters little to many in the rest of the conservative movement but it mattered greatly to SoCons. Now that the meeting has taken place it gains McCain little in increased votes but has taken one potential of losing massive votes from the SoCon Wing off the table.
That being said. John McCain deserves credit for the meeting regardless of his reasons. By simply making the effort McCain has demonstrated that while he has differences with the Christian Community he sincerely cares enough to seek our vote.
So a hardy Way to go John is in order!
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