McCain Meets With The Grahams

By 316Networks.com

Published: June 30, 2008

Presidential hopeful John McCain met Sunday with evangelist Billy Graham and his son, Franklin, at the family's mountaintop retreat in western North Carolina.

McCain, who has been actively courting and reassuring more religious voters and conservatives, visited privately with the Grahams, with whom McCain's father was well acquainted.

"We had a very excellent conversation. I appreciated the opportunity to visit with them," McCain said after the 45-minute meeting.

This was the first sit-down meeting for McCain with Billy Graham, now 89, and his son, Franklin

The world-renowned elder evangelist, while still in poor health, apparently felt well enough to visit with McCain, who flew to North Carolina expecting only to meet with his son. Franklin Graham is president and chief executive of the evangelistic association his father founded in 1950.

McCain said his meeting was not one of recuitment. "I didn't ask for their votes," McCain said, calling them both "great leaders."

After the meeting, Franklin Graham issued a statement which noted the Arizona senator's "personal faith and his moral clarity."

"The senator and I both have sons currently serving in the military, and also have a common interest in aviation," Franklin Graham said. "I was impressed by his personal faith and his moral clarity on important social issues facing America today."

Franklin Graham said his father told a story about meeting McCain's father, who was a Navy admiral, on a trip to Vietnam when John McCain was being held as a prisoner of war. He said the two prayed for John during his captivity.

Franklin Graham said his father "expressed gratitude for the senator's long and brave service" to the country.

"We had an opportunity to pray for the senator and his family," says Franklin, "and for God's will to be done in this upcoming election."

While he said he nor his father were endorsing anyone for president, they urged "men and women of faith everywhere" to be involved in the political process.

"I encourage people to vote for the candidate at every level who best represents their values and convictions," Franklin added. "And then to pray for those in authority over us as required in Scripture."

Earlier this month, Sen. Barack Obama, McCain's Democratic rival, also met with the younger Graham, along with some 30 other evangelicals in Chicago.

"He is a man whose family is respected, incredibly respected," says McCain of the younger Graham. "I think the Graham family really transcends politics in America. Billy Graham was an adviser to every president and so I'm not sure that there is any - there certainly is no political aspect to the meeting that I will have."