August 14, 2008
The next Billy Graham
by
The Economist
On August 16th John McCain and Barack Obama will both appear at one of America's great mega-churches, Saddleback, in Lake Forest, California, to discuss "leadership and compassion". The result of the "discussion"--it is not a formal debate because the candidates will be appearing in sequence rather than side by side--will not only help "values voters" decide which man they support.
It could also determine whether the host of the event, Rick Warren, can lay claim to one of the most sought-after titles in America, that of "the next Billy Graham".
Billy Graham has been the most powerful Christian in America since the 1950s. Eisenhower summoned Mr Graham on his deathbed. Richard Nixon played golf with him. George Bush senior called him "America's pastor". George Bush junior credits him with planting the "mustard seed" of faith in his heart. When Mr Graham was hospitalised in 1976, three presidents (Nixon, Ford and Jimmy Carter) rang him in a single day.
But Mr Graham is 89 years old and unwell. He led his last "crusade", in Flushing, New York, in 2005. He now seldom leaves his home in Montreat, North Carolina. He remains a name to conjure with: John McCain recently visited him to pray for "God's will to be done in the upcoming election". But for the most part the prophet has retreated to the mountain-top.
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