Q: What political office was Billy Graham encouraged to run for?
A: President of the United States
For a while, Billy Graham was a familiar face at the White House, acting as an adviser and befriending several U.S. presidents.
Every U.S. president since World War II has met with Billy Graham, and he’s attended many National Prayer Breakfast ceremonies. The president Mr. Graham may have been closest to was Lyndon B. Johnson, who often hosted Mr. Graham at the White House, Camp David and his Texas ranch.
One day while swimming together at Camp David, President Johnson said in front of a group of people, “Billy, you ought to be president of the United States. If you do run, I’d like to be your campaign manager.” Billy laughed and said, “You’re joking.” Johnson replied, “No, I’m serious. I mean it.”
Though Mr. Graham politely declined running for office—citing his call as an evangelist—he’s often talked about the importance of praying for our nation and exercising the “moral responsibility” to vote.
“Christians can honor God and assist in guiding our nation by voting in elections at all levels of government,” Billy Graham has said. “The very fact that there is moral ambiguity in politics indicates the need for Christians to participate in the elective process. Every nation stands in need of moral and righteous leadership.”
