Billy Graham on Sarah Palin (Sort Of)

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks on January 26, 2009

Billy Graham and John McCainBilly Graham has a long history of involvement in presidential politics, sometimes being less than completely neutral. But the then-89-year-old evangelist mostly stayed out of the 2008 presidential campaign. He did meet with Republican presidential candidate John McCain in the summer of 2008. In October eventual winner and Democratic candidate Barack Obama tried to meet with the evangelist but the visit was canceled due to Graham’s health.

But perhaps the under-reported story is how Billy Graham felt about the vice-presidential candidate and Alaskan governor Sarah Palin. According to Gigi Graham, Billy’s oldest daughter, the evangelist was fond of Palin:

“He’s a typical man. I don’t care if he’s 90 years old, he thought that she is so pretty,” Gigi Graham said. “He loves a pretty woman.”

The comment has little context and is buried in an article about Billy Graham turning 90, but it’s still bizarre. It’s also sad that the comment continues the widespread emphasis on Palin’s looks instead of her politics. Hopefully it’s more an out-of-context joke on Gigi’s part.

George Beverly Shea Turns 100

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks on

George Beverly Shea and Billy GrahamGeorge Beverly Shea has been singing solos at Billy Graham crusades for nearly 60 years and on February 1, 2009 he’ll celebrate his 100th birthday. There’s a private party planned for Shea at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove and a concert scheduled for March 28 that will likely be televised sometime in May.

Billy Graham first recruited Shea in 1944 to appear on his new radio show “Songs in the Night.”

“Bev was the very first person I asked to join me in evangelism,” Graham said. “He was well known in the Midwest, but at the same time he was humble … It was God who brought us together. [Shea's] rich, bass baritone voice has touched the hearts of millions in our Crusades … I don’t believe I’ve ever heard him utter an unkind or critical word about anyone.”

Christian publisher Ambassador International is also collecting birthday wishes for Shea as a part of promotions for their upcoming biography, George Beverly Shea: Tell Me the Story.