Billy Graham wants Mitt Romney in the White House and is willing to offer what help he can to put the GOP challenger there.
The evangelical leader on Thursday offered Romney help in getting evangelicals to turn out for the November 6 election, Reuters reported. Billy Graham at 94 remains one of the most recognized religious figures in the world and has helped a number of presidents and political leaders as a spiritual adviser, including Barack Obama in 2011.
Mitt Romney visited Graham’s compound, where he met with Billy and his son Franklin for about half an hour.
“What can I do for you?” Billy Graham asked Romney.
“Prayer is the most helpful thing you can do for me,” Romney said.
But Billy Graham said he would do more, and his support alone will be a boost to Romney in getting evangelicals to the polls. The Christian right had been suspicious of Romney, a Mormon. Many evangelical voters believe that, as a Mormon, Romney is not a true Christian, The Associated Press noted .
Franklin Graham himself has expressed that view, saying in an interview with MSNBC that he could not call Romney a Christian.
“He is a Mormon,” Franklin Graham, who endorsed Rick Santorum in the Republican primaries, said in February. “Most Christians would not recognize Mormonism … but he would be a good president if he won the nomination.”
The turnaround for Mitt Romney and the support of both Franklin and Billy Graham could provide a much-needed boost in the final weeks of the campaign.
Since trailing Obama in national and swing state polls for most of the summer and early fall, things have finally turned the corner for Mitt Romney. His better-than-expected debate performance energized the party and helped Romney climb in the polls, and now Billy Graham’s endorsement can help solidify that momentum.