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This file contains:
From Butterfield "For Record" RE: phone call from Billy Graham. 2 pgs. [Subject: White House Staff] [Memo], 8/7/1972
Copy of a letter from Billy Graham to RN RE: recent Los Angeles Times article. Handwritten notes on original added by unknown. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Letter], 8/4/1972
Copy of an article explaining why RN's connection to Graham gives him an edge over McGovern in the election of 1972. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Newspaper], no date
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WHSF: Contested, 7-59
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This file contains:
From Butterfield "For Record" RE: phone call from Billy Graham. 2 pgs. [Subject: White House Staff] [Memo], 8/7/1972
Copy of a letter from Billy Graham to RN RE: recent Los Angeles Times article. Handwritten notes on original added by unknown. 2 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Letter], 8/4/1972
Copy of an article explaining why RN's connection to Graham gives him an edge over McGovern in the election of 1972. 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Newspaper], no date
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Contested Materials Files
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Contested Materials Collection
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Document Description
7
59
8/7/1972
White House Staff
Memo
From Butterfield "For Record" RE: phone
call from Billy Graham. 2 pgs.
7
59
8/4/1972
Campaign
Letter
Copy of a letter from Billy Graham to RN
RE: recent Los Angeles Times article.
Handwritten notes on original added by
unknown. 2 pgs.
7
59
>
Campaign
Newspaper
Copy of an article explaining why RN's
connection to Graham gives him an edge
over McGovern in the election of 1972. 1 pg.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Page 1 of 1
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 7, 1972
ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL/PERSONAL
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
SUBJECT:
Telephone Call from Reverend Billy Graham
Billy Graham placed a call to the President late this afternoon from
Montreat. I took the call, because the President was meeting with
staff members, and learned that Billy sought the President's advice
about a matter which he described as "strictly personal". He said
that he would tell me about it if I would keep it confidential and relay
it to the President within the next hour or two. I assured him that
the matter would be kept private and that I would do what I could to
get back to him by 8:00 p.m. Then, he told me of his dilemma.
He had been called last night by Sargent Shriver, who asked him --
based on their long and close friendship -- to lead the prayer at his
acceptance speech ceremony in Washingtom tomorrow evening
(August 8). Billy told me that Shriver said, "I know that you're behind
the President, and that you will vote for him. But I'm asking you
this favor because you and I are such good friends and because you are
the finest person I know in the Protestant ministry. 11 Billy seemed to
feel that since Shriver put it the way he did i.e. strictly on a friendship
basis he should probably accept. Yet he admitted that if he accepted,
he would have to reverse his earlier decision and attend the Republican
Convention. He expressed the hope that he could retain a completely
"bipartisan posture" throughout the early stages of the Campaign
"at least until about October". He said that if the polls should indicate
a close Presidential race during that last month before the Election,
he could (in that way) throw his support to the side of the President
more effectively. He went on to say that he was truly in a quandry about
what to do and that he very much wanted the President's personal advice.
He closed the conversation by assuring me that he would abide by any
decision made at this end of the line that he would do nothing to hurt.
the President or to help McGovern.
ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL/PERSONAL
- 2 -
In accordance with standard procedure, I tried to contact
Bob Haldeman in California, but learned that he would not be in touch
with the Western White House switchboard for "another hour and a
half". That being the case, I mentioned the Graham matter to the
President while chatting with him about some other things --
schedule proposals, etc. The President listened carefully, then
answered firmly, "He should not do it. You call him back and tell
him that it would be tantamount to his having attended the Democratic
National Convention."
About a half hour later I called Billy and told him what had transpired.
I could sense some disappointment. He asked me if I told the
President about Shriver's having acknowledged that he (Billy) was a
Nixon supporter and that he would be voting, of course, for the
President. I told him that that part of the story had been made clear
to the President. Then he referred to his father-in-law, "a staunch
Nixon supporter and an ultra-conservative if there ever was one", saying,
"He seems to think it would be perfectly alright for me to accept
Shriver's invitation. After all, I'm a clergyman and I would be there
only for the purpose of leading those people in prayer."
Because the President had tried unsuccessfully to telephone me only
a few moments before, I told Billy that I would have an occasion to talk
to the President once again, and that I would seek a confirmation of the
earlier decision.
Needless to say, I did not mention the subject to the President when
I spoke to him later that evening. He had made his point earlier in the
day.
At 8:15 p.m. I called Bob Haldeman, ran the story by him quickly,
got his agreement to the President's decision, and in the process learned
more about Billy's early summer declinations to invitations to both
major Party conventions on the basis of his wanting to hold to a
bipartisan stance throughout most of the Campaign period. Like the
President, Haldeman saw Graham's acceptance of the Shriver invitation
as a radical change of position. There would be no hiding of his presence
at the nationally-televised ceremony and SO it would be taken by a great
many Americans as a gesture of support.
At 8:35 I called Billy and reiterated the President's feeling (and advice).
He said, "Fine. Then, that's exactly what I will do."
Alexander P. Butterfield
F.Y.I.
BILLY GRAHAM
Montreat, N.C. 28757
August 4, 1972
RW
Dear Mr. President:
Enclosed is a copy of an article
from the Los Angeles Times that is quite
interesting. I have not read this new
book "Religion and the New Majority" but
it is being written up in newspapers
throughout the country and being quoted
on many television and radio shows. I
think this brief review from the Los
Angeles Times is worth your reading, not
because of my own personal involvement,
but because it does emphasize what I have
been pointing out to you in a number of
conversations we have had that there is
an emerging evangelical strength in the
country that is going to have a strong
bearing on social and political matters
probably for a generation to come.
I enjoyed talking with you on the
phone the other evening. I had just
walked in the door from California.
For what it's worth, I would
seriously question the wisdom of your
becoming personally involved in the
campaign before early September. If the
polls and the mood of the country con-
tinue as is you may be wise to do only a
-2-
minimum of campaigning. I think Senator
McGovern is perfectly capable of making
further mistakes. However, I think the
greatest problem you may have to face is
apathy and complacency.
Be assured of my constant prayers
on your behalf.
Most Billy cordially yours,
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Enc.
Billy Graham Values
week, "would suggest that
might change that image
is President at the time,
finity in their analysis
Graham's theological con-
somewhat during the cam-
Strober said.
the issues," Strober sa
stituency numbers about
paign.
"One of the reasons for
"Both men have said th
30 million." (That has
Strober. who studied at
the Graham rise has been
Seen Key to Election
been the estimated num-
two evangelical schools,
what America needs mc
the decline of the major
ber of conservative, evan-
Gordon College in Massa-
is individual moral a:
e nominations," Strober
gelical Protestants in the
chusetts and Moody Bible
said.
spiritual awakening in (
Nixon's Affinity With Evangelist Gives
United States, regardless
Institute in Chicago, also
Graham's moderately
der to solve problems."
of denominational affilia-
has been active in politics.
Him Start on McGovern, 2 Authors Say
conservative positions in
Graham and Nixon a
tions.)
In 1968 he served as coor-
religion and social matters
parently see eye-to-eye
"Added to that are many
dinator of Clergy and Lay-
have a broad appeal, in-
religious matters as we
BY JOHN DART
millions who would not
men for the late Sen.
cluding sizable numbers of
Nixon having been rais
Times Religion Writer
agree with Graham's
Robert F. Kennedy in
Catholics who have appre-
in a conservative, evang
theological position, but
New York State.
ciated his opposition to
lical Quaker tradition. M
The presidential candi-
leader of the politically de-
would agree with his anal-
McGovern forces are
abortion in most cases and
Govern, while also
date whose values seem
cisive majority," Strober
ysis of the problems and
counting on heavy favori-
his favoring of prayer in
Protestant, is more iden
closest to that of the Rev.
and Streiker said, "the
pote ntial of American
tism by young people, but
schools.
fied with the influent
Billy Graham stands the
man who more consistent-
life." Strober said.
Strober questions that
"Nixon has made a very
liberal segment of t
best chance to win in
ly than anyone else articu-
"For exam they
image.
concerted effort to identi-
United Methodist Churc
lates the aspirations and
would support his rejec-
2nd Most Admired
fy with Graham over the
"We're not saying a p
November, suggests a new
fears of the bulk of his fel-
tion of extremism," he
last couple of years," said
son necessarily votes
1
study of the evangelist's
low citizens."
said. "They would agree
At the evangelical youth
Strober, citing the Pres-
faith," Strober said of 1
effect on "Middle Ameri-
Strober and Streiker are
with him that America has
gathering, Explo 72, in
ident's appearance at Gra-
and Streiker's conclusion
ca."
authors of "Religion and
been singled out both for
Dallas last month, a sam-
ham's Tennessee crusade
"but there certainly is
By that yardstick, Pres-
the New Majority," pub-
special blessing and spe-
pling of the more than 75,-
in 1970 and the White
tendency for those W
Ident Nixon has a running
lished before the Demo-
cial responsibility.
000 registrants by a Dallas
House services at which
believe in personal salv
cratic National Conven-
newspaper showed that
Work Ethic, Not Reform
Graham has been the only
tion to vote for the can
start on Sen. George S.
McGovern because of the
tion by Association Press.
57% backed Nixon, 11%
date who seems to stre
repeater.
Streiker, an author of
"They would agree with
favored George Wallace
former's close association
"I don't think Graham is
the role of individuals a
and ideological affinity
several books, is on the fa-
Graham's stress on indivi-
and 11% liked McGovern.
letting himself be used, be-
their responsibility to
culty of the Temple Uni-
duals and the work ethic
Strober, who attended the
cause they have a real af-
ciety."
with Mr. Graham.
versity religion depart-
-in contrast with those
event, said he found only
"Any analysis which
ment. Strober, a Pres-
programs that seem to
two persons out of the 100
perceives Billy Graham to
byterian lay minister,
stress mass social reform
he talked to at random
be either the greatest revi-
worked nearly four years
and to be concerned with
who said they would vote
valist of his time or White
for the interreligious af-
manipulating masses of
for McGovern.
House 'chaplain' falls
fairs department of the
people."
Gallup Polls have shown
short of defining his actual
American Jewish Commit-
That constituency can be
Billy Graham to be the
place in American socie-
tee, which has extensive
"quite progressive when it
second most admired
ty," according to authors
relations with U.S. Chris-
comes to individual con-
American behind whoever
Gerald S. Strober and
tian bodies.
cerns, such as higher Med-
Lowell D. Streiker.
"Our analysis," Strober
icare and Social Security,
"Graham is today the
said in an interview this
but they become quite sus-
picious about social theory
talk," Strober said.
"I think it will be very
difficult for McGovern to
prevail in the election," he
said.
"To this new majority
McGovern appears to be
an advocate of mass social
change," said Strober
while conceding that the
Decmocratic nominee