A Prophet with Honor
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383.“America’s Largest Coffeehouse.” Described in Philip Tracy, “Billy Graham Plays the Garden,” Commonweal, July 25, 1969, pp. 457–59; Pollock, Crusades, p. 302.
383.“terrific music” . . . “I really do.” Charlotte Observer, December 29, 1969.
383.Hippie Satanists disrupt service. Chicago Daily News, June 9, 1971; Christianity Today, July 2, 1971; Billy Graham, Approaching Hoofbeats (Waco, Tex.: Word Books, 1983), pp. 85–86. One observer recalled that “I saw these fellows not dressed in shabby clothes, but dressed in felt or satin robes, velvet robes, purple robes. I think they were devil worshipers smoking pot right there in the meeting.” The Reverend Hubert Mitchell, oral history, 1976, CN 141, Box 13, Folder 16, BGCA.
384.Anne’s modeling. Patricia Daniels Cornwell, A Time for Remembering: The Ruth Bell Graham Story (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983), p. 144.
384.Franklin’s rebellion. Ibid., pp. 161–67. Houston Chronicle, March 5, 1988.
385.Ruth’s vehicular adventures. Ibid., pp. 207–209.
386.1969 New York television crusade. Pollock, Crusades, pp. 297–301.
386.Euro ’70. Dave Foster, “Euro ’70,” Christianity Today, May 8, 1970, pp. 24–25; Billy Graham: Euro ’70, (Minneapolis, World Wide Publications, 1971), passim. Information regarding special platform, synchronization of translation, and German Evangelical Alliance, John Pollock, Billy Graham, Evangelist to the World (New York: Harper & Row, 1979; Crusade Edition, Minneapolis: World Wide Publications,) pp. 76, 77, 80.
388.Melvin: “This made me withdraw into a shell.” Quoted in Charlotte News, September 20, 1968.
389.Melvin spreads manure. Melvin Graham, interview, November 17, 1987. A brief version of this story appeared in the Charlotte Observer, September 21, 1968.
389.Melvin speaks at Anaheim crusade. Account based on John Wesley White segment on Hour of Decision, quoted in Pollock, Crusades, p. 310. “I’m not an ordained preacher.” Melvin Graham, interview.
390.“I never would speak . . . wouldn’t work.” Melvin Graham, interview.
390.“After all these years . . . I think a lot of him.” Charlotte News, September 20, 1968.
390.BG makes “most-admired” and “best-dressed” lists. Charlotte Observer, March 4, 1970; Charlotte News, January 28, 1970.
390.Billy on the beach. Ruth Graham, It’s My Turn (Old Tappan, N.J.: Fleming H. Revell, 1982), p. 79.
390.BG “a symbol of hope . . . a friend of mankind.” Religious News Service, July 30, 1970, quoted in Lowell D. Streiker and Gerald S. Strober, Religion and the New Majority: Billy Graham, Middle America, and the Politics of the 70’s (New York: Association Press, 1972), p. 30.
390.BG offers to mention conversation with RN. Memo, Butterfield to RN, January 1, 1971, Folder EX RE 10 “Football, 1/1/71,” SF RE Box 5, WHCF, NPM.
391.“would be reaching.” HRH note, February 14, 1971, Folder 2/15–3/31, Box 43, Haldeman Notes, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
391.HRH feels RN should attend Billy Graham Day. HRH Note, June 18, 1970, in Folder 5/20/71–6/30/71, Box 43, Haldeman Notes, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
391.White House takes control of Nixon appearance at Billy Graham Day. William Henkel, Jr., White House memo, reported by Michael Schwartz, Charlotte Observer, June 8, 1974.
391.HRH: “Great” . . . “not our people.” Memo reported on CBS News, August 1, 1973, CN 74, VT 1-CBS, BGCA; also New York Times, Charlotte News, etc. August 2, 1973, Charlotte Observer, June 8, 1974. Nixon’s men were understandably frustrated by the demonstrations that dogged their leader but recognized the need to handle encounters in a planned way. In a sardonically playful note, Colson wrote the following memo to John Dean on May 23, 1972: “I have just received the Haldeman memo attached dated May 19 re contact with demonstrators. According to H’s memo, I am to clear all contacts well in advance with you. This to advise you that I am planning tomorrow night to drive my Pontiac Station wagon upon the curb of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House and run over all of the hippies who are lying there. My plan is to do this while they are asleep sometime between 2 and 3 a.m. Would you please let me know what coordination you would like to arrange?” Folder “May 1972,” Box 5, John Dean Files, WHSF, NPM.
391.“When I started” . . . “look at all this!” Charlotte Observer, October 15, 1971.
392.Telegrams and attendees on Billy Graham Day. Charlotte Observer, October 16, 1971.
392.BG’s suit. Charlotte Observer, October 16, 1971. Descriptions of Billy Graham Day, Charlotte Observer, October 13, 14, and 16, 1971.
392.Nixon teaches BG how to wave. “Billy Graham: The Man at Home,” Saturday Evening Post, September 1972, p. 45.
392.Secret Service, police, “marshals”; crowd screened for troublemakers, marshals sued. Charlotte Observer, October 16, 1971; Richard Mashcal, Charlotte Observer, November 5, 1971.
393.White House involved with marshals. New York Post, Washington Post, August 6, 1973; AP, April 24, 1974; Charlotte Observer, June 8, 1974; the New York Times, April 22, 26, 29, 30, and May 6, 1975.
393.Charges dismissed. The New York Times, May 6, 1975; Charlotte Observer, July 12, 1975.
393.“Against the weight of evidence,” The New York Times, July 13, 1975.
393.“a religious ceremony.” Charlotte Observer, May 2, 1975.
393.Carolinians kill their own rats. “Nation’s Finest People Live Here, Billy Says,” Charlotte Observer, October 16, 1971.
393.BG commends RN’s morality. Ibid.
393.RN commends BG. Charlotte Observer and News, October 16, 1971; CN 74, VT 1-CBS, BGCA; David E. Kucharsky, “Billy Graham’s Day,” Christianity Today, November 5, 1971.
394.“murderer . . . platitudes.” Charlotte News, April 24, 1975. The young man, a student at Davidson College, had been ejected from the Coliseum after placing a black armband on his suit after finding a seat. He insisted he was conducting “a silent vigil” and had had no intention of disrupting the proceedings.
394.“cross-shaped sandwiches . . . biblicoform cake.” Charlotte Observer, October 16, 1971; “The Political Education of Billy Graham,” the Washington Post, April 14, 1986, p. 8.
394.“You can’t blame it on the President.” Charlotte Observer, November 5, 1971.
394.Kaplow: “if indeed . . . in American politics.” NBC News, October 15, 1971, CN 74, VT 4-NBC, BGCA.
394.“the President and the Chamber of Commerce draw honor.” Editorial, Charlotte Observer, October 15, 1971.
394.John C. Bennett’s criticisms, “Billy Graham in Oakland,” Christianity and Crisis, October 4, 1971, pp. 195–97.
395.Sawyer memo to Ziegler. Alpha names files, Box 155, WHSF, NPM.
395.Plagenz chastises Graham. UPI, December 31, 1971.
395.“It is interesting . . . entered the schools.” Charlotte Observer, November 5, 1971.
395.“We have all had our My Lais . . .” Quoted in letter to Charlotte Observer, October 18, 1971. Shortly after the My Lai incident, the White House had called BG to solicit his views on Calley. HRH note, February 14, 1971, Folder 4/1/71–5/19/71, Box 43, Haldeman Notes, WHSF, HRH Files, NPM (Apparently misfiled).
395.Presidential perks to BG. White House dinners, Folder EX FG 12 1/1/72–1/31/71, Box 2, FG 12, WHCF, NPM. 395. Sequoia dinner, Folder CF WH 11–3 “Yacht,” Box 70, WHCF, NPM.
395.Julie and Tricia pick film. Folder 5/20/71–6/30/71, Box 43, Haldeman notes, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
396.Haldeman embarrassed, HRH to Vern Coffey, August 11, 1971, Folder “HRH Chronological,” Box 197, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
396.White House valued BG’s diplomatic skills. H. R. Haldeman, interview, August 14, 1989.
396.Kissinger briefs BG’s conservative friends. HRH to BG, July 17, 1971, Folder “China 1/1/71,” Box 17, EX CO 34; Folder “HRH Chronological,” Box 197, HRH Files WHSF, NPM; HRH to Kissinger, August 3, 1971, Folder “HRH Chronological,” Box 197, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM. The briefing occurred on August 10, 1971.
396.Graham to visit Ch
iangs on Nixon’s behalf. HRH to HAK, November 11, 1971, Folder “Kissinger, November 1971,” Box 86 (Alpha names files, A-X Oct–Dec 1971, Kehrli 10/71–Klein 11/71), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM
396.Talking Points for BG’s conversation with Chiangs. HRH to BG, November 22, 1971, Folder “HRH Chronological Nov. 1971, A–L,” Box 197, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
397.BG barely remembers Chiang visit. Interview, March 5, 1989.
Chapter 24: “Billy, You Stay Out of Politics”
398.“On the political front . . . in ’72.” Memo, RN to HRH, November 30, 1970, Folder “Memos from the President typed by Haldeman’s office, 1970,” Box 164, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
398.“Graham wants to be helpful . . . can’t have leak.” HRH, handwritten notes, February 6 and 8, 1971, Folder 1/1/71–2/15/71, Box 43, Haldeman notes, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM. Haldeman notes, Part I, Jan–March ’71, White House logs indicate that BG had seen the President on February 1, the date of the annual National Prayer Breakfast. WH Master List, Contacts File by Name, Graham p. 1413, WHCF, NPM.
398.BG wants “line to the right.” Talking paper, February 8, 1971, Talking Papers, 1971–7/72, Box 153, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM; HRH note, May 10, 1971, Folder 4/1/71–5/ 19/71, Box 43, Haldeman notes, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
398.BG apparently dissuades Hatfield from seeking Republican nomination. Harry Dent gave BG authorization to tell Hatfield he would have full White House backing in Senate race if he did not seek the presidency. HRH note re call from Dent, HRH Notes, Box 179. Dent later noted that BG was “checking this out.” Dent to Charles Colson, April 8, 1971, Colson Files Folder “Political Misc.,” Box 99, WHSF, NPM. When I asked Graham about this, he insisted he had no memory of such an episode but, in a remarkable show of candor, said that his secretary had found correspondence confirming that he had indeed talked to both Nixon and Hatfield about this matter on several occasions. BG, interview, March 6, 1989.
398.BG a frontline heavyweight. Action Paper, August 2, 1971, Folder “HRH Chronological,” Box 197, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
399.BG attends Tolbert inauguration. Talking Paper, Secretary Rogers, Folder “HRH Chronological,” Box 197, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM; Kissinger to RN, September 11, 1971, Folder “EX CO 84, Liberia 1/1/71,” WHSF, NPM; Haig to Higby, Folder “General Haig, November 1971,” Box 86 (Alpha names files A–X Oct–Dec 1971, Kehrli 10/71–Klein 11/71), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
399.BG’s February 1972 meetings with WH staff and RN. HRH note, January 31, 1972, “Haldeman notes, Folder 1/1/72–2/18/72,” Box 45, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM; HRH meeting summary, March 9, 1972, Folder “HRH Subject,” Box 163, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM; David E. Kucharsky, “Billy Graham’s Day,” Christianity Today, November 5, 1971; memo, Ziegler to HRH and DC, March 29, 1972, Folder “R. Ziegler,” Box 94 (Alpha names files, Feb–April 1972), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM. 392 Second China Briefing. HRH to Colson, March 17, 1972, Folder “March 1972” Box 199 (HRH Chronological), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM; Higby to HRH, March 17, 1972, and HRH to Higby, March 29, 1972, Folder “Higby,” Box 93 (Alpha names files, Feb–April 1972), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
399.Postal rates. HRH to John D. Ehrlichman, February 1, 1972, Folder “February 1972,” Box 199 (HRH Chronological), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
399.Nixon wants HRH to keep “continuing contact” with BG. Memo, RN to HRH, March 14, 1972, Folder “HRH 1972, Memos from the President,” Box 162, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
400.Higby memo to Strachan and Kehrli. Memo, February 1, 1972, Box 125 (Graham, marked “Administratively Confidential”), NPM, HRH Files, WHSF, Haldeman also told aides that he wanted to be kept informed of all calls between BG and the President. Memo, Butterfield to Higby, August 7, 1972, Folder “Butterfield, August 1972,” Box 101 (HRH Alpha names files, July–August 1972) HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
400.Talking paper topics, insider information. Talking papers, February 10, March 22, April 3, 11, and 26, May 8 and 16, 1972, HRH Box 125 (Graham), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
400.Talking papers and telephone calls. Most, but not all, telephone calls between BG and RN (or a specifically designated aide) are logged on a master list that begins with December 1971 and continues through June 1974. Some additional calls are mentioned in White House memos. Haldeman’s calls are not logged in a systematic fashion; rather, various archival folders contain, often without an obvious rationale, little collections of telephone log slips. Haldeman’s records alone log or mention at least seventeen different calls between February 1, 1972, the date of the National Prayer Breakfast, and November 9, the day following the election. It seems a safe assumption that points on the talking papers were discussed during a number of these calls.
400.Haldeman confirms calls. H. R. Haldeman, interview, August 14, 1989. John Connally also confirmed that Haldeman called him and that he was aware that Haldeman was making regular calls to BG. John B. Connally, interview, January 30, 1991.
400.Colson on RN conversations with BG. Charles Colson, interview, April 18, 1989.
400.“Billy was definitely in [Nixon’s] inner circle . . . see the bad.” H. R. Haldeman, interview, August 14, 1989.
401.Ehrlichman comments. Interview, August 15, 1989. John Connally made a similar observation: “[Presidents who sought Graham’s counsel] felt he was in contact with more individuals than any other person in the United States and that he had a sense of America’s feelings unlike anything they could otherwise obtain. None of them were in a position to probe the feelings and the reactions of the people that Billy Graham touched. He gave them a completely different perspective of what people saw, what they thought, how they felt, what moved them. That’s why he was important to them. That’s why they liked to have him around. He provided access to the minds of people that they otherwise had no entry into. They had no way of determining the feelings and the depths of emotions of the people that Billy Graham touched.” Connally, interview, January 30, 1991.
401.“Mr. Nixon . . . a e Gaulle type.” “Billy Graham: The Man at Home,” Saturday Evening Post, September 1972, p. 105
401.Suggestions to Nixon on public speaking. February 8, 1971, Folder “Jan 1–Feb 15, 1971,” Box 45, Haldeman Notes, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
401.BG wants WH to cultivate Bill Bright. Dave Parker to Colson, July 29, 1971, Folder RM 2-1 “Religious Services in White House 9/1/71–9/30/71,” SF RM Box 15, WHCF, NPM. Explo ’72. HRH to Parker, February 1, 1972, Folder “HRH Chronological,” Box 199, 700 HRH Files, WHSF, NPM; HRH note, February 2, 1971, Folder “HRH Notes,” Box 45, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
401.Explo ’72. HRH to Parker, February 1, 1972, Folder “HRH Chronoligcal,” Box 199, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM; HRH note, February 2, 1971, Folder “HRH Notes,” Box 45, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
402.BG asks RN to send telegram to Explo ’72. L. Higby to HRH, June 14, 1972, Folder “Higby, June 1972” Box 98 Alpha names files, June–July 1972, HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
402.“religious Woodstock.” in AP, Charlotte Observer, June 11, 1972.
402.Colson’s notes: “Use Graham’s organization.” Colson’s notes, made on June 27, 1972, do not mention Nixon specifically, but bear the letters EOB, a designation staff members used for a hideaway office Nixon maintained in the Executive Office Building, and are filed in a folder titled “Presidential Meeting Notes.” Folder “Presidential Meeting Notes [1972–1973],” Box 16 (Meeting Files), Staff Member and Office Files—Charles W. Colson, WHSF, NMPS.
402.WH fears McGovern will win religious vote, mobilizes BG. Memo, Higby to HRH, June 14, 1972, Folder “Higby, June 1972,” Box 98 (Alpha names files, June–July 1972); HRH note, Box 45 (Haldeman notes, May 9–June 30, 1972, Part II), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM. Harry Williams, a BGEA man whom Graham described as one of the best he had for organizing residential for crusades, apparently took such a leave of absence to organize precincts for Nixon. HRH to Ken Rietz, July 26, 1972, Box 200 (HRH Chronological, July, 1972), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
402.“What is our best approach . . . Campus Crusade?” Talking Paper, June 27, 1972, HRH Box 125 (Gra
ham), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
402.BG asks RN to send telegram to LNB. Higby to HRH, June 14, 1972, Folder “Higby June 1972, Box 98 (HRH Alpha names files, June–July 1972), HRH files, WHSF, NPM.
402.BG urges RN tie with OR. Dent to Parker, June 20, 1972, and Dent to RN, August 11, Folder “RM 1/1/71–12/72, Religious Services,” SF RM Box 2, WHCF, NPM.
403.Haldeman dislikes the idea. HRH to DC, August 17, 1972, Box 200 (HRH Chronological, August 1972), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
403.BG declines invitations to conventions. David E. Kucharsky, “Graham on Demons,” Christianity Today, June 7, 1974, pp. 49–50.
403.BG’s advice to RN re acceptance speech, reported in memo, HRH to RN, August 19, 1972, Folder “August 1972,” Box 200 (HRH Chronological), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM. The White House staff had arranged for Graham to be able to play at the San Clemente golf course as the President’s guest. Folder “July 1972,” Box 200 (HRH Chronological), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
403.Talking papers re McGovern. HRH talking papers, September 20, and October 25, 1972, Box 125 (Graham), HRH Files, WHSF NPM.
403.BG concerned about Religious Leaders group. LH to HRH, September 21, 1972, regarding BG call, September 20, Talking Papers 7/72–9/72, Box 153 (HRH Subject Files) WHSF, NPM.
404.McLaughlin recommends against organizing clergy. McLaughlin to Dave Parker, October 5, 1972, Folder RM 1/1/72–12/72, SF RM Box 2, WHCF, NPM.
404.BG reckons RN will carry all states but South Dakota. AP, in Charlotte Observer, August 13, 1972.
404.Nixon to “go down in history.” Charlotte Observer, September 21, 1972.
404.RN “just born to be President.” AP, November 3, 1972.
404.BG is called on election night. HRH Action Paper, October 30,1972, Box 125 (Graham), HRH Files, WHSF, NPM.
405.“We tried to get his mailing list.” Colson, interview.
405.“Billy, . . . you stay out of politics” . . . “never try to use me.” BG, quoted in David Frost, Billy Graham Talks with David Frost (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1972), p. 66.