Politics 2008:The Caucuses and The Dem/Rep Conventions

[deepimpact2]

I was kind of disapointed with the New York Times newspaper that came out after he was elected. It was kind of underwhelming.


By the way, did anyone watch Obama's news conference? I was shocked by the Nancy Reagan remark. I don't think that's going to go over well at all.

[Ten/Four]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

By the way, did anyone watch Obama's news conference? I was shocked by the Nancy Reagan remark. I don't think that's going to go over well at all.

Yeah the conservatives are going to rip him for that one. I think he'll have to find a balance of when to let his playfulness show, which played well during the campaign, and just to be all about business. Overall, I felt my confident about trying to move the country forward in his 30 minute press conference than I did in Bush's 8 years in office.

[deepimpact2]

Now Bily Graham has come out and stated that he will no longer mentor presidents. How convenient that this occurs when the first Black president is elected. I know that Billy Graham is old, but in the article it clearly stated that he would continue working with his ministry and that he is writing a book. Not only that, but Graham met with McCain, but when Obama wanted to meet with him he was "too ill." At any rate, Obama is probably better off without Billy Graham as his mentor.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Now Bily Graham has come out and stated that he will no longer mentor presidents. How convenient that this occurs when the first Black president is elected. I know that Billy Graham is old, but in the article it clearly stated that he would continue working with his ministry and that he is writing a book. Not only that, but Graham met with McCain, but when Obama wanted to meet with him he was "too ill." At any rate, Obama is probably better off without Billy Graham as his mentor.

Are you talking about this article? I tend to give him a bit of a pass given his age and health.

He was hospitalized last year for nearly two weeks after experiencing intestinal bleeding, and he has also had prostate cancer. Earlier this year, he had elective surgery to update a shunt that controls excess fluid on his brain. The shunt was first installed in 2000 and drains fluid from through a small tube, relieving excess pressure that can cause symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease.

"He could catch a cold and his life could come to an end," Franklin Graham said. "At his age, any little thing could be a serious event. We realize that."

However, he

would like to meet the president-elect and pray with him.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Now Bily Graham has come out and stated that he will no longer mentor presidents. How convenient that this occurs when the first Black president is elected. I know that Billy Graham is old, but in the article it clearly stated that he would continue working with his ministry and that he is writing a book. Not only that, but Graham met with McCain, but when Obama wanted to meet with him he was "too ill." At any rate, Obama is probably better off without Billy Graham as his mentor.

I don't think its a snub - Billy Graham is 90 afterall (and needs a walker) so I would think its moreso due to health. Although this is hardly publicized, Billy Graham believed in a message of Christ for all people and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and others in the civil rights movement in softening the hearts of those that felt otherwise.

[deepimpact2]

Billy Graham was also known for anti-Semitic remarks, as well as remarks against Black people. Not to mention the fact that he was a member of a country club that had a clear policy against allowing Blacks to join.

Sorry, but I don't give him any license. It's not paranoia or suspicion that fosters my thinking on this point. If you are in such failing health, how do you still have time to run a ministry and write a book? Besides, according to his family Billy Graham has been in failing health for YEARS, sometimes giving the impression that he was on the brink of death. Yet he still had enough strength to mentor Bush.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

The Ronald Reagan seance comment was stupid. I cringed. Obama called Nancy Reagan to apologize. I think the conservatives have had enough of nitpicking so aside from some remarks about it they will let it slide.

Well, maybe all except my father -- he shot out an email about this to the family last night. I figured as a life-long conservative and straight Republican voter no matter the candidate or the issues over the years, he'd be disappointed in the election result. Turns out the man is flat-out PISSED. Woops.

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Now Bily Graham has come out and stated that he will no longer mentor presidents. How convenient that this occurs when the first Black president is elected. I know that Billy Graham is old, but in the article it clearly stated that he would continue working with his ministry and that he is writing a book. Not only that, but Graham met with McCain, but when Obama wanted to meet with him he was "too ill." At any rate, Obama is probably better off without Billy Graham as his mentor.

Interestingly enough, I just heard Graham's 2 grandsons on NPR this morning, they've just released a book about Graham's ministry. You can listen to the interview here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=96778336

During the interview, his grandsons describe him as a "50-year-old in a 90-year-old's body". He's apparently sharp as a tack, but his body is failing. This article gives insight into just how unwell he's been/is (and that he does very much want to meet and pray with Obama): http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h...RFsIAD94ALAGO0

Graham is known for breaking down racial barriers and refusing to preach to segregated crowds in the south starting back in the 50s: http://www.vop.com/previous_broadcas...jan/99034.html

He's also a registered Democrat, though he's ministered Republican Presidents as well as Democrats. I have no doubt that Billy Graham is celebrating the election of the nation's first African American President with most of the rest of the country and would have been on a plane to see him if it were physically possible for him.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Well, maybe all except my father -- he shot out an email about this to the family last night. I figured as a life-long conservative and straight Republican voter no matter the candidate or the issues over the years, he'd be disappointed in the election result. Turns out the man is flat-out PISSED. Woops.

I'm sure Obama will be as imperfect as every other president and will give your father plenty of material over the years. You may want to consider a "block sender" to spare yourself.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Interestingly enough, I just heard Graham's 2 grandsons on NPR this morning, they've just released a book about Graham's ministry. You can listen to the interview here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=96778336

During the interview, his grandsons describe him as a "50-year-old in a 90-year-old's body". He's apparently sharp as a tack, but his body is failing. This article gives insight into just how unwell he's been/is (and that he does very much want to meet and pray with Obama): http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h...RFsIAD94ALAGO0

Graham is known for breaking down racial barriers and refusing to preach to segregated crowds in the south starting back in the 50s: http://www.vop.com/previous_broadcas...jan/99034.html

He's also a registered Democrat, though he's ministered Republican Presidents as well as Democrats. I have no doubt that Billy Graham is celebrating the election of the nation's first African American President with most of the rest of the country and would have been on a plane to see him if it were physically possible for him.

I won't be surprised if Grahams' sons assume the role of spiritual mentor to the presidents, including Obama.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Interestingly enough, I just heard Graham's 2 grandsons on NPR this morning, they've just released a book about Graham's ministry. You can listen to the interview here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=96778336

During the interview, his grandsons describe him as a "50-year-old in a 90-year-old's body". He's apparently sharp as a tack, but his body is failing. This article gives insight into just how unwell he's been/is (and that he does very much want to meet and pray with Obama): http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h...RFsIAD94ALAGO0

Graham is known for breaking down racial barriers and refusing to preach to segregated crowds in the south starting back in the 50s: http://www.vop.com/previous_broadcas...jan/99034.html

He's also a registered Democrat, though he's ministered Republican Presidents as well as Democrats. I have no doubt that Billy Graham is celebrating the election of the nation's first African American President with most of the rest of the country and would have been on a plane to see him if it were physically possible for him.

I tire rather quickly of people spouting off info about Graham's history concerning civil rights. All of that is pretty much negated by the fact that, as I mentioned previously, he was willing to maintain membership in a country club that prided itself on segregation. Rather hypocritical of someone to refuse to preach to a segregated crowd, but go play tennis on a segregated court.

I just can't muster up the same warm, fuzzy feelings that so many others seem to have for him. I don't think people really see him for who he is. Just because he's a minister means nothing. There are many ministers that preach fiery sermons, leave the pulpit, and go put on a hood and a robe. And there were many ministers who were active in civil rights issues, but still didn't believe that we were equal to them...let alone that one of us should be president.


And I'm well aware that he's a Democrat. That really has nothing to do with anything.

As for him wanting to pray with Obama...he had his chance. He chose not to when Obama asked to meet with him. Obama shouldn't even bother with it at this point. I think it may be a blessing in disguise that this is happening, but I just don't like the reasoning behind it.