Billy Graham Says President Wrong

by   Tom Strode                                                                                                                                         Vol. IX, No. 6, June/July 1996

Evangelist Billy Graham has joined the list of religious leaders declaring opposition to President Clinton's veto of the Partial-birth Abortion Ban Act. Graham, a Southern Baptist, told Cal Thomas on the syndicated columnist's, weekly television show for CNBC of his disagreement with Clinton, also a Southern Baptist. According to the May 2 issue of The Washington Times, Thomas asked the evangelist what he thought of the legislation, which Clinton vetoed April 10.

"I think the president was wrong in vetoing it," Graham said, according to The Times. "I had the opportunity of telling him that in person."

"How slid he respond?" Thomas asked.

"I can't tell you that yet," Graham said.

Graham did not say when he voiced his disapproval to the president. A White House spokesman said the Grahams were honored with a tea May 1 at the White House but did not reveal if the veto was discussed at that time, The Times reported. The article revealing his comments appeared on the same day the evangelist and his wife, Ruth, were to receive the Congressional Gold Medal in the capitol rotunda. [BP]