Billy Graham Done Advising Presidents: Son

But influential pastor supports and would like to pray with Obama
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 7, 2008 2:30 PM CST
Billy Graham Done Advising Presidents: Son
Billy Graham, right, arrives with his son, Franklin Graham, left, for a memorial service for Ruth Graham in Montreat, N.C., Saturday, June 16, 2007.   (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Billy Graham, the pastor who has advised every president since Eisenhower, won’t be counseling Barack Obama, the AP reports. Graham, who turns 90 today and is in failing health, “feels like his time and day for that is over," said Graham’s son Franklin. "He would certainly like to meet Obama and pray with him."

Family and friends celebrated Graham’s birthday at his home in North Carolina. Though his father’s mind remains sharp, his health is fragile, Franklin said. The elder Graham was hospitalized after a fall last month and had elective brain surgery earlier this year. He has been working on a book about aging, hoping to help others cope. "He's ready to die," Franklin said. "But nobody's prepared him for getting old."
(More Barack Obama stories.)

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