The Political Power in Billy Graham's Blessing

Rob Christensen of the Raleigh News & Observer, argues that Sarah Palin's recent dinner with the Rev. Billy Graham -- whom the writer says is like the Southern equivalent of the "Protestant pope" -- was a more significant event, at least in North Carolina, than her book signing at Fort Bragg:

For decades, presidents and presidential wannabes have sought the blessing of the nation's best-known preacher.

The evangelist, 91, doesn't endorse any more, having been burned by his close relationship with President Richard Nixon, who was Graham's idea of a Christian statesman until Graham listened to the Watergate tapes.

Graham, a registered Democrat, has befriended presidents of both parties. In many ways, his role in American life has transcended politics.

Religion, says Christensen, remains a powerful force in American politics:

Sometimes people ask me to explain Palin's political appeal - she is among the leading candidates for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012. It is not so much about issues and ideology. She was a fairly pragmatic governor of Alaska.

It is about going rogue, as her book title suggests, about class politics, and about the power of religion.

Which is why approving comments from Billy Graham are far more important to her supporters than questions pundits raise about her presidential credentials.

What Christensen and his McClatchy Newspaper colleagues fail to understand is that Sarah Palin's supporters are quite familiar with the former governor's presidential credentials. We compared them with those of Barack Obama over a year ago, noted his lack of executive experience and found hers to be the more impressive resume.

The full op-ed is here.