Franklin Graham: 'Insults, Back-Stabbing, Dirty Tricks' Among Republican Candidates Hitting 'New Low'
Evangelical preacher the Rev. Franklin Graham is sharing his reflections on Super Tuesday, warning that America is "ultimately the loser" as the "insults, back-stabbing, dirty tricks" among presidential candidates have hit a new low.
"I'm calling for a truce! A time out. A halt to the insults, the back-stabbing, the dirty tricks, and the name-calling that has been spewing from most of the presidential candidates. #SuperTuesday is now over, but the campaign for the highest office in our land has stooped to a new low — and it's not something to be proud of," Graham wrote on Facebook Wednesday morning.
"I call on the candidates to drop the childish bickering and get back to the issues that can change America for the good, for the sake of our children and grandchildren. Otherwise America is ultimately the loser. It's obvious that this country is in trouble — spiritually, morally, and politically," he added.
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While Graham did not name names, the Republican field especially has been characterized by numerous personal attacks and strong accusations among the candidates.
Donald Trump has for instance alleged that Texas Sen. Ted Cruz committed "fraud" in the Iowa caucuses, because the Cruz campaign spread misleading information that retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson was planning to drop out of the race, and did not provide an update stating that Carson denied the rumors.
"He insulted Ben Carson by doing what he did to Ben Carson. That was a disgrace. ... He's a man of insult," Trump said of Cruz.
Cruz, on the other hand, has called Trump a "rich New York Liberal," comparing the billionaire businessman to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in an interview with Fox's Sean Hannity Monday.
The attacks between Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Trump have reached a new level, however, with Trump calling Rubio a "choker," "lightweight," "clown" who sweats a lot; while Rubio has in turn suggested that Trump wets his pants and has "meltdowns" backstage after debate performances.
Both Cruz and Rubio have said that making sure Trump doesn't win the Republican nomination is a priority objective, but so far neither have indicated that they are willing to suspend their campaign in order to unify the party.
Graham, who is the president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has refused to back a presidential candidate, but on a number of occasions has suggested that the 2016 elections are going to be the "most important in U.S. history."
"I'm not endorsing any specific candidates in next year's election, but I am strongly endorsing prayer — and I'm strongly urging Christians to get out and vote. We need to elect candidates at all levels that most closely support biblical values and principles," Graham has said in the past.
"This may be the most important election in our nation's history. America is headed in the wrong direction and only God can turn it around. That's why I'm going to all 50 states in 2016, from capital to capital, to hold prayer rallies for our country," he added of his Decision America Tour.
The evangelical has said that he does not have faith in either the Republican or Democratic party, and instead wants to "lift up the name of Jesus Christ."
