Ad implies Rev. Billy Graham backs Romney

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Evangelist Billy Graham made his own decision to make what amounts to an endorsement of Mitt Romney in the U.S. presidential race, Graham's son says.

Graham, who turns 94 Nov. 7, the day after the election, has generally avoided endorsing political candidates and full-page ads in a number of newspapers do not mention Romney by name, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer reported. The ads, which show photographs of Graham some years ago, say voters should select candidates with "Biblical values."

"I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage," the text says.

Franklin Graham, who says he voted for Romney and wrote a column saying Christians could support a Mormon candidate, told The Observer he does not know who his father voted for. He said running the ads was his father's decision.

"Nobody kidnaps my Daddy. He may not see or hear as well, but his mind remains sharp as a razor," Franklin Graham said. "He's been active in politics since the 1940s. People need to remember that."

Billy Graham, a widower, lives in Montreat, N.C. Since his 2006 retirement, he has made few public appearances.

During his career, he was a spiritual adviser to many presidents, and Obama visited him in 2010. Romney met with him this month.

In 1960, the elder Graham worked against John F. Kennedy's nomination because Kennedy was a Catholic. White House audio tapes released in 2002 showed him making what appeared to be anti-Semitic remarks in conversations with President Richard Nixon.

The Graham ads have appeared in The Observer, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today.