When Ronald Reagan ran for office, he had not been particularly religious, but he was savvy enough to endorse Evangelicals and gain their support. This era really gave birth to the Religious Right. Falwell and other on the religious right, tried to argue that the U.S. was founded as a nation under the "Judeo-Christian ethic." He argued that the country needed to be run by God's principles. They called America to be governed by God's law.
Billy Graham
Billy Graham preached at a public revival service in Los Angeles in 1949. They gathered in a "Canvas Cathedral" - a tent constructed for the event. Thousands in attendance. This event cemented his reputation as a national religious leader. Graham also built a friendship with President Eisenhower. Graham preached in front of the Capitol building in 1952 for a large rally. Through this event, the White House recognized a national day of prayer, which is still recognized today. In his speeches, he described many social problems as a symptom of a larger disease - an internal spiritual disease that could only be overcome by individual conversion to Jesus Christ.