Mike Huckabee’s new TV ad shows him in front of a Christmas tree and what the Drudge Report calls a “floating cross”–the clear wooden crosspiece of a window that God-o-Meter has a hard time believing got in there by accident. After complaining about all the annoying political ads clogging the airwaves, Huckabee, looking more like a friendly neighbor than a presidential candidate by dint of a soft red sweater, reminds viewers in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina about the true meaning of Christmas:
What really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ and being with our family and our friends. I hope that you and your family have a magnificent Christmas season. And on behalf of all of us, God bless and Merry Christmas.
A top Huckabee aide tells God-o-Meter that “the ad really is about wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.” That’s very thoughtful of Huck, but GOM is still startled by the ordained minister’s sharpening of his religious appeal even after his earlier Christian Leader ad. But it is also taken with the spot’s simple brilliance. How better to answer Mitt Romney’s attack ads then by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas–and reminding them once more that you’re a traditional Christian’s Christian? God-o-Meter promises to look into the possibility of an “11″ rating tomorrow.10
posted December 18, 2007 at 9:13 am
The ad is effective in that it changes the subject. The point is now clear, Huckabee is a Christian. But what is not clear is how that “defines” him. He doesn’t answer how his faith shapes his worldview. Does it mean that convicted rapists who repent, go free? Does it mean that the children of illegals get free college (Gov. Huckabee) or are deported (Candidate Huckabee). Does it mean that you don’t attack other candidates (Reagan’s 11th commandment) but are allowed to call the sitting Republican President “arrogant” (Huckabee’s foreign policy paper.) Faith defines Huckabee’s campaign, but for some reason he refuses to let us know how it defines the man. But perhaps I’m in the minority of Christians who have learned from the Ted Haggards of the world, that what a man says can be very different from what he does.
The ad is not “brilliant” in actually plays to the very things that have plagued politics since Bill Clinton, “symbolism over substance.” The symbolism of Huckabee is clear, it’s the substance that I’m worried about.
posted December 18, 2007 at 9:37 am
With the campaign Huckabee is running, you might want to look into the possibility of going to 20
posted December 18, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Wow, thanks for picking out the subliminal cross there. It’s very obvious once you notice it.
posted December 18, 2007 at 6:58 pm
I liked the Christmas wish and found it refreshing. Christmas day is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus and no one can take that away from those who believe. He is not my choice for candidate though at this point. I don’t like how he bashed the current president and the administration in the time of war and conflict. He had my interest but he lost it with those comments along with some of the actions he has taken in the past. Everything that is going on is biblical and we have to believe Jesus and God will see us through.
posted December 19, 2007 at 1:09 pm
KATHLEEN–Interesting comment. Who are you supporting in the presidential race and why?
posted December 20, 2007 at 8:06 am
I am doing my homework on all candidates at this time. I am a registered independent and can not vote in the primaries. I know for a fact that I will not vote for Hillary for she is a vile person in my opinion. She is using religion for political reasons only and I have followed all politics for a long time. She is now using her husband to get her into the White House and we don’t need him there LOL. It is sad when you have to use the media to tell the people you are a nice person. In all my 52yrs I am afraid for our safety and I have to believe God will put in the White House who he wants to continue on the biblical journey. This is the first election I can truly say I am having a hard time putting my support behind a candidate.
posted December 30, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Surely the subliminal cross seemingly doesn’t matter since he mentions says the birth of Christ. But no director on earth wouldn’t have noticed that anyway because it was practically glowing.
Images are powerful, and of course the firm he hired to design the set of that ad meant for a cross to show up. Just like his staff put a gun in his hand to go hunting.
I support your God-o-Meter rating of “11″, they may as well have had a Jesus impersonator sit next to him with an arm casually tossed over Mike’s shoulder.
~Kim Mance
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My blog: http://www.religiarchy.com