Huckabee “unites” everyone under Jesus

By Contributor Archive

Filed Under Race for White House 2008 on Dec 18 

It’s a great plan if you enjoyed the Crusades. Or if you support terrorism committed by friendly folks just trying to convince you that Islam is the only true religion. Mike Huckabee’s latest ad shows him in front of a Christmas tree, reminding everyone to take time to step away from politics because “what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ…” Actually, Mike, that’s what matters to you, but not necessarily to everyone else, and certainly is no cause of glory for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, etc.

Huck defended the ad with an even worse position, claiming that despite excluding other religions, it was harmless. Harmless to whom? If you are the segregator, you are rarely aiming to harm yourself, just someone else. Exclusion is forced segregation, and the entire concept is outdated and definitively harmful.

That most people will not care about the ad is just as well, and superficially it does seem innocuous, but considered along with Huckabee’s brand of “Jesus juice“, his idea to quarantine AIDS patients, and his agreement that women should “submit graciously“, a Huckabee pattern of exclusion, segregation, and inequality becomes dangerously evident.

Comments

14 Comments

  1. Toby on 18.12.2007 at 20:01 (Reply)

    Huck’s clearly got issues on the religious front, but this still seems like a smart move here… he comes out with a soft ad in a largely Christian state that dislikes negative campaiging. This is going to contrast with Romney’s ads against him very well, and is something that he could run far closer to the holidays themselves without appearing to be cutting into holiday time. I think the cross over his shoulder is immensely creepy, but I don’t see this hurting Huck. The people he’s talking to are exactly the type NOT to be offended by this

  2. RobA on 18.12.2007 at 20:39 (Reply)

    Huck has had 2 of the smartest political commercials so far. The Chuck Norris/border one and the Christmas one. Would you necessarily run this nationwide during a general election? Probably not. But under the circumstances, it’s ingenious. He’s appealing to Christian conservatives in Iowa to win a close race with Romney. Paints him as an average, non-threatening, church-going guy. A very stark contrast from the negative ads that Romney and others are running on the same stations.

    I also don’t buy that the cross thing is intentional.

    In any case, I’ve seen this ad several times on the cable news channels. Lots of free publicity. How can you really argue with a guy saying ‘Merry Christmas’?? I think the talking heads who are upset about this look ridiculous. Kudos to Team Huck on this one!

  3. Troy La Mana on 18.12.2007 at 20:53 (Reply)

    One could arguee when they celebrate Yule, Kwanzaa or Hannukah. This is the reason why relgion should be excluded from politics.

  4. Thomas Cicconetti on 18.12.2007 at 21:08 (Reply)

    Spot On Toby!
    Are we the only ones that get it?
    Consider the myriad of melt downs in this greed driven secular, (and not so secular) society:
    * Wall Street
    *Municiple, State, & Federal Government Politicans and Employees
    *Illegial Emigrants
    * The Legal Profession
    *Welfare and Entitlement Recipients
    * Add Noisome
    Is it any wonder,that someone, who figures out that if he/she takes an opposing stand that plays to the core beliefs of the electorate in the heartlands , he would best his competition and emerge victorious?
    As my Uncle Tony always said;
    What Goes Around,Comes Around.
    And, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if all these Ultra Liberal and Suedo Conservatives, who shot out from the starting gate wind up last in the field behind those who expouse the beliefs of our Forefathers upon whom this country was founded.

  5. Toby on 18.12.2007 at 21:37 (Reply)

    uhhh, this was founded as a liberal secular country. It’s gotten more liberal, but less secular, since then

  6. NewYorkStateConservative on 18.12.2007 at 23:19 (Reply)

    Ethan, I can understand your criticism of Huckabee because A- We already know he’s a Christian, and B- The only reason to run this add would be to gain support of Iowa conservatives through religion.

    That being said, I do think you go overboard in your criticism. Yes, not everyone in America is a Christian, but neither is everyone in America in favor of cutting taxes. If a candidate said, “what is really important is that we cut taxes,” he is saying that it matters to him and is therefore excluding those who disagree, and according to your logic, is guilty of segregation.

  7. AndDru1 on 19.12.2007 at 01:19 (Reply)

    You people are so out of the mainstream, most of America celebrates Christmas.

  8. george schumer on 19.12.2007 at 10:15 (Reply)

    This ad diminishes Huckabee significantly. By dissing Jews, he shows a lack of understanding of where one can cross the secular/religious border, and now has lost every Jewish Republican vote – not good once the big states come. Sure, maybe he hardens up the Christian base in Iowa, but at what price?

    Had he skipped the “Christ” talk, and simply said “our religious heritages,” he woulda looked great. He could even have claimed the floating cross was an unintended optical illusion. Not a wise commercial.

  9. Bruce, Political Columnist on 19.12.2007 at 12:20 (Reply)

    Ethan? It is a point of view such as yours I will defend your right to express, but will never support.

    True Buddhists for one group simply don’t really care about the Christian versus non-Christain debate over Christmas – to do so would violate their own beliefs as Buddhists.

    True Muslims believe in the great Prophet Jesus so Christmas isn’t a real problem for them either.

    As for the Jewish folks? They’ve be going round and round with the Christians since the first Jews left Judaism and started Christanity. Facts are, many Jewish folks enjoy the Christmas season along with their Christian cousins.

    Ethan? Don’t you just hate democracy in which the rules are made by the majority of folks? Key word in democracy is *majority* with respect to the minority opinions… Its not the minority who dictate how the majority live in a democracy.

    As for Huckabee? He’s being what he is and demonstrating something rare to the voters; his core beliefs. Wish more politicans would be as honest.

  10. Bruce, Political Columnist on 19.12.2007 at 12:23 (Reply)

    When a minority becomes too demanding one of two things happen; they become the ruling party (as we saw in Iraq)… or, the majority grows tired of them and reacts (unfortunately often in a negative way).

    Negative behavior begets negative attention; positive behaviour begets positive attention.

  11. Gary Russell on 19.12.2007 at 12:34 (Reply)

    Toby,

    Did you really say “…this was founded as a liberal secular country.”

    HUH????

    If George Washington were alive today, do you really think that he would endorse the policies of Hilary, Edwards, or any of the other liberals?

    I know…it depends on what “liberal” means – but, using it in today’s context, it is laughable to say that the policies of our Founding Fathers were “liberal”.

    Secular?
    Have you read the constitution? Seen any of the buildings in Washington? Looked at our money? Read the writings of our Founding Fathers? Need I go on?
    You confuse “freedom OF religion” with “freedom FROM religion”.

  12. RedstateEddio on 19.12.2007 at 16:15 (Reply)

    Ethan – Wow, I’m still wiping the steam off my PC monitor stemming from the vitriol coming off your post. Really bad move? I think Huck made a right step at the right time, the first it seems in a few weeks. He’s appealing to religious and/or social conservatives at a time when the simple phrase “Merry Christmas” is under major scrutiny (and attack, interpreted by many in that category).

    Major corporations are spinning holiday ad campaigns in both directions to appeal to those who want “Happy Holidays”, and those who feel like the removal of “Merry Christmas” is the final slide to Sodom and Gomorrah. Groups like the AFA calls for Christians to avoid stores who “opt out” of the Christmas tag.

    To simply emphasize those 2 words, with his background of being in ministry says to that crowd,”I want you to know I get it. I won’t avoid those 2 words. Hear it loud and clear: Merry Christmas.” It’s like a secret handshake shared out in the open. It’s clear about his convictions without having to elaborate.

    I put it in the very smart move camp.

  13. Rusty Shackelford on 19.12.2007 at 21:59 (Reply)

    I work in a large company that prides itself on diversity and inclusion. They posted a poll on our site that asked if in the age of diversity and inclusion if it was “ok” to say Merry Christmas. In this global company the vote was 90% to the yes.

    I miss seeing Merry Christmas and Happy New Year on; bill boards, “Holiday Cards”, and on retailers store fronts. I don’t think it too Norman Rockwell or “A Christmas Story” or even “Funny Farm” for others to have the mental capacity that this is an important time for Jews and Christians alike.

    As far as Huckabee goes, I am glad he wished me/us a Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you too Mr. Huckabee I hope Santa brings you what you want. All I am looking for is a Christian (you qualify) Conservative (you do not qualify) to be my candidate in 2008.

    Merry Christmas and GOD bless us…..Everyone

  14. Thomas Cicconetti on 20.12.2007 at 18:07 (Reply)

    Did you really say “…this was founded as a liberal secular country.”

    Gary,
    Would that I had not been out of town, I too would have debated, (albeit not as eloquently), Toby’s perception of religion as a foundation rather than a mandate.
    Perhaps he would be comfortable having our currency engraved, “In Hillary We Trust’

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