HOUSTON, Dec. 18, 2007
Huckabee Defends Christmas Ad
GOP Presidential Hopeful Jokingly Dismisses Concerns About Cross-Like Image In Background
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Play CBS Video Video Huckabee's Christmas Ad Mike Huckabee hits the airwaves in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina with "What Really Matters," a Christmas message for early primary state voters.
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Video Temper: Huckabee In a CBS Evening News special series, "Primary Questions," Katie Couric asks Mike Huckabee about the last time he lost his temper and how he reacted to the situation.
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Video Huckabee Ad: 'A Better America' In this ad, which features a 1962 image of his family in Hope, Ark., Mike Huckabee says we should commit to giving our children and grandchildren a better America than the one our parents gave us.
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Republican presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, joined by Chuck Norris, right, speaks Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, at the New Hampshire Community Technical College in Berlin, N.H. (AP)
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Photo Essay Mike Huckabee A look at the life and times of Mike Huckabee.
The ad, which is airing in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, shows Huckabee in front of a Christmas tree as he says, "Are you about worn out by all the television commercials you've been seeing, mostly about politics? Well, I don't blame you. At this time of year sometimes it's nice to pull aside from all of that and just remember that what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ and being with our family and friends."
Huckabee is courting evangelical voters and other religious conservatives in his bid to win the Iowa caucuses Jan. 3. In Texas for a fundraiser, he said the ad was a harmless holiday greeting even though it excludes other religions.
"If we are so politically correct in this country that a person can't say enough of the nonsense with the political attack ads could we pause for a few days and say Merry Christmas to each other then we're really, really in trouble as a country," Huckabee said.
Catholic League president Bill Donahue said Huckabee went beyond wishing people a joyous holiday. Donahue said he was especially disturbed by the cross-like image created by a white bookcase in the background of the ad, saying he believed it was a subliminal message.
"What he's trying to say to the evangelicals in western Iowa (is): I'm the real thing," Donahue said Tuesday on Fox News Channel's "Fox and Friends. "You know what, sell yourself on your issues, not on what your religion is."
Huckabee said the bookshelf is just a bookshelf and shrugged off the controversy: "I will confess this: If you play the spot backwards it says, 'Paul is dead. Paul is dead."'
He was joking about the Beatles' recording of "The White Album" and the urban legend that if a portion of the album is played backwards, the words "Paul is dead" is heard, a reference to the very much alive Paul McCartney.
©MMVII, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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- he knew what he was doing, just like his momon comment, he''s a preacher!
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- The producer said he was actually trying to capture the fireplace.
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- None of you would have even noticed it if the media hadn''t told you to notice it.
Get real. Its just a book shelf. - Reply to this comment
- I don''''''''t support Huckabee but, making a big deal out of a bookshelf is extreme.
Posted by denn034
Not really, making a big deal about someones underwear is extreme. huckabee is just the typical deceiving baptist preacher who is anti other faiths and is willing to lie just about anything. including his remark about jesus and satan and acting dumb to the fact that he ''has'' no idea. what baptist preacher does not know how to tell lies about the mormons or any other religion????? - Reply to this comment
- I was raised Baptist and I can remember trapping my fellow youths in a ''pizza party'' to force religion on them, ya know telling them they are going to hell if they do not get baptisted. Well, I sinse grew aware, and I can see that Huckabee is the typical anti other faiths, sneeky, lying preacher. That is sad and it is hard to believe that ''concerative'' Christians are blind to this fact. But that is called brainwashing. Baptist preachers are great at brainwashing.
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- It is time AGAIN to take Religion out of Politics or Close down the churches that interfere with Government. Religion is about helping people - NOT running their lives!
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- While Governor Huckabee is hardly my favorite in the ''08 presidential race, I am disgusted by the big deal the news media has made of Huckabee''s Christmas ad and even his role as a Chrstian leader. Has freedom of religion become so foreign to the news media that a person is prohibited from wishing people a "Merry Christmas"? Does the news media expect all politicians to renounce their faith and become atheists to satisfy those in the news media who lack religious (or any other) values and morals? Apparently so. I remind the media that only in Christian nations -- especially the United States -- does one find true religious tolerance and freedom today. What the news media clearly seeks is one of religious censorship. Journalism majors: You guys need to get a life!
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- I don''''t support Huckabee but, making a big deal out of a bookshelf is extreme.
Posted by denn034 at 10:34 PM : Dec 19, 2007
Take another look at the ad. That is obviously meant to look like what it was meant to look like, a cross. These ad''s are professionally produced and images like that do NOT happen be accident. Chris Matthews on Hardball called it the worst example of product placement he''s ever seen and I agree. However Huckabee denying that it was meant to be seen as a cross is an out and out lie. Not very christian of him to lie like that. - Reply to this comment
- I don''t support Huckabee but, making a big deal out of a bookshelf is extreme.
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- Huckabee''s Christmas ad is insulting for what it leaves out. Are only Christians supposed to celebrate their faith? This is NOT just the Christmas Season, as he so glibbly says. It is also the Bodhi Day; Eid al-adha; Hanukkah; Santa Lucia; Las Posadas; Kwanzaa; Winter Solstice/Yule and there are others. The idea that the month of December belongs to Christians only, is very insulting. He can have his own religion. But, as a Christian he should treat others as he wants to be treated. I don''t believe he''d hold still for a politician who mentioned the other religions and left out Christmas. How about a nice Holiday message. Huckabee can be any religion he wants. But, to ignore that the U.S. is a Country of many religions; faiths and beliefs doesn''t make me believe he''ll be a President that cares for all. I mean really, he can''t even concede that December is anything to Celebrate besides the Christian Holiday. Some Christians get very upset that there are signs that say ''Happy Holidays'', instead of ''Merry Christmas''. Well, at least ''Happy Holidays'' does not omit Christmas. It only includes more than Christianity. But, Huckabee has offended all non-Christians and many who are Christian and believe in tolerance. This is NOT the uniter this country needs.
Karen Fulster - Reply to this comment
- s a Christian I have no problem with Huckabee wishing
all Christians a Merry Christmas.
As an American I want my President to be the President of all the people and if he feels the need to use a political ad to honor the Holidays he should honor all the Holidays taking place this time of year and wish a happy holiday to Jewish-Americans & Muslim-Americans as well.
If he only cares about and respects Christians he should stick to the ministry and leave the Presidency to someone who can place the responsibilities of the office ahead of his personal belief.
Posted by realpatriot1 at 08:00 PM : Dec 19, 2007
My sentiments exactly realpatriot1. He denies it was a cross can you believe that said he was worried about the fireplace. - Reply to this comment
- As a Christian I have no problem with Huckabee wishing
all Christians a Merry Christmas.
As an American I want my President to be the President of all the people and if he feels the need to use a political ad to honor the Holidays he should honor all the Holidays taking place this time of year and wish a happy holiday to Jewish-Americans & Muslim-Americans as well.
If he only cares about and respects Christians he should stick to the ministry and leave the Presidency to someone who can place the responsibilities of the office ahead of his personal belief. - Reply to this comment
- The cross image was unmistakable and it obviously was there on purpose. When asked about it Huckabee lied. What more does one need to know about this phony christian?
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- In Massachusetts, the Berkshires to be exact, the city councilmen want to ban Christmas Lights to save the environment. Little teeny Christmas Lights across a little tourist town. Seems to bother a lot of people at this time of year. Oh, and the councilmen don''''t call these teeny little lights Christmas Lights. No they are holiday lights and they should be snuffed out to preserve the environment. Now if you don''''t see that as a rouse to drown out Christmas, you truly are a dolt. Wake up. Posted by mudrose at 10:37 AM
Wake up yourself. That is like finding a needle in a haystack. And for what purpose? Obviously people are going to put up lights regardless. Why create a scandal when there is no scandal? Oh..because it makes great politics, that''s why! - Reply to this comment
- Huckabee is eligible to be chief minister of fake religiosity and pope of pandering.
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- Gee it doesn''''t seem to bother the 88% of the population that have and hold religious beliefs. Excuse me if we don''''t move over to accommodate those that just feel so put out at the mention of religion that the feel psychologically harmed. How many times does the majority have to be subjudicated, silence and abused by the minority. I''''d say, be real, suck up and move on.
Posted by mudrose at 02:05 PM : Dec 19, 2007
My post never said anything about the sensitivities of an atheist, but for the sensitivities of those whose faith are not rooted in Christianity. You think Huck''s message neglected to honor only atheists? Hardly, his message neglected to honor all non-christian faiths. This time of year is important to Muslims, Jews, Christians...even Chinese Americans and Pagans. What I am saying is if Huck can''t open his heart to touch the souls of all of our country''s great philosophies during this most important time of the year, well then he should not be considered a viable candidate to lead us. If he can''t find it in himself to honor us us one, I see no hope for him to lead us as one. - Reply to this comment
- Anyone addressing the nation with hopes of being president with an overtly Christian message in a time of year that holds a tremendous amount of importance for people of just about every faith is out of touch with this coutry''''''''s heart and foundation. It is about as irrationaland neglectful a message to deliver to a mixed pot of religious sensitivities as one can muster. A candidate''''''''s message should be inclusive and touching to the souls of EVERY American, not just the ones in agreement with his ministry. He should keep his Christas greetings to his family and friends and address the general populace of this nation in a way that touched us all...any less in unworthy of the White House.
Posted by ThinkHarder-
Gee it doesn''t seem to bother the 88% of the population that have and hold religious beliefs. Excuse me if we don''t move over to accommodate those that just feel so put out at the mention of religion that the feel psychologically harmed. How many times does the majority have to be subjudicated, silence and abused by the minority. I''d say, be real, suck up and move on. - Reply to this comment
- Anyone addressing the nation with hopes of being president with an overtly Christian message in a time of year that holds a tremendous amount of importance for people of just about every faith is out of touch with this coutry''''s heart and foundation. It is about as irrationaland neglectful a message to deliver to a mixed pot of religious sensitivities as one can muster. A candidate''''s message should be inclusive and touching to the souls of EVERY American, not just the ones in agreement with his ministry. He should keep his Christas greetings to his family and friends and address the general populace of this nation in a way that touched us all...any less in unworthy of the White House.
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- Happy non-denominational, non-specific, whatever the hell you choose to celebrate (or not) holiday.
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- What is funny is the Republicans just don''t learn.
Remember the KY governor who tried to show himself with the 10 Commandments. That really helped him in fact the Republican senator is now running adds in fear of losing his seat this election. For year KY was always a red state now it looks like the Deep South is getting tired of these backwood bible thumper s promising morals to everyone but themselves.
Just can''t teach and old dog new tricks that is why Mike is never going to win. But it would be nice if he gets the nomination so he can be eaten alive. - Reply to this comment
