Dec 20 2007
If you don’t like it–don’t vote for him…
Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee stood steadfast by his new ad in which he wishes American voters of all faiths a “Merry Christmas.” In the ad, the former Baptist preacher wears a red sweater and stands before a Christmas tree as “Silent Night” plays in the background. As he speaks, a cross-like image, which he explains is just bookshelves, seems to glow behind him.
“Are you about worn out by all the television commercials you’ve been seeing, mostly about politics? Well, I don’t blame you,” says Huckabee in the ad. “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.”
“I hope you and your family have a magnificent Christmas season. God bless you and Merry Christmas.”
The former Arkansas governor has been criticized for the ad by some for going too far with mixing religion and politics.
Read about it here.
[From me]
If you don’t like what he has to say–then don’t vote for the man. Please, this is who he is. The people complaining wouldn’t have voted for him in the first place. Why do people want to change other people. If you don’t like something a person is doing then don’t hang around them and in politics, don’t vote for them. If Mitt Romney did a Mormon commercial I wouldn’t care because I’m not voting for him. Quit nit-pickin’
What do you think?
10 responses so far
I find Gov. Huckabee’s political journey fascinating. The main objections to him, and most nasty attacks are coming from the establishment Republican party. The Liberals and Democrats have their own fish to fry at the moment. Donahue simply joins the chorus of right wing commentators, bloggers and opinion makers.
I am just amazed that a political party (i.e. the Republicans) who have courted the Evangelical Christian vote for 30 some years, freaks out when one (Huckabee) gets real traction in the polls.
I have felt for over a decade that the Republicans truly believe that “values voters” are idiots and now Peggy Noonan (former speech writer to Ronald Reagan) all but calls them that in her Wall Street Journal column (Friday, December 7, 2007).
Personally I think Gov. Huckabee’s add was nice, upbeat and just pleasant to hear. I do think it was political, in that ANYTHING a politician does in this season of campaigning is! I think he was clearly saying look at me, I am the REAL Christian, others, are well… Do I think that is ok? SURE!! As Kevin says, you don’t like it, don’t vote for him.
A larger issue is, that the Republican party has used Christian voters to get themselves into power based on Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” for decades. Have they delivered much of the so-called Christian agenda? No, they just want those “values votes” to keep piling up in their camp. Problem is, now Gov. Huckabee comes along, and he is a true believer, and now the Party bigwigs think they are being overtaken by theocrats. Hm.. wonder how that happened?
Now I will leave with a quote from right wing blogger Lee at Right-Thinking.com
The inmates have taken over the asylum. And, unfortunately, the exact same thing has happened to the conservative movement. It’s gone topsy-turvy, from a party which respected religion to a party defined by religion. And until the James Dobsons and Pat Robertsons of the world are gone, the religious buffoons in this country (i.e. Huckabee voters) will continue to run the party and sully the good name of conservatism,”
I think it’s a shameful chapter in American history when a person’s primary credential for the office of President is his religion. It’s the kind of thing that the Constitution attempts to guard against by prohibiting religious tests for government officials. I don’t think the problem lies as much with the candidates and their religious ads as it does with the segment of American society who votes for a candidate’s religion first, and the issues a distant second - not to mention the large subsegment of that population who votes for a candidate’s religion… period. Strategically speaking, it’s a good ad.
Just curious: what do you think about Duncan Hunter’s position vs. Mike Huckabee’s position on income tax? On torture and Guantanamo? On human rights and Darfur? What are some important issues that you feel distinguishes these 2 candidates? What do you think about Duncan Hunter vs. Mike Huckabee with regard to religion?
Kevin-
I think the entire episode is silly. First, the image does not even resemble a “Christian” cross, so if that we his intent he needs to study history more. Second, it really looks like a curio cabinet as you can see knick-knacks (not books) on the shelves. Third, so what if he’s pandering to a Christian base? Not unlike Hillary with her goofy socialist Christmas present ad. This is much ado over nothing; it’s politics.
If I were running, I would wish Jewish people “Happy Hanukkah,” I would wish Christians and others “Merry Christmas” since that’s what I celebrate and want them to celebrate as well.
Monk and Atheist make good points, although I don’t think we are in a societal low point where religion is the primary qualification of our president. I do think a number of political strategists have pitched a personal “religion” as proof of morals and values. If one has ever been in church there has been recognition that that statement is not true.
Recognizing the diversity of our culture and an ability to unite the sub-groups with courage, integrity, and wisdom should be primary in my opinion. Too many politicians seek to win the favor of a group by convincing them they are oppressed and that they will lead them out of oppression into the promised land. Unfortunately, when doing so, the only way to maintain control is by keeping those groups oppressed. What would they have to gain if they actually came through on their promises?
There should be nothing wrong with recognizing the origin of Christmas, or Chanukkah, or any other holiday. I don’t pitch a fit in the media because the one comic celebrates Kwanza. It isn’t a big deal to me. Heck, I learned a little bit about Kwanza. We need to quit treating the USA as if it’s the new Israel.
Kevin,
I decided several weeks ago that I would vote for the “man from HOPE” in the February primaries.
Mike Huckabee has my primary vote.
Personally, I like Huckabee. And I will not apologize for PART of the reason being his faith in Jesus Christ. No, that would not be the only reason I’d vote for him. Being a Christian does not solely qualify one for the office of President; however, it does carry some weight in my opinion.
“I’m your huckleberry.”
Oops, wrong guy.
I’m pretty sure that when we, as Christians, follow Christ and make a public statement, we will not be popular. Huckabee for President! : )
“If you don’t like what he has to say–then don’t vote for the man.”
I won’t. If Huckabee is nominated, I’m leaving the Republican Party, and many others will follow. The GOP is supposed to be *killing* religious fundamentalists, like the folks in the Party of God (the Hezb’Allah). Huckabee wants America to turn the other cheek to dictators and theocrats. Huckabee is against federalism and the Constitution– he says we can’t have 50 different versions of God’s Law. Huckabee is also pro-socialism– universal healthcare, protectionism, higher taxes, et cetera. Plus I don’t like the fact Huckabee pardons every rapist and murderer that shouts “Jesus!”, and stands his judgment about putting gays with AIDS in concentration camps.
Mike Huckabee indeed is the second coming of Jimmy Carter. I’ll take my chances with Comrade Clinton should he be nominated.
You know that Huckabee and I have the same style bookcase? LOL
I like Huckabee. He’s no Jimmy Carter.