Les Jones: Stupid Controversy Over Huckabee Christmas Ad

December 19, 2007

Media Behaving Badly > Stupid Controversy Over Huckabee Christmas Ad

There's a ginned-up controversy over the Mike Huckabee Christmas ad (above). The controversy has to do with whether the bookshelf in the background forms a crucifix and whether that's a crypto-Christian symbol.

This is the most retarded media controversy in months. In the video, Huckabee says "what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ and being with our family and our friends." There's also a Christmas tree in the background, and the music playing is "Silent Night." Huckabee signs off with "On behalf of all of us, God bless and Merry Christmas."

Why are some people upset that there's supposedly a subliminal religious symbol in a Mike Huckabee video that's overtly about religion and a religious holiday? I'm no Huckabee fan and I'm a big stinkin' heathen to boot, but as controversies go this one's a pointless media creation (and by media I include the Drudge Report, which has flogged this for the past week).

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Comments

Byron York has a good column:

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZDA5MzkyYzY3NzY1NGM0NDEzZjIyOGQ5ZjA5MjcwNTk=

It's really a brilliant ad:

* Huckabee's getting all kara-tay here, ignoring Romney's attack ads and stepping to the side as Romney swings and misses and flails ineffectually, making R. look both weak and desperate, and exactly *not* the sort of person you'd want to have around for the next 4 or 8 years. Meanwhile Huckabee's just this normal guy, sitting around just like you in a comfy sweater by the tree instead of obsessing about politics.

* But wrapped up in that is one of the all-time great dog-whistle blowings. I, and I imagine most non-fundies, didn't catch it, but the subtexts in the ad are:
1. Romney could never say this sort of stuff in public. Because he's a blaspheming heretic Mormon, you know.
2. I'm on your side in the War on Xmas. And I know it's not about just being free to say "Merry Christmas". I'm not afraid of the secularists, and I'm going to use the presidency to put religion back into our country.

Posted by: Steve K. at December 20, 2007

I agree with you, Les. This seems to be overblown (even made up), and I just don't get what the big deal is. He is just a guy wishing you a Merry Christmas in a living room (or set of a living room).

Posted by: Craig T. at December 20, 2007

I just don't get what the big deal is. He is just a guy wishing you a Merry Christmas in a living room

No. He's a guy wishing you a Merry Christmas AND OH BY THE WAY REMEMBER THAT CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT JESUS.

Outside of overtly religious contexts, nobody in 21st century America pointedly brings up Christ when talking about Christmas unless they are trying to make a point about secularization of the holiday, and more generally about secularization of our culture.

But yeah, the OMG IT'S A SUBLIMINAL CROSS thing is stupid.

Posted by: Steve K. at December 20, 2007

That is true, Steve, he is reminded us that Christmas is about Jesus. But at no point has he tried to hid his faith from the voters. That is why I just don't think it is a big deal; and the "floating cross" is crazy.

Posted by: Craig T. at December 20, 2007