New ads: McCain loves America, Huckabee loves God
posted at 9:22 am on November 26, 2007 by Allahpundit
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Chuck Norris is a tough act to follow, which is why for ad number two Huck’s gone straight to the top. Ambinder thinks his line about policies and principles is aimed at Rudy; I think Rudy’s more the pretext here and the real target is Fred, whose federalist approach to abortion is sharply different from Huck’s. (Or is it?) I suspect ad number three will touch on this crowd-pleaser. But what about when he starts talking about domestic policy? Does he dare promote his, er, Silkier side? People are, after all, beginning to talk.
As for Mac, anything missing here from the list of constituencies enraged by his righteous policy proposals? There’s a certain issue I’m thinking of. Let’s see if you can guess. Here’s a hint: It single-handedly destroyed his candidacy.
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If it wasn’t for the imigration mess McCain would get my vote in a heart beat
KBird on November 26, 2007 at 9:28 AM
Like I keep saying, if a Democrat is elected President in 2008, the readership here will be wishing they could have McCain-Kennedy back. Minority status means compromise sometimes.
Big S on November 26, 2007 at 9:31 AM
I’ll say one thing for Huckabee, he knows his Iowa audience.
EduardoOTI on November 26, 2007 at 9:35 AM
I’ll probably be out in left field at HA with this, but talk about single-handedly destroying a candidacy.
My reaction to seeing that Huckabee ad with the words “Christian Leader” spelled out was gut wrenching. You have no idea how excluded I just felt. It’s fine when he talks about his faith. But Christian leader screams exclusion. I don’t follow a christian leader, just a leader. I guarantee you I won’t be alone among the public in responding this way.
JiangxiDad on November 26, 2007 at 9:35 AM
Where is immigration…it’s not a problem anymore?
right2bright on November 26, 2007 at 9:38 AM
I’d be out in Left field with you. I’m voting for President – not a Christian leader. I have one already.
amerpundit on November 26, 2007 at 9:42 AM
The more I see from Mike Huckabee the less I like him, and I wasnt all that crazy for him to begin with. Didn’t “Christian Leader” go out sometime shortly after the Crusades ended??
Anyway, Bob Novak’s syndicated column today takes a HUGE bite out of Huck completely separate from the religious stuff — he draws attention to his advocacy of HIGHER TAXES, MORE GOVT SPENDING and NANNY STATISM in Arkansas. All things that fiscal and economic conservatives LOATHE.
maybe Huck really does belong back with the Christian Crusaders.
Always Right on November 26, 2007 at 9:44 AM
On decisive issues, McCain backed away from the Bush, just to flex his muscle and show that he isn’t a yes man. Sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and be a team player. McCain is not a team player.
I am glad that Huck would never “sacrifice his principles” for anything…the problem is his principles may not be mine, and his principles may not work in the time of war. Is waterboarding against one of his principles? Is ordering the eviction of illegal immigrants a “principle”? Sorry, I don’t care about your principles, I care about defending the U.S., and that may mean you have to compromise your (and yes even the states) principles. That is what a leader does, he makes tough decisions.
right2bright on November 26, 2007 at 9:44 AM
Hey Huckabee – the last time God made a political appointment:
A: The man wasn’t really a politician
B: It was a really long time ago
EricPWJohnson on November 26, 2007 at 9:45 AM
I will not vote for anyone who was for the amnesty bill, period.
saiga on November 26, 2007 at 9:45 AM
JiangxiDad on November 26, 2007 at 9:35 AM
amerpundit on November 26, 2007 at 9:42 AM
So the 2 of you have a problem with him pointing out his faith, you feel it’s exclusionary? Why?
Defense Guy on November 26, 2007 at 9:45 AM
If you feel “excluded” now, in this life, what will you feel in the next do you suppose. As for the way the “public” responds, the “public” had better enjoy themselves now, cause paying ones own wages is an eternal endeavor, apparently…
NRA4Freedom on November 26, 2007 at 9:46 AM
I didn’t say I felt excluded, JD did. And JD expressly said:
I don’t mind him discussing his faith either. “Christian Leader” just doesn’t need to be the first thing in a campaign commercial. I already have one of those. I’m glad he’s a Christian. Where does he stand on immigration? Taxes? That’s what’s going to affect me more.
amerpundit on November 26, 2007 at 9:50 AM
The only real “Christian Leader” is CHRIST.
Just saying.
otcconan on November 26, 2007 at 9:51 AM
Heh. That’s probably why he’s focusing on his faith.
The ad itself is shameless pandering. It’s almost insulting, really.
Slublog on November 26, 2007 at 9:55 AM
Both of these ads seem to be aimed drawing contrasts with Romney. The Huck ad is obvious in that regard, while the McCain ad plays up the “I’m not a pandering flip-flopper” theme. With Giuliani firing away in NH, the only candidate left to say anything is Fred. Will he join the party?
Big S on November 26, 2007 at 9:56 AM
OK, here goes. I’ve started in on this in several other threads but not posted it. Yes, I am an atheist — a reluctant one, but an atheist nonetheless. I’m “Christian-friendly” in the sense that I’m proud and lucky to live among Christians. But…
I’m sick of hearing about religion in this primary. The secular left and the MSM like nothing more than painting conservatives as “theocrats,” and Ol’ Huck is putting it right there in big letters.
I don’t give a flaming bag of golden ox manure whom Dobson endorses, whom Pat Robertson endorses, etc. Who would Jesus vote for? Crap, probably Obama, in awe of his superhuman powers.
I’m sick of hearing how Christians snap together Transformer-like into one giant robo-finger in the voting booth. I live among plenty of Commie Catholics who swear Jesus and Marx would be best buds.
OK, here’s a stupid analogy, but I’ll go there anyway. You know in Witness, where cop-disguised-as-Amish Harrison Ford breaks the guy’s nose? That’s who I want for president. Protect the country first so that its citizens can worship how they choose. Build the damn fence, control the borders, kill the terrorists, lower taxes, deliver the mail. That’s about it. As stated above so well, I don’t want a Christian leader, I just want a leader.
saint kansas on November 26, 2007 at 9:57 AM
Slublog on November 26, 2007 at 9:55 AM
Oh, come on. EVERYBODY loves a good pander now and then!
Big S on November 26, 2007 at 9:59 AM
I have a question. If McCain were to make a statement that he’s done some serious soul-searching, and he realizes now that he was wrong about illegal immigration/amnesty, and he understands now how he is a servant of the people and the people want secure borders, and he pledges quite honestly to crack down on illegal immigration–would he become electable? I’m just curious if it’s really just this one issue that killed McCain’s candidacy or if it’s his overall RINO-ness that did it and amnesty was just the last straw.
aero on November 26, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Really? I honestly didn’t think it was that bad.
YOU HATE GOD.
Allahpundit on November 26, 2007 at 10:04 AM
It would have been fine if Huckabee talked about how his faith influences his politics, but slapping the “CHRISTIAN LEADER” in super-font was a bit over the top.
I’m tired of Huckabee’s “vote for me because I’m a CHRISTIAN” appeal to religious conservatives. Does he think we’re that stupid? He’s got to bring more to the table than his faith.
Slublog on November 26, 2007 at 10:10 AM
No, just puppies.
Slublog on November 26, 2007 at 10:11 AM
Jimmy Baker was a “Christian leader”, Jim Jones, a minister with the Disciples of Christ, that’s just what we need, someone who calls himself a Christian leader. Don’t we have enough of those leaders now? They go to church, they wear their “body armor”, they speak from the pulpit, they go to secret special church services for the really, really, righteous, they even claim not to want to kill babies (and some do, and some did but don’t now) in the womb. Oh my, how about a leader that wants to lead, that may have to put his “Christian values” aside.
Live your life in the faith, lead your family with faith, don’t dictate with faith.
right2bright on November 26, 2007 at 10:11 AM
He’s a preacher. He’s saving babies. He’s MAGICAL.
Allahpundit on November 26, 2007 at 10:12 AM
“I don’t believe in God, but I believe in Allah.”
saint kansas on November 26, 2007 at 10:13 AM
You made me choke on a bagel. I think you’re trying to kill me.
Slublog on November 26, 2007 at 10:14 AM
You do realize the man is an ordained Southern Baptist minister right? He IS a Christian leader by definition. Whether or not he should emphasize that aspect of his experience in television ads really boils down to if Americans are going to be offended when a Christian DARES express his/her faith openly.
This has nothing to do with Huckabee’s ability to lead all Americans fairly and objectively. It has everything to do with expressing who Mike Huckabee is and it can hardly be offensive to mention that he is a Christian leader unless one is ready to be offended. Personally, I’m offended at the way Hillary gets away with mocking devout Christians as unfit for office.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Huckabee
highhopes on November 26, 2007 at 10:16 AM
He wouldn’t do it if it didn’t work.
Enrique on November 26, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Oh, that was a gratifying scene.
mikeyboss on November 26, 2007 at 10:21 AM
I’m Irish, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be in a campaign ad, while I simultaneously mention nothing about taxes, immigration or the issues I’m actually being elected to handle.
amerpundit on November 26, 2007 at 10:23 AM
Indeed.
Allahpundit on November 26, 2007 at 10:28 AM
I look at ‘Christian leader’ as a ‘leader who happens to be Christian’. Like Jesse Jackson might be a ‘black leader’. It is more descriptive of the person than who he leads.
As for McCain, I think if he wants to stand a chance, he needs to proclaim over and over and over again during the next 3 weeks that he was wrong on amnesty and now will only support immigration reform AFTER the flow if illegal aliens stops. He wants it to just go away without addressing it. But really it is the only thing that people think about when they see him.
For McCain to have a chance, he must explain that he was wrong to have offered amnesty before security (he has already said as much but he hasn’t made a big deal out of it because he wants it to go away quietly – which it won’t).
I’d say the same thing about Rudy and gun confiscation. For Rudy to get my support, he must say that he was wrong for trampling on the 2nd amendment rights of the citizens of NYC. I expect to see flying pigs before that ever happens though because he thinks he should have done that and will try to convince people that his action there was the correct one. So we’re on two different planets on that issue.
ThackerAgency on November 26, 2007 at 10:38 AM
That really comes down as a strategic decision, doesn’t it? As Enrique pointed out, he does it because it appeals to a certain demographic. I imagine your ads would have you drinking dark malted beverages, bleeding green, and sounding like a leprichan were you running for public office in South Boston. Virtually all political candidates will tell you what church they belong to and what leadership positions they have held in their local church. Why is this any different?
Frankly I think these forays into the candidate’s faith are distractors. Be it Huckabee daring to mention he is a Christian leader or the full-throttled attempts by many who are seeking to smear Romney’s candidacy with Christians solely on the basis of his affiliation with the LDS. Unless such issues as Huckabee calling himself a Christian leader is so offensive with voters that Hillary should be declared President, now is the time to stick to the real issues and leave the issue of faith for each candidate to express how he/she sees fit. I’m willing to find common cause with the churchless, atheists, agnostics and others JUST so long as they respect the fact that others hold different views and can find the tolerance to not be offended when an ordained minister calls himself a Christian leader.
highhopes on November 26, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Those of you who won’t vote for John McCain are asking for a Hillary Clinton Presidency. McCain is a military expert and fiscal conservative who has always been pro-life, whose books on character and courage are terrific, who was right about Iraq, who has been steadfast in his support of the troops (whom he visited over Thanksgiving), and who says he got the message of the American people on immigration requiring law enforcement first. Hillary is an anti-military socialist who is still openly for amnesty. According to polls, McCain is the one Republican who can beat Hillary. I think those of you who won’t vote for McCain are being utterly foolish.
Phil Byler on November 26, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Tin ear– both you and him. An ordained minister isn’t referring to himself as a Christian Leader– that would be redundant. A candidate for President of ALL the people is LABELING himself, in his own ads as a Christian leader. Why not wear a T-Shirt or a cap saying it?
What if Obama’s ads had BLACK LEADER pasted all over them? Get a clue. I’ll find common cause with you just as long as you respect the fact that others hold different views, and can find the tolerance to not be offended when non-Christians request that their candidates speak for all Americans.
JiangxiDad on November 26, 2007 at 11:21 AM
What makes you think they don’t? Have you seen a single ad that doesn’t have the subtle message that he should be President because he’s black? Why do you think he makes a big deal about having Jesse and Oprah on his side?
I’ve never shown the intolerance you’ve exhibited here. Mike Huckabee has never gone out and said that being a Baptist means that he speaks for all Americans through his faith. Ditto Romney and his Mormon ties. The intolerance come from those who simply can’t abide by those who don’t subscribe to that secular humanist crap. Put another way, a candidate that proudly discusses their faith shows far more character than a candidate that panders for votes by spouting meaningless euphimisms that keep brittle idiots from becoming offended that a Christian dares mention Christ!
It’s one thing if a candidate were to run on a platform of driving all the heathens out of America but to be offended that a Christian calls himself a Christian is another matter entirely! Grow a thicker skin if you aren’t even man/woman enough to deal like an adult in this situation! And, for the record, aren’t you speaking for “all non-Christians” when you demand this absence of faith in the poltical process? Why shouldn’t we all be offended about THAT?
highhopes on November 26, 2007 at 11:35 AM
I may be with Allahpundit on this one. While it is right to love God more than even th USA, you don’t need to make an Ad about it. It is even unseemly to suggest that a man like McCain who spent years in a POW camp being tortured has anything like “limited” faith.
I may have to forgive McCain for his slip on immigration. Even for some of his party transgressions. What troubles me is possibly that he has been weak when attacking the pork (even as the lone wolf). He claims he will make porky politicians famous. I wonder why he hasn’t done so already.
He looks like a pit bull. I would like to see him as one as VP. Pork is his primary conviction – “sick ‘em”.
One thing is for sure, it is time to get past the issues we agree upon (even as the candidates jockey for the top position).
It is time to take on the other side, point by point. We can’t win by talking to ourselves.
Agrippa2k on November 26, 2007 at 11:36 AM
JiangxiDad on November 26, 2007 at 11:21 AM
No, you’ll find common cause with Christians as long as they keep their mouth shut about it. The fact that this bothers you is enough to make me question whether I would want to find common cause with you. I find your view very intolerant.
Defense Guy on November 26, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Guess we don’t speak the same language. For the record, think you’re taking out your pent-up anger at the wrong non-Christian, but so be it. Good luck with your Huckabee for Pres. thing.
JiangxiDad on November 26, 2007 at 11:47 AM
JiangxiDad on November 26, 2007 at 11:47 AM
Yeah, anyone who has a different opinion than you, and who points out how yours is intolerant must have pent-up anger issues. Hey, good luck with pissing off a critical Republican voting block. How’d that work out in ‘06 BTW?
Defense Guy on November 26, 2007 at 11:51 AM
As I said, pent-up anger. I didn’t piss anyone off. Aim before you shoot.
JiangxiDad on November 26, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Well, at least you’ll be happy that president Hillary won’t mention her faith. Should be good times.
Defense Guy on November 26, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I’m going to start referring to Hot Air as Heavily Atheist. AP, why don’t you request the domain name be changed to that, so that it better reflects the purpose of this website. This way all you Hitchens groupies can salivate together in a pit of self importance while you are less likely to be visited by those silly Christ followers.
Vaporman87 on November 26, 2007 at 11:57 AM
I’m Christian, and I agree with you 100%. And I agree with Slublog, this is such a shameless pander its insulting.
Bad Candy on November 26, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Read through this thread again. It’s not the atheists who are leading the charge here. Or are Christians who respect the separation of church and state and reject religious pandering also de facto nonbelievers?
Allahpundit on November 26, 2007 at 12:03 PM
There seems to be an awful lot of selfishness and anger coming from certain elements of the “critical Republican voting block.” I’m Christian too, but it makes me very uncomfortable think that the (R) party might explicitly endorse a single faith.
Big S on November 26, 2007 at 12:10 PM
You’ve been around for too long not to know that the words you choose to use have an impact in and of themselves.
So now, because I don’t have a problem with a candidate pointing out his Christian bona fides means that I don’t respect the “separation of church and state”? Also, why is it religious pandering to point out that he is in fact a Christian leader?
Defense Guy on November 26, 2007 at 12:15 PM
And some folks say that Ron Paul is the nut.
MB4 on November 26, 2007 at 12:19 PM
MB4 on November 26, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Because we’re not electing a “Christian leader,” we’re electing a political one. I think Huckabee is using his faith as a smokescreen to hide his regrettable positions on taxation, spending, the limits of government power and immigration.
If Huckabee wants to impress me, he’ll talk about issues, not theology.
Slublog on November 26, 2007 at 12:24 PM
All are unbelievers who will be cursed and tormented for the rest of eternity.
- Mohammad
MB4 on November 26, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Defense Guy on November 26, 2007 at 12:15 PM
For me it comes down to the idea that the relationship between an individual and God is a very personal and private thing, which by definition can not be fully known or understood by others. To bring up the “Christian Leader” stuff in a campaign ad makes it seem like he’s comparing the quality of his faith to that of others, even though it is something that neither he nor the rest of us can truly judge, especially as distant observers. I’m not saying that we can’t have discussions about the role of faith in politics, or that we can’t decide to advocate policies according to our views of the world (limited by the Constitution, of course.) It’s just that the way he puts his faith forward like this seems tacky and cheap.
Big S on November 26, 2007 at 12:28 PM
Huckabee sounds like some Sunni Imam saying that Shiites are
not really Muslims. He does not sound at all Christ like. He sounds more Mohammad like.
MB4 on November 26, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Slublog on November 26, 2007 at 12:24 PM
I guess, my point is that it doesn’t bother me that he could do both.
Also, and this is not really directed at you slu, but my opinion isn’t any more or less selfish or hostile than any of the others being expressed here.
Defense Guy on November 26, 2007 at 12:30 PM
Huckabee rivals unearth ethics complaints
As Mike Huckabee gains ground on his rivals for the Republican nomination, opponents have quietly begun highlighting the slew of ethics issues the social conservative faced during his political career in Arkansas.
MB4 on November 26, 2007 at 12:31 PM
Huckabee = Carter minus Navy experience
MB4 on November 26, 2007 at 12:34 PM
I feel you. I’m not exactly fond of it myself.
But you’re applying the personal to the political – doing your own version of Pauline Kael. (”Nixon couldn’t have been elected! Nobody I know voted for him!”)
You may well have felt excluded. But I guarantee you tens of millions of recently apathetic evangelical Christians will hear that message and feel – for the first time recently – INCLUDED.
It’s politics. He’s taking a political gamble, and a pretty smart one, if you ask me. There’s a massive Republican voter bloc out there that feels disenfranchised, and those folks are not impressed with Rudy or Fred! or Mac, and are unsure about Mitt. If Huckabee makes YOU feel excluded, but gains two new primary voters – he’s doing it right.
Huck has this one thing that sets him apart. He is, in fact, a Christian leader. So he’s using it. And it seems to be working for him. Thus far. Nobody was saying his name two months ago.
Whether it will continue to work … or whether you “excluded” folks will create a backlash … or whether it will backfire enormously in a general election, if he got that far – remains to be seen.
For now, you might want to try looking at it from the perspective of the average Republican primary voter. Especially those in Iowa.
Professor Blather on November 26, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Eh. Maybe I am overreacting. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If my comments seemed over the top, please accept my apology. I suppose I can get a little defensive about this subject.
Funny thing is, I’ve never even considered voting for Mike.
Defense Guy on November 26, 2007 at 12:43 PM
Yes. Thanks.
I have.
JiangxiDad on November 26, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Yup. In a nutshell. It’s just smart politics. Arguably pandering, arguably divisive, arguably ultimately self-destructive, for the party in the general, for him specifically in the general.
But in the primary? It’s just smart. Nothing else he can really do. Not if he wants to win.
He got us talking about him, didn’t he? Meanwhile … is Fred! still running? Anybody know? Other than some discussion of what a she-beast his wife is … I haven’t heard anything lately.
Bet he shows up at a photo-op in church tomorrow.
Huckabee tried to release a “Black Leader” commercial. But it didn’t do well with focus groups. Also, the Klan felt “excluded.”
And the fact that Oprah and Jesse are endorsing the only Black candidate? Pure coincidence. Gotta be. Heck, I didn’t even know Obama was Black until you mentioned it.
Professor Blather on November 26, 2007 at 12:59 PM
As a Christian I don’t see being a Christian as the defining issue for voting for someone. I’m not interested in voting for Huckabee because there is something in his manner that is abrasive. I also don’t agree with him on the issues and a candidate being Christian is not enough to cause me to overlook what’s important. But what is important is that the candidate, even if he is not strong in faith, make a commitment to protect our religious freedoms.
Rose on November 26, 2007 at 1:23 PM
McCain forgot to mention how he P*ssed off the voters when he tried to give amnesty to the illegals.
SIJ6141 on November 26, 2007 at 5:59 PM
To SIJ6141: you have forgoten to pay attention to what John McCain has been saying for months now about immigration — that the reaction of the American people to the proposed immigration legislation last summer made it clear that law enforcement must come first.
In contrast, Hillary Clinton has made it clear in the last couple of weeks that she still supports amnesty. All you do by unfarly dumping on John McCain is to help the anti-military socialist Hillary Clinton get elected. Not smart.
Phil Byler on November 26, 2007 at 7:30 PM
I’m starting to see the genius of Huck’s campaign. It’s kind of similar to Hillary’s, in that it’s a two for one deal. But with Huck, you get Huck and God.
greggish on December 8, 2007 at 4:00 PM
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