Video: Rudy’s Christmas ad
posted at 9:10 am on December 19, 2007 by Allahpundit
Am I crazy to read this as a sly, secular counterpoint to Huck’s ad? The red sweater, Christmas tree, and yuletide greetings are generic for Christmas spots — Ron Paul’s ad had them too — but Paul’s ad came out before Huckabee’s splashed down and got so much attention. Everything in its wake in this vein will feel like a commentary on it, which makes the absence of that, ahem, “bookshelf” in this ad that much more conspicuous. If Rudy had tried to parody it by positioning a Yankees logo or something in the background where the bookshelf should be, I’d probably have endorsed him just for his cheekiness. Then, for once, the secularists could have played the faux-naivete game with Huck’s supporters. “He’s not mocking you. The Yankee logo’s there coincidentally.”
This one’s much more overtly political than Huck’s was, of course. Emphasis on “overtly.” Alas, poor Rudy, we knew him well.
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I vote for the guy on his left at the end. He knows who been good or bad.
right2bright on December 19, 2007 at 9:12 AM
Is that a golden egg behind Santas head at the end?
Complete7 on December 19, 2007 at 9:14 AM
I gotta tell you, noone exudes confidence, positivity, and a general sense of humor like Giuliani. Fred! takes a close second.
Let’s get Rudy in office, please.
Vincenzo on December 19, 2007 at 9:15 AM
what…was….that?
zane on December 19, 2007 at 9:18 AM
Reading too much into it. Just a spot to make his pitch. The trappings are the same trappings we all see every year.
Rudy is a good man. Not my first or second choice but I’d vote for him over a Donk any day.
Limerick on December 19, 2007 at 9:20 AM
I wouldn’t read too much into it. I thought it was pretty good. He’s staying on message and showing he’s a good natured guy.
CP on December 19, 2007 at 9:26 AM
No man can pull off wearing a red vest. (Well, maybe David Beckham.) It looks like an oversized bib. Is he about to sit down to eat at Red Lobster?
Michelle on December 19, 2007 at 9:30 AM
To me, Rudy looks silly like that. He’s not a touchy feely guy, which I like about him. So don’t look soft when you’re not. Wear an expensive dark suit, say Merry Christmas, and move on.
JiangxiDad on December 19, 2007 at 9:32 AM
r2b,
Yep, and you should be getting coal in your stocking.
Buy Danish on December 19, 2007 at 9:33 AM
Evidence of the pussification of the modern male. And I hate fruitcake and red sweaters.
AZCON on December 19, 2007 at 9:33 AM
(calling my plastic surgeon and ordering a David Beckham kit)
Limerick on December 19, 2007 at 9:33 AM
At least they fixed the Nosferatu lighting. But he really needs to lose the red vest. Can’t imagine Fred wearing one. He would have thrown it right back at the wardrobe person who suggested it.
Brat on December 19, 2007 at 9:34 AM
Rudy’s been naughty and nice. If he could just be naughty only at the right times, he’d be very nice.
If we have to vote based on Christmas spots, I’m voting for Mr. Garrison.
saint kansas on December 19, 2007 at 9:37 AM
There was no cross shaped furniture in the room, but there was Santa. So is Rudy saying that Santa is a Republican? Has anyone checked for illegal elves at the North Pole?
He also said “Holiday” gifts, and not Christmas. Yet, he has a sign that says Christmas. What is he trying to pull something over on illiterates and illegal atheists that can’t read the English language? Wasn’t that “T” in Christmas more like a cross than a “T”?
That was a political message more than Huck’s. Kind of a, “I’m Batman” and Santa is my biotch.
Are we going to get a Christmas message from everyone now? Will Mitt do a Smithmas message?
Hening on December 19, 2007 at 9:41 AM
The way to counter Huck’s ad is for ALL the candidates to do their own Happy Holidays ads. In essence, each guy’s “take” on the Holidays is an interesting reflection of their inner personality.
You see a huge difference between Rudy and Huck.. and if Mitt and Fred and John do theirs we can get a nice window into how each man’s “tone” is different.
Was it just me, or did Rudy’s vest look a little like an Umpire’s Chest Protector? Rudy needed a cardigan.
Always Right on December 19, 2007 at 9:48 AM
I liked it. The lightheartedness was good–it made me smile. Now I’m really looking forward to Fred’s holiday spot. I expect cheekiness galore.
aero on December 19, 2007 at 9:50 AM
The conspicuous absence of a cross was so Rudy wouldn’t burst into flames.
Valiant on December 19, 2007 at 9:52 AM
Heh, Michelle busting on the front runner. . . I love it!
But seriously, this was no Christmas ad. He threw together all the catch phrases that Republicans like and said this is your Christmas present. I’d have appreciated a break from politics in a ‘holiday spot’.
I really don’t see the big deal about the window pane making the shape of a cross. I’d think all you guys are stoners. You know, if you squint reeeeel hard, you can see the virgin mary in my burnt toast this morning. . . should I eat it or praise it? I’m not a Huckabee fan, but for those people who bash him for having a window and a Christmas tree in his Christmas message while saying Merry Christmas. . . you people need to find something else to complain about. There’s plenty to complain about Huckabee other than the window pane in his Christmas commercial. Really – slow news cycle?
ThackerAgency on December 19, 2007 at 9:55 AM
Fred has a wardrobe person?
sweeper on December 19, 2007 at 9:57 AM
Not really. I read it as Rudy saying “while all the rest of these guys argue about God and where to go to church on Sundays, I’m promising tax cuts, strong national defense, good judges, etc.” He’s shown that he’s perfectly capable of talking about religion in this campaign, but chose not to do so in this ad. It had to have been intentional.
Big S on December 19, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Michelle on December 19, 2007 at 9:30 AM
IMO: sweater vests are made to hide pocket protectors…. lol :)
mrfixit on December 19, 2007 at 10:06 AM
No man should ever wear a sweater vest. Ever.
Pablo on December 19, 2007 at 10:15 AM
When fascism comes, it’ll come with Santa Clause and a fruitcake
jp on December 19, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Rudy is charisma, no question about it.
Spirit of 1776 on December 19, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Robin Givhan?
Brat on December 19, 2007 at 10:23 AM
By the way, there’s a second ad on the front page at Rudy’s site. Pretty much the same thing.
Big S on December 19, 2007 at 10:43 AM
That’s funny…
jdpaz on December 19, 2007 at 10:44 AM
This just goes to show that Rudy is mainly concerned with issues that matter the most to all Americans, and not enter the stupid religious and moral debates. Religion should never be a factor when electing a president and it’s a damn shame that some of us on the right are turning it into a big fat deal.
Combating terrorism, securing our boarders, and preserving the economy should be the focus here, and not the difference between different versions of Christianity and the legality of abortion. Let’s get the real issues down first and THEN worry about the little things.
Its Tommy on December 19, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Its Tommy on December 19, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Rudy takes a mild swipe at the other Republican candidates over infighting in the second ad I linked above.
Big S on December 19, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Nice, light-hearted ad.
If there was a subtle reference to Huckabee, I think it was the fruitcake…
LagunaDave on December 19, 2007 at 11:35 AM
I thought that it was a coded message for the Log Cabiners.
Brat on December 19, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Because Ron Paul did the Christmas ad, now all the candidates have to follow suit? Damn, I dread to see Hillary Clinton’s Christmas ad.
mram on December 19, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Heh, I wasn’t gonna go that far, I was just gonna say the red sweater vest is kinda goofy lookin’
I do like the guy, he’s far from my first choice, but Rudy’s a decent guy, and yeah, a Yankees pennant would have been hella funny.
Bad Candy on December 19, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Yes, but instead of a subliminal cross, Barack Obama will be lit from behind and surrounded by adoring shepherds and manger animals.
saint kansas on December 19, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Is it just me or does the sweater vest make him look a little like Bob Newhart? Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Bryan on December 19, 2007 at 1:24 PM
I liked it. No creepy floating cross.
Tzetzes on December 19, 2007 at 4:00 PM