More crosses cross over into politics

There's been a lot of debate over whether that's really an appropriate or floating cross in the new Christmas ad of Mike Huckabee, a Baptist preacher who's made his faith a keystone of his campaign. It wouldn't be shocking; he's called himself a "Christian leader" in another ad. In fact, we wrote about this just a few hours ago.

But now, as the holidays and the Iowa caucus and early primaries near, comes another cross in a political ad. And there can be no doubt about the intentions of this one for Sen. John McCain, who's going up with this commercial in South Carolina and New Hampshire starting today.

In the 30-second ad McCain, who spent six years as a POW in North Vietnam, tells a story of his wartime incarceration. "One night, after being mistreated as a POW," McCain says, "a guard loosened the ropes binding me, easing my pain. On Christmas, the same guard approached me and without saying a word, he drew a cross in the sand." In the ad, a hand holding a twig draws a cross in sand.

"We stood wordlessly looking at the cross, remembering the true light of Christmas," the former Navy pilot continues. "I will never forget that no matter where you are, no matter how difficult the circumstances, there will always be someone who will pick you up.

"Enjoy your family. Have a pleasant Christmas and a happy holidays." You can view the short video here.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Carolina]

It is offensive and cheap to use religion for political reasons and in political ads. Haven't we learned anything from the past 8 years about how destructive and deceptive using religion for political purposes can be?

[Stephen Dolle]

I really think each of these candidates needs to be honest with us, and be themselves. For Huckabee, he is a Preacher man, and no doubt that will be used against him as things get further along. For right now, he is working the religious angle, yet he'll have to answer for it later.

Hillary Clinton also needs to be herself, and come out with her story on what it was like to be married to a man who was popular with women. I mean she should say it, about the sex. Everybody has sex, so why pretend differently.

Obama seems a bit stuck in the 60s with his teenage drug use. But he seems to be using it to his strength. I say keep at it.

Romney and Guiliani seem too caught up in promoting how they'll make you richer, and after the housing and numerous financials busts, voters aren't biting it. The rest of the field is uninteresting.

So next year we may be voting for our next president based on religion, sex, drugs, and stock options. I'll take the stock options if they're available. But otherwise, I want just prescription drugs, and wouldn't mind having sex with this attractive woman at church.

[Mary Stewart]

I don't have a problem with candidates expressing their well wishes for me during this Christmas season. However, one must wonder if any of them would have aired at all, had Mike Huckabee not been so popular in the polls and parted the sea, so to speak, with his own Merry Christmas ad. They say imitation is the highest compliment. Well, compliments to you Mike. You're leading the pack. Let's just hope that the candidates do not get into a spirituality contest. Mike Huckabee pulls it off because he seems sincere (not saying Mr. McCain doesn't) and he has been roasted for his spiritual beliefs, which he has maintained without abandon, and just comes off smelling sweeter. The other's might run the risk of coming off as copy cats. Oh, and Merry Christmas!!!

[Mary Stewart]

I actually do not have a problem with John McCain. No one can argue his courage or his sacrifice to this country, but the reason Mike Huckabee will get my vote is because he is solid on most of the issues that are dead on important to me AND at least consistant on the ones that aren't. He's a persuasive speaker who comes off as personable and unrehearsed. I am especially interested in The Fair Tax plan.