Fact checks? What facts? 'I hope you have a Merry Christmas'? 'Tired many polical ads'?

There are no facts here, but there is a message. Given the attention this ad has received, apparently a very effective ad for Huckabee. The KNS also printed a story on the ad in today's paper. See it here (link...)

Geez, in these days of politics, a candidate can't say Merry Christmas without allegation of a subliminal 'cross' in the bookcase (if you took a video of my den, I apparently have similar 'crosses') and being accused of offending one group or another. Those who may be somehow offended by this ad aren't likely to be Huckabee voters in the first place. But, for Republican Iowa caucus voters, this ad just might hit home.

I don't see a lot of people claiming "offense" over seeing a cross, but there are significant questions about the truthfulness of the Huckster's campaign. They lied and continue to lie about how the ad was made and whether the cross imagery was intentional.

It's not about your strawman of "offense;" it's about the Huckabee campaign's fundamental dishonesty. LeanLeft put it this way:

It’s an utterly trivial issue - except that the campaign itself feels they cannot allow themselves to tell the truth about it.

That's the central problem with both the ad and the candidate.

~Russ

LeanLeft put it this way:

No doubt these are objective observers and critics of the Huckabee campaign.

It borders on hilarious that Lean Left is trying to disect the ad and questions whether it was shot on the run or planned in advance (the Huckabee campaign says it was shot quickly and with little or no planning). The apparent video experts at Lean Left claim they can tell how it was shot by how the camera or scenery moves. I admittedly don't read Lean Left, but do they know what the Huckabee campaign has access to? My guess is they don't know what kind of equipment the Huckabee campaign can assemble on short notice. But, more than that, what in the heck does the Huckabee campaign have to gain by saying it was shot with almost no planning?

If this is the best the 'left' can do, Huckabee is in fine shape. Merry Christmas!

But, more than that, what in the heck does the Huckabee campaign have to gain by saying it was shot with almost no planning?

It's really very simple: the Huckster's campaign is trying to paint him as not slick, polished, or scripted like Giuliani or Romney. By claiming the ad was impromptu, they're obviously trying to make the public believe Huckabee isn't like the other candidates. That's why they're lying about the origin of the ad and the deliberate placement of the cross symbolism (which, I believe, was first noticed by Matt Drudge).

This comes from the same mold as Fred's truck, Lamar's flannel shirt, and Bush's fake affinity for brush-clearing -- an attempt to convince the public that the candidate is somehow just an ordinary guy, and not one of those polished products like the other candidates.

Of course, that is the point you desperately keep trying to miss.

~Russ

This comes from the same mold as Fred's truck, Lamar's flannel shirt, and Bush's fake affinity for brush-clearing -- an attempt to convince the public....

And let's not forget Dukakis in a tank, and Pres. Clinton walking down the church steps with his Bible in one hand and Hillary's in the other, and John Kerry's supporters emphasizing his supposed love of ice hockey and hunting.

Oh wait, they're Democrats, so it's probably already forgotten.

Rachel, you seem desperate for me to criticize some Republican. I have criticized a number on this blog. I do offer a different and sometimes opposing view. I think that's a good thing.

Is there any Republican you like?