Mike Huckabee released [1] a “Christmas” commercial this past week in which he reminds voters that some things are more important than politics, namely the birth of Jesus Christ.  The ad is running in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina and is without doubt an attempt to appeal to Christian conservatives.  But it is also a real reminder of “What Really Matters” as the title states….and a reminder of how savagely hated Christians often are in our 21^st century American society of overt secularism.

           

The ad features Huckabee sitting in a living room with a Christmas tree in the background.  Huckabee, donning a red sweater, talks for 30 seconds, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  In the background, one can also see a white bookshelf that appears to look like a “floating cross.”  Liberals (and even some so called Conservatives) have absolutely blown a gasket over the ad.  Huckabee is considered offensive for using the word Christmas and he’s accused of planting the “floating cross” to appeal to Christians.  Earlier this year he was blasted for using the phrase “Christian Leader” to describe himself in a commercial.  I ask this question:  Why all of the venom over the man’s religious beliefs?           
     So he used the word “Christmas” in a “Christmas” ad.  HOW DARE HE utter the name of Christ when celebrating the birth of Christ!!!  HOW DARE HE use the word Christmas when talking about Christmas!!!  Critics say he should have said “Seasons Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” or some other flimsy, universal, and meaningless phrase so as not to offend anyone.   NEWS FLASH:  MIKE HUCKABEE IS A CHRISTIAN.  Are Christians no longer allowed to celebrate the birth of their Lord?  Should anyone be surprised that a Christian would say “Merry Christmas?”  Personally, I wouldn’t think much of a Christian who was so worried about offending people that they wouldn’t utter the name of Christ at Christmas.  Now for some comments on the floating cross ad…           
     Huckabee claims that the cross was simply a bookshelf and that they didn’t notice that it looked like a cross when they made the ad.  I doubt that’s true.  Political commercials are SO scripted that I would assume the campaign people would notice every possible aspect of the ad.  But once again, I point out the obvious:  MIKE HUCKABEE IS A CHRISTIAN.  What’s wrong with a Christian having a cross in a Christmas ad?  He could have dressed up like Santa Claus and carried a whole bag full of crosses for all I care.  There’s no reason why anyone should be offended by that.  And if they are then they need to grow much, MUCH thicker skin.  The “floating cross” flap is completely asinine.  But Huckabee has risen in the polls, so you can expect more asinine and baseless attacks in the future.  Now for the “Christian Leaders” ad…           
     Huckabee was attacked for using the phrase “Christian Leader” to describe himself in a commercial.  That would be an odd phrase if he were a lifetime attorney, or a doctor, or an auto mechanic, or a ditch digger, or even a lifetime politician.  But he’s not.  What was his occupation before he got into politics?  HE WAS A BAPTIST PASTOR.  Which in most cases qualifies you to call yourself a “Christian Leader.”  Furthermore, he was President of the Arkansas Southern Baptist Convention, which made him the “Leader” of one of our nations largest religious organizations.  In short, his past includes a lengthy stint as a “Christian Leader.”             
     Many saw this ad as an attack on Mitt Romney’s Mormonism?  But if that’s the attack he wanted to make on Romney, it’s was an awful weak one.  After all, Romney claims to be a Christian too, doesn’t he?  People are reading way too much into all of these commercials.  There was a time in our country when words like “Christian”, “Christmas”, and “Cross” weren’t considered so scandalous.  But times, they are a changin.’           
     Mike Huckabee is not a perfect candidate, but he is a good one.  The number one issue for Conservatives SHOULD BE abortion.  It’s not the top issue for most of them, BUT IT SHOULD BE.  Murdering babies should trump any other issue.  Huckabee believes Roe vs. Wade should be overturned and abortion should be banned in America.  Giuliani supports abortion rights.  Romney supports whatever will get him elected.  Fred Thompson and John McCain oppose abortion but want to make it a “State’s Rights” issue (kind of like slavery during the Civil War???).  Saying abortion’s validity should be up to the states is the ultimate cop out in my opinion.  It’s a way for a conservative to “have his cake and eat it too.”  It’s a way of saying, “Yeah I don’t want babies killed in my state, but if you cross the state line, then hack away at the fetuses if that state will allow it.”  Abortion should be banned on the federal level, just like every other form of murder.  But alas, that’s a blog for another day. Here’s the point of this blog…..  

It’s not a crime to be a Christian in America…even if you’re running for President of the United States.  Mike Huckabee has been a born again Christian since he was a boy.  He went to Bible College and became a Southern Baptist Pastor.  When he entered politics, he didn’t drop his Christian identity in order to get elected.  And if he did so today in an effort to get elected President I would whole-heartedly oppose him.  On the contrary, he has continued to be a “Christian” voice in a political world that desperately needs it.  For that, he can expect to be verbally “tarred and feathered” by a hostile liberal media, overly sensitive non-Christians, and conservative political opponents that want to see him lose.  When it’s all said and done, Americans will decide at the ballot box. Are vocal Christians still allowed a voice in America? One thing we know, they ARE allowed a “vote” in America.  It will be interesting to see how it all turns out in the coming weeks and months.  And with that, I wish you all a very, very….Merry CHRISTMAS!  (Oops, I used that “C” word again)….and a Happy New Year!