This morning on Fox and Friends, Ron Paul was asked for his impression of the Mike Huckabee ad running in Iowa, in which a window pane behind Huckabee resembles a Christian cross. Paul responded by quoting Sinclair Lewis, saying "When Fascism comes to this country, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross".

Kinda harsh, no? Is Paul implying that Huckabee is a fascist?

YouTube Link

www.youtube.com...
www.newsandpolicy.com...



[edit on 18-12-2007 by jsobecky]

TO Ron Paul, everyone but Ron Paul is a Fascist. And if you give him a few thousand dollars, he'll probably call himself one, too.

However, he's actually correct in this case. Using religion as a political tool is a step in that direction. And in my opinion, cleapens both religion and the political system, to boot.

I'd be much more wary of somebody who looks at an innocent, well-wishing ad and screams "Fascism!" than I would be of the person who dares to wish us a Merry Christmas.

An overreaction like that reveals a lot about a person's (lack of) character.

For those interested in the "offensive" Huckabee ad, here it is:

YouTube Link

election.newsmax.com...

reply to post by jsobecky

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So what do you think about the character of those who play Christianity for cheap political points? 'Cause really, that's what Huckleberry is doing here.

Now, I wouldn't call Huckabee any more of a fascist than any of the other Republican candidates - take that as you will - but Paul's right, this is just a stunt on hte guy's part to plant the flag to claim Baby Jesus as his own.

I think the ad was tastefully done and I watched it before on youtube but didnt actually notice the cross until I saw the media make a ruckus about it. If its a christmas message what better symbol to be present within it? Is he supposed to come out with some voyeur cam from his basement ?

Perhaps if he had held up a Koran and an Ak-47 with a balaclava on people who not pay attention to the furniture in the background and look at the person talking.

This is silly crap that media is digging up. He doesnt say "Vote for me, I'm christian!" . He says "Merry Christmas".

Ron Paul is a crazy bat! Apparently, anybody who doesnt worship him is either a "neo-con" or a Fascist or a liberal. He wants to go back living like 1776, let him go and good riddance , I sure as hell dont want to!

[edit on 18-12-2007 by IAF101]

I seen the Ron Paul interview and I wouldn't call it lashing out that's a bit over exaggerated, now asking him to answer questions with a one word answer was ridiculous and unprofessional. I think they tried to make him look like a fool but it backfired and it made them look foolish. fox news always seems to have an agenda against the people they disagree with.

reply to post by UScitizen

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Huh? He was merely asked what he thought of the ad. Imo, Paul is the person that overreacted. He could have handled it much lower-key.

Perhps he is afraid of religion?

reply to post by The Walking Fox

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Sez you. RP shows his insecurity and defensiveness with his answer. Of all the responses to the question posed to him, he managed to use the one that made him come out looking like a cornered skunk.



Riiiiight.

[edit on 19-12-2007 by jsobecky]

So did you ask your question in the first post - "kind of harsh, no?" - as an actual question asking for response, or as a statement of fact with the incorrect punctuation?

Of course, the more Republicans gnaw at each other, the happier a Yule I'll be having. Especially if it makes that nutbar Ron Paul smell like yesterday's fish.



Welcome to the big wide world of politics, honey. It's all dishonesty and cynicism with these guys. What Huckabee is saying is "I'm the only candidate with an ad wishing you a happy Jesus-day. Anyone else who does so is just mooching off my initiative to court your vote on religion"

Know how you can tell? Rather than just a commercial wishing for people to have a merry Christmas (Which is, as we all know, the absolute one and only holiday anyone ever celebrates in America, period) this is a political ad, displaying his campaign website, paid for by "Huckabee for President, Inc." In other words, he is using campaign funds for this commercial. It's thus an admitted part of his campaign strategy.

To me, it seemed like Ron Paul was asked what he thought of using religion for political purposes (having the cross in the background). He used a quote referencing the use of religion for political purposes (fascism), but then said "I don't know if thats a fair assessment or not", showing that it was not necessarily his opinion. I don't consider it overreacting, and I don't think Ron Paul was calling Huckabee a fascist.

The one word answer comment posted earlier by somebody was referring to a later part of the interview. Ron Paul was asked what he thought of certain issues and he was told to give one word answers.

[edit on 19-12-2007 by AlienS]

I don't find Paul's response disturbing in the least bit. Religion is not a tool to be used by those seeking the office of the President. Huckabee's ad and the placement of the "cross" was obviously thought out beforehand. What I DO find disturbing was Huckabee's response to the ad flap when he supposedly jokingly said "yeah, and if you play it backwards it says Paul is dead, Paul is dead, Paul is dead...

Now is he refering to the backwards Beatles album (not all of you will know what I'm talking about) or was he refering to Ron Paul?

Freudian slip anyone?

I saw the ad in question. There were some white bookshelves in the background which MIGHT be taken for a cross. Subliminal advertising? They looked like bookshelves to me. There was also a very visible Christmas tree, which nobody takes exception to. I'm not a Huckabee supporter, but it seems to me this is a tempest in a teapot. Like Ron Paul, I believe in the separation of church and state, but this is an overreaction.

reply to post by The Walking Fox

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I think the final word in that statement makes your question unnecessary.


"Honey"? Others may think of you as a fox, but I'm not interested. Some of my lady friends have a jealous streak.


My God, you are paranoid. Even if what you say is true, SO WHAT? Did he break any laws? Or are you just jealous that you candidate didn't think of the ad first?

Between now and New Years, you'll hear every candidate wishing the public a happy holiday in one sense or another. And you won't hear Huckabee crying foul when they do, either.

reply to post by ElectRon41

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Sure it is, if you break no laws and the public lets you get away with it.


Good pickup! I hadn't heard about that. But I doubt he was referring to RP, because a) he's not that clever and b) That would be a real bad political move.

Then again, he doesn't see like an ex-hippy to me, either. So I'm guessing the response was scripted by one of his staff.

I'm surprised that Huckabee didn't mention his Holiday Tax in his ad. It would have been a great time to start pushing it ... along with a carbon tax, oxygen tax and life tax (to go along with the death tax). But, don't worry, these won't be including the "Fair Tax". This will be one in itself.

One never knows. And it seems to me as though the only response you want is agreement with your position.



Well, it actually has nothing to do with the common usage of the word "fox"...



Not paranoid. I just know how this works. And I have to wonder, why are you assuming I've become personally invested in this? "My" candidate wouldn't have to stoop to it, because a Democratic win is pretty much guaranteed this presidential cycle.

Where did I say it was illegal? now you're just making stuff up to attribute to me. Tacky? Sure. Illegal? Not at all.



I look forward to Huckabee's Kwanzaa ad.

And I look forward to him celebrating Ramadan.

reply to post by jsobecky

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That Huckabee advertisement was certainly well scripted, well designed and well polished but conversely you get that uneasy feeling from watching it - the same feeling you get when you talk to a salesman at the used car garage who is to convince you into buying an 'old banger'.

I think Ron's statement on the advert did convey his true and honest opinion that he thought that this type of salesman style selling, in particular selling religion was cheap and somewhat patronising to the viewer although he wasn't given time to elucidate on what he said about the fascism quotation.

Ron Paul explains "fascism" on MTP

YouTube Link

He was responding the question, not the video he hadn’t seen. Having seen the add, he does not believe it represented fascism in the form of a cross.