NPR: Huckabee's Wily Christmas Campaign

Huckabee's Wily Christmas Campaign

It's a pretty wily tactic ... the Christmas ad designed to catch your political rivals completely off-guard.

And as NPR's Martin Kaste reports, it's been a particularly effective one for former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in Iowa. After former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney aired two negative ads that went after Huckabee's record in immigration and crime fighting, Huckabee did not fire back — instead, he ran a Christmas-themed ad, with heavy emphasis on its religious meaning. In the ad, Huckabee said it wasn't the time of the year for more political ads, because he knew people minds were on other things. And he just wanted to wish them Merry Christmas.

(Huckabee was not the first Republican candidate to air a Christmas-oriented ad. Rep. Ron Paul was actually first to the post. And the Democrats are getting in on the act ... just this morning, Senator Barack Obama released a 'Holiday' ad, with one of Obama's daughters wishing 'Merry Christmas' and the other 'Happy Holidays.')

Bill Hillsman, the award-winning ad man who created campaigns for independents like former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, said Huckabee's effort will stand out from the noise of other political ads, and is a preemptive strike against anyone who tried to take him down.

Romney people, for their part, say they will be respectful of the time of the year, but they will continue to bring up issues of importance to the citizens of Iowa.

9:22 AM ET | 12-19-2007 | permalink

Comments

Could Huckabee be the elusive "Compassionate Conservative" we've been hearing about for all these years?

Sent by Jay Grabow | 10:04 AM ET | 12-19-2007

Peace on Earth Good Will to Men
Except the elites, who will be dragged out into the streets and executed when the revolution comes.

Sent by Jody Sol | 1:56 PM ET | 12-19-2007

If by compassionate conservative, you mean big government, tax raising, nanny state conservative, then yes.

Sent by David | 1:58 PM ET | 12-19-2007

"Compassionate Conservative?" There isn't such a thing, so that will remain as elusive as Bigfoot or visitors from Mars. No, Huck is just another southern huckster trying to ply his snake oil on the rest of the country. Isn't it time to end southern rule?

Sent by Brian Questel | 2:19 PM ET | 12-19-2007

"Peace on Earth Good Will to Men
Except the elites, who will be dragged out into the streets and executed when the revolution comes." -Judy Sol

Probably, because apparently Americans want their country to be run complete ignoramuses, and religious madmen.

Sent by angsty | 5:32 PM ET | 12-19-2007

From AP:
"Leading in polls, Huckabee is determined to make up for his skimpy organization in the state by enlisting national evangelical Christian supporters to rev up Iowa pastors and coax voters to the Jan. 3 caucuses."

A litte TOO cozy for my taste. Sorry!

Sent by Harold | 5:36 PM ET | 12-19-2007

Huckabee needs to start dealing with the issues and stop trying to come off as the wonderful Christian man. Mitt Romney is keeping strong and that shows he is determined and dedicated to this race. I want to see that Huckabee is too.

Sent by Stacey | 3:55 PM ET | 12-20-2007

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Tom Regan

Blogger

About Us

This year's election cycle has been one of the most exciting in memory. At the NPR News Blog we'll do our best to bring you interesting, informative -- and controversial -- stories from our own reporters and bloggers, as well as the rest of the best of the Internet and blogosphere. And we hope you'll let us know what you think as well.

Want to learn more? Be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions and our discussion guidelines.