Huck must think everyone is stupid, and i wish he would stop with stupid one line jokes. Huck is just pandering to the bible belt, who are getting sick and tired of their religions being used as a political tool for these political hacks. Ron Paul said he would never do anything like that and that is the right approach. Vote Huck at your own peril.

Whether one approves of the cross being used or not, there are few "accidents" at this level of politics.

Anyone who looks at Mike Huckabee as a whole should instantly realize that he is using Jesus name to sell himself. No better than the Floor and Tile company in my home town running their "Jesus" add to sell their wares.

Ohh and by the way. Ron Paul ran a Christmas ad before Huckabee did......

Good Grief!

Suppose the bookshelf (or window pane, whatever) had not been there at all, and that a small wooden cross had actually been hanging on the wall. Would people be talking about it? Maybe, but I'm not sure.

I guess people are flipping out because they think it's some sort of subliminal message, but the fact that Christmas is the holiday on which the birth of Christ is celebrated is no secret.

If you think Huckabee is just trying to make himself look good to Christians in the ad, you are certainly free to have that opinion. But it's no more sinister than if he had an ad saying, "I'm Mike Huckabee and I love baseball, family reunions, and puppies."

Huckster - a seller of small articles, usually of cheap or shoddy quality, or one engaged in haggling or making petty bargains, that is, a certain type of peddler or hawker.

I think Ron Paul's comment was fair. I don't think he was implying that Huck is a facist. I think he was making the point that Huck is trying to sell himself using religion, because that is a known effective method, even if it has no place in politics. That lighting is no accident. Talk to some photographers; they know.

The parallels between Huckabee and Buzz Windrip, the populist and folksy politiician in It Can't Happen Here are striking.

Anyone who thinks that cross is just a window frame or that Huckster did not intentionally do that is ignorant and a simpleton.

Huckster is a former southern baptist tv evangelist -he knows how to advertise to his base -the bible thumpers. He is a creationist tirelessly pandering and pandering to his base - like Jesse Jackson used to pander to his black base of support.

It is downright shameful that most of the presidential campaign wraps itself up in the flag and carries a cross.

At first I thought the "cross" was a coincidence, but having done a good deal of film and TV shoots, I've learned that cameramen and lighting crews don't do anything by accident. If it was just coincidence, the lighting designer, cameraman, and director would have picked it up in rehearsal and re-lit the window.

Even Huckabee's Iowa director's defense is wrong as it obviously is not a window frame! Of course it was planned. Ron Paul's comment was also fair - this ad by Huckabee went to far to pander to the Christian vote with this "in your face" non verbal messaging. It was inappropriate and inexcusable.

To make sure Paul is not thought to be anti-christian:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22304819/

Huckabee is a Christian!!! Yeah, we get it. But what really interests me is that Ron Paul too is a man of faith. Would you ever know it!? Sure you would!!! Look at his consistent voting record, his life as a compassionate doctor, look at his life!!!

The Bible warns of those who are over-eager to brag on their faith, so take God's Word on the issue.

This election is not about religion, but Ron Paul and religion have something in common.....TRUTH!!!

To all you Christians out there....please, just as in church, do not take what you hear as truth. RESEARCH the issues yourself and be a responsible, informed voter!

You say:
"The Huckabee camp quickly said that cross in the background was unintentional."

Then you quote the campaign:
"...He said he didn't know if it was deliberate or not..."

If it was not intentional, don't you think they would know that it was not intentional. The obvious conclusion: It was intentional.

No, matter your political party affiliation, and setting aside your thoughts on issues. We all need to remember what it is to be an American Citizen. We need to make sure our elected representatives obey their Oath of Office and keep their Oath of Allegiance. See http://tinyurl.com/2znnvl Know whom you are voting for.

Huckabee said it was a bookshelf on Fox News. What is it: window frame, bookshelf, or two random pieces of wood at right angles to each other?

For me it's NOT about the Crucifix image. And there is nothing wrong with the ad. It's a fine ad..

But my problem is when Huckabees' folks were asked about it. Instead of just being HONEST (the Christian thing to do.) They overtly LIED about it (the satanic thing to do). And tried to dismiss it. When they should have said that the camera man thought it would be a nice touch given the holiday message. Even Hucakbee himself refused to answer openly and honestly. Instead he made light of it and is hoping it will just go away.

Huckabee's reply is insufficient. Of course, he has the right to wish Americans a Merry Christmas. However, if he wants to do that, he should do so on his own time and with his own money. This is a political ad paid for with political money, and should not be used for religious purposes. This ad is a travesty of the values upon which this country was founded.

"Ron Paul quickly criticized the spot saying:"

He was asked what he thought of it. There isn't even much indication that he actually saw the spot before the FOX news talking head asked him about it. He was merely asked what he thought about religion in political ads.

I just saw the Huckster on MSNBC do his usual sick one line joke to trivialize this issue. The main issue is that he LIED and his campaign LIED. I am a Christian and I don't like my religion being used as a political tool, and I especially do not like being LIED to in the process.

Faux News asked him about the ad that he hadn't seen. He didn't accuse the Huckster of playing the religious card, rather he was responding to the idiots at Faux News ridiculous question. Then MSM extracts a sound bite and makes a big deal out of the whole thing.

It really is just another case of journalistic malpractice by MSM. Nothing more; nothing less.

They should have just admitted it was intentional instead of lying about it. It is so obvious. Wow, they think we are stupid.

I clearly see the camera slow down as the image comes into view. There is no way that wasn't intended. All that Huckabee talks about is his faith it shouldn't surprise anyone that he's using that as his soapbox to stand on. Well I guess since he can't stand on his horrible tax position from Arkansas, or his accepting hundreds of thousands as gifts from his constituents and even a businessman who then won a bid to build a stadium, or the urging of parole board members - who have been interviewed as saying Huck lobbied aggressively to release a murderer and rapist, which he "refutes" - and one such ex-con went on to rape and murder again. I guess since these judgments he can't really stand on the cross is his only hope. Though that he were more devout to actually try to save his soul rather than bury it further.

I clearly see the camera slow down as the image comes into view. There is no way that wasn't intended. All that Huckabee talks about is his faith and it shouldn't surprise anyone that he's using that as his soapbox to stand on. Well I guess since he can't stand on his horrible tax position from Arkansas, or his accepting hundreds of thousands as gifts from his constituents and even a businessman who then won a bid to build a stadium, or the urging of parole board members - who have been interviewed as saying Huck lobbied aggressively to release a murderer and rapist, which he "refutes" and one such ex-con went on to rape and murder again. I guess since these judgments that he can't really stand on the cross is his only hope. Though that he were more devout to actually try to save his soul rather than bury it further.

There is no way that fascist could ever compete with Ron Paul.

And don't say "random telephone polls" cause i haven't seen any visible support for the man.

Ron Paul didn't call Huckabee a fascist.

He warned people to beware of people waving the flag and cross while attempting to control aspects of your life that should be yours. I believe his caution on Huckabee was accurate and prescient.
He should, however, have went all the way and called Huckabee a fascist - because he is.* For that matter, so is every other candidate.

Dr. Paul is the only candidate running in either party that believes YOU, as an individual, have first claim to the fruits of your labor, your beliefs and your abilities so long as they do not infringe on the rights of another individual.*

All the other candidates believe that you have an obligated "civic duty" to subscribe to someone else's agenda (namely their friends or 'creditors'), lest you be punished for it. No other candidate believes that you can make your own way in life.
I really applaud Ron Paul for keeping his head up through all this. He is an example of the indignant assaults heaped on people with real beliefs. I would think Christians can relate to this, being that the faith is based entirely on personal responsibility for your free will.

Looks at their records. Huckabee is the guy who will TELL you to be a Christian.
Ron Paul has been a Christian in the truest sense. He has not forced his neighbors into sharing his beliefs, and he has an outstanding record of giving alms to the poor in the form of free medical treatment.

I hope the "Jesus pageant" ends soon. People that read the bible should know that claiming to know Jesus and emulating Him are two different things entirely. If you'll notice Ron Paul has not used the Lord's name in vain even once in this campaign, and that's a credit to the man's integrity and faith.
We're still here for you Dr. Paul. Best of luck to you, sir. Keep fighting.

* Refer to what fascism is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism