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'When Fascism Comes to This Country, It Will Be Wrapped in the Flag Carrying a Cross'
December 19, 2007 8:48 AM
Greetings from Des Moines!
Last night on World News we took a look at Rudy Giuliani's absence from these early states. Read about it HERE or watch our report HERE.
In other news...
Asked what he thought about Mike Huckabee's Christmas message TV ad in which he invokes Christ and a bookshelf behind him forms a cross, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, told Fox & Friends "I haven't thought about it completely but, you know, it reminds me of what Sinclair Lewis once said. He said, 'When fascism comes to this country, it will be wrapped in the flag carrying a cross.' Well, I don't know whether that's a fair assessment or not, but you wonder about using a cross like he is the only Christian or implying that subtly. So, I don't think I would ever use anything like that."
Giuliani, on the other hand, has made a Christmas message web video ad of his own, in which he spoofs Huckabee a touch, saying because he's so busy campaigning he's getting everybody the same gift. "A safe America, lower taxes, secure borders, job growth, fiscal discipline, strict constructionist judges, and probably, I don’t know, a fruitcake or something."
What do you think of Paul's reaction? Rudy's ad?
-- jpt
December 19, 2007 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (36)
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That wasn't Paul's reaction to the commercial. When interviewed by Tim Russert on Meet the Press, Paul said Fox and Friends had "caught him cold" - he hadn't seen the commercial before they asked him. But they mentioned the cross and a possible hidden message and asked him what he thought about it, and he recited Sinclair's quote. No biggie. Paul didn't even mention Huckabee's name on Fox and Friends. He didn't say: "Huckabee represents/supports fascism." So much for the "political punch".
But if you show the commercial and then show what Paul said when asked about it (like Bill O'Reilly did on 'The Factor'), it looks, to the layman, like he actually does think Huckabee would bring about fascism. But why is ABC News trying to smear Paul? Maybe they think he has a chance?
Posted by: Jeff | Jan 8, 2008 4:51:00 PM
What I'd like to know is where are the comments about the ad from other GOP Presidential candidates?
I doubt anyone else would be intelligent enough to come up with something as dead on as what Ron Paul has said.
Posted by: Wesley | Dec 24, 2007 9:37:05 AM
I am from Arkansas. Mike Huckabee is a crafty weasel who would march everyone of us to FEMA concentration camp if the military/industrial complex told him too. And from what I am hearing they just might. Ask Mike about his "Aesis" computer software purchase from Germany for the State of Arkansas. What a nightmare that turned out to be. Ask Mike about his combining the Arkansas Department of Health with the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The current Governor has had to undo that one and put it back to the way it was before. To all of you Iowan religous sheep a warning: Be very careful when/if voting for Mike. The jobs you lose could be your own.
Posted by: Ralph | Dec 21, 2007 4:00:46 PM
Look at the ad from a production standpoint:
First, you don't spend thousands of dollars to produce an ad without every aspect of the imagery in the ad being placed under tight scrutiny. From a production standpoint, look at the soft lighting of Huckabee's face in relation to the brighter lighting in the background. These two lighting choices mean that a specific individual set the tone and location of the lighting source. The director of the ad placed Huckabee in a very specific location in relation to these two specific lighting choices.
A few questions come to mind: First, why would they intentionally focus the brighter light in the background on a bookshelf with NO books on it? Also, why would they specifically place Christmas ornaments on the empty bookshelf? Finally,why would the director of the ad specifically place Huckabee in a position that made the book shelf resemble a cross?
With so few images in the ad, I find it extremely hard to believe that it was "accidental." Huckabee was pandering, and his campaign's response that it was "accidental" is a flat out lie. I don't have a problem with being Christian, but haven't we had enough of the lying sort?
Posted by: PaddyFatHands | Dec 21, 2007 1:33:10 PM
“Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6).
Huckabee wears his religion like a flamboyant feather cap showing off... Ron Paul LIVES it... Save the Republic and our constitution from the neo-con CFR war mongers.
Posted by: Greg | Dec 21, 2007 10:42:30 AM
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.
Posted by: fxs | Dec 20, 2007 7:58:43 PM
So what is it exactlty that puts Soooo much fear in your little lives about Christians? What could the big bad Christian spouting his venomous rhetoric do to all of your lives? Love you. Help the needy. Throw a deadly fruit basket at yall. No. It's scarier than that isn't it. They might get a voice in THEIR own country that they built. I KNEW it was something evil and diobolical. I mean they haven't done nothing but build the most powerful nation on this planet. The Salvation army helps millions. Are you afraid they are going to teach you manners or maybe even ask you if you want to be baptized. Ooooooo Scary stuff. You must ALL FLEE. They are after you....RUN!!!!You Bunch of idiots. You couldn't run this country if you had instruction supplied to you. You worry about getting that baby killing crap through. You idiots surely can't do it. And to prove it, look at the Iraq surge. General PETRAEUS was RIGHT. Come on little liberals...Say it with me...BUSH AND PETRAEUS was RIGHT. Ha Ha Ha All I heard from the democrats was RUN FROM IRAQ. We can't WIN. BUSH is killing our BOYZ. I have not seen an American death come across the screen in 2 months. What happened? They stopped getting killed. What happened? Could it be we have learned urban warfare? This is the kind of people you want to run this country? PaLEESE. I don't think so. Yall are wrong and you have ALWAYS been wrong. Jesus! forgive their little hearts. They are a pitiful lot. God bless them all.
Posted by: James Blackledge | Dec 20, 2007 6:15:24 PM
I think it's dispicable that little ronnie would stoop to calling other candidates facists. I also find it hilarious that his own jackboots have spent millions and millions of dollars, wasting it on such things as a balloon, and in return they get-wow!-almost 5% in the polls. paul will neer be anything but a curiosity on page 6C of political history.
Posted by: WV4Huckabee | Dec 20, 2007 8:18:34 AM
Jake -
I hope you're reading all these sentiments and are getting a sense of how people feel when politicians try to mix politics and religion.
Next time you're on This Week or World News, I'd like to see you read some of these responses on the air.
Thanks -
Posted by: brad | Dec 19, 2007 5:42:29 PM
I agree with the posters who found Huckabee's ad off-putting. I'm a Christian myself, (and a Constitutionalist besides)and it bugged me. The founding fathers had the good sense to create a division between church and state, and I'm never comfortable with those who frame political positions in an overtly religeous context. It's like the bogus "Family values" posturing. Who's family? Candidates for president can say merry christmas without making it a political statement, they just have to have the class to know how.
Posted by: Fred | Dec 19, 2007 4:01:45 PM
Another reason to vote for Ron Paul - you know he won't be cramming religion down our throats.
Posted by: Forrest | Dec 19, 2007 2:11:45 PM
My speakers are broken so I didn't get the full effect of Huckabee's message. Even so, the cross was a not so subtle cheap shot for a vote. They even managed to give him a halo at the end. My worry with this man of no foreign policy experience is that he'll go on a holy crusade, with backing from those who feed off ads like this, and nuke Iran or some other foolhardy holy mission.
Posted by: j. sharp | Dec 19, 2007 2:11:05 PM
I think that Dr. Paul got it right. We've had too many cross carrying flag wavers decieve us before for the benefit of the special few.
I'm as wary of any candidate that wears their faith on their sleeve as I am of one that says it won't influence their judgement. When you have candidates that do both, well, you figure that one out.
Posted by: Jeff | Dec 19, 2007 1:56:19 PM
What ever happens to Ron Paul in the elections is speculation at this point, but one thing is for sure, I have learned a lot about history and economics in the last 6 months, and it has opened my eyes. I will be voting for Ron Paul, and no I was not polled as I voted Democrat last go round.
Posted by: andy | Dec 19, 2007 1:34:57 PM
I am already a Ron Paul supporter, so I may not give others a fair hearing, but this type of statement is why I started supporting Paul in the first place. I don't mind any person having a religion, but I don't want their religious beliefs governing my life. Politicians are the last people who should decide morality and ethics! I view Huckabee as a one issue politician: elect my religion! I am not sure which is worse, choosing between Clinton and Giuliani, or Clinton and Huckabee! God help us all!
Posted by: Virgil | Dec 19, 2007 1:04:48 PM
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.
Posted by: Dr Coles | Dec 19, 2007 11:32:49 AM
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. Since he is relying on Chuck Norris so heavily, maybe he should change his name to Chuckabee.
Posted by: Keith | Dec 19, 2007 11:28:56 AM
Once again, Dr. Paul was right on the money with this quote. It truly amazes me how well read he is on history, economics, foreign policy, social policy, etc. He would absolutely own any other candidate (R or D) in a one on one debate. He will be the next President of the United States.
Posted by: Natalie | Dec 19, 2007 10:55:59 AM
I don't think it's much of a secret that the GOP is still hell-bent on bombing Iran. Huckabee is an ideal frontman for the job. He's slick with a delivery and a one-liner at the ready. A Christian cross is also being fronted by Huckabee for an eventual second illegal invasion/bombardment.
Posted by: Gene | Dec 19, 2007 10:28:29 AM
billwisonsin wrote:
"I like Ron Paul on some issues....but....We had enough politicians from Texas to last several lifetimes!!!No more Texas politics."
Now that's great logic to decide who, or who not, to vote for - where they live. That's what's wrong with this country.
It's good to know my president is being chosen by people who only look at what zip code someone lives in on whether to vote for them or not.
Good grief, no wonder this country is going down the toilet...
Posted by: J Bradford | Dec 19, 2007 10:19:22 AM
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