One reason that latest Huckabee ad – “What Really Matters” – will prove effective: Exiting from the elevator this morning, a woman said: “Happy Holidays.” I didn’t know her, but the words she spoke registered with me, and negatively so, since I don’t like the pluralizing of Christmas that has people uttering “Happy Holidays” all the time around this time of year. I’m hardly alone, and this is where Huckabee’s ad hits home. He says, “Merry Christmas.” He actually mentions “the birth of Christ.” He’s not defensive about using these words. On the other hand, he doesn’t use them to take on, say, those bent on expelling even trace elements of religion from the public square. (Huckabee often tells audiences that he’s not “mad” about anything, and manifestly he’s not mad or upset in this ad.) My sense is that the ad will help Huckabee with people tired of “Happy Holidays.” Now whether Christmas is something so to be used in a political ad … that’s a question for the candidate and his conscience.
