In a move that many political observers might consider political suicide, Mike Huckabee actually said the word Christmas. In a holiday ad put out by his campaign for president, the Republican was filmed in front of a bookcase, that many said showed a cross in the background and coupled with the message was a subliminal message about religion. He points out the video was a last minute idea, his comments were not scripted and he is not using the background image to pander to Christian conservatives.
Huckabee lost a little bit of ground in two polls conducted last week by American Research Group, according to results posted at USAElectionPolls.com. In a poll of expected Republican voters conducted December 16 to 19, he was the favorite at 28 percent with John McCain second with 20 percent and Mitt Romney at 17 percent. A poll conducted December 20 to 23, Huckabee's lead fell to 23 percent with Romney at 21 percent and McCain at 17 percent.
In New Hampshire, Romney still holds a 28 percent lead with McCain making headway at 25 percent. Huckabee is stuck at about 10 percent but it may be Ron Paul's climb to 10 percent taking Romney supporters away, giving McCain a chance to win in the January 8 Republican primary election.
Huckabee stands by the statements mad in the campaign's holiday ads, saying he is not going after the religious conservative voters, rather is trying to appeal to all voters, and he believes that the majority of Americans still share the belief of the founding fathers.
