Secularized networks keep making mountains out of Christian-symbol molehills on the campaign trail. At CNN.com on Monday, reporter Rebecca Sinderbrand highlighted how a new Mike Huckabee ad has a Christian ichthys or fish symbol in it, on a banner for the Iowa Christian Alliance: "For the second time in two weeks, presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee has aired a commercial in which a Christian symbol appears in the background." The ad script itself talks about defending "our values" and the worth of the unborn, but mentioned religion (rights endowed by "our creator") only in passing.
On Tuesday's edition of The Situation Room, CNN reporter Mary Snow implied incorrectly that the Iowa Christian Alliance was "backing" Huckabee when it's made no endorsement. An ICA officer had to apologize for making positive comments about Mitt Romney that sounded like an endorsement. Here's what Snow reported:
SNOW: And the Republican candidates are also taking to the airwaves, launching new ads, including one that Mike Huckabee does want supporters to see. He came out with an ad showing his backing by the Iowa Christian Alliance. It's a very influential social conservative group here in the state, certainly a group that Mike Huckabee is hoping will come out and support him on caucus night. And in this ad, he's talking to the group about his opposition to abortion.
Huckabee's campaign ad team probably hoped that showing the ICA logo behind him would make it appear subliminally like an ICA endorsement (and for others, it could be just another sly Christian symbol), But it's become quite clear that Team Huckabee can count on liberal reporters to leap with alarm on any notion that any Republican would campaign with religious themes. That's a guarantee that your paid ads will get a free-media boost.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center
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Comments Policy
Does CNN have the special
January 2, 2008 - 16:22 ET by Chris NormanDoes CNN have the special glasses needed to see the subliminal Christian messages clearly?
Anti-Christian bias
January 2, 2008 - 17:08 ET by iveseenitallAnti-Christian bias in the media? What Anti-Christian bias?
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
It's not balanced, but it's news
January 3, 2008 - 10:51 ET by qapilotIt's true that a Democratic candidate can have a full-blown revival in a church, standing at the pulpit and quoting scripture, with the choir singing amens behind, and the media will not raise an eyebrow, while they'll freely express disapproval if a conservative hints at a religious message.
Still, Governor Huckabee has made religion a theme, not just confirming his faith for the voters, but walking a tricky tightrope by stating he is the "Christian" candidate while dropping hints (or allowing supporters to drop bombs) attacking his biggest competitor, Mitt Romney, regarding his Mormon faith. Thus Huckabee's repeated use of religion, and that of his supporters, is most definitely newsworthy.
While religious conservatives are a key segment of the Republican party, many other conservatives don't exactly appreciate how now they are being told for whom they should vote based on religious preferences. Promoting conservative, faith-based values will always be a winner among Republicans, but advocating a certain belief system, or excluding certain 'undesirable' believers, could very likely backfire, dividing and undermining conservatives.
I am tired of secular
January 2, 2008 - 16:58 ET by ForeverOnTheRightI am tired of secular humanist media types applying one set of standards to conservatives and another to liberals. We know full well that if a liberal candidate preached from the pulpit of a liberal church the media would give them a pass. But whoa hold on if a conservative even hints at or comes close to Christianity. In their biased prejudiced mind they fear that this is a part if some hidden agenda to establish a Theocracy. This is a “disease” similar to BDS.
Question
January 2, 2008 - 18:53 ET by Jerry MackThe medias fascination with religion indicates to me that they do not have a clue as to what religious beliefs are. If they do know what they are about then they abhor them because there is no place in their lives for them.
Uh ok?
January 2, 2008 - 19:51 ET by kerwinjrUh ok? So when did candidates have to leave their belief system at the door? Seems to me that if people showed more of what they believe in, people might actually have a better idea of what they're getting in a candidate.
Current status of "politicking in church" issue.
January 3, 2008 - 11:15 ET by RJToday, CNSNEWS.COM has an interesting and informative article on the issue. It busts some myths, includes a snapshot of the history and future, and is well worth reading.
Scroll to the second headline: IRS regulations 'muzzle pastors.'