Huckabee Endorses McCain in New Ad

The McCain Campaign has put out an amusing new ad called “Trust Huckabee,” which takes excerpts of Mike Huckabee saying nice things about McCain, many presumably out of context.

CHYRON: Supporters of Mike Huckabee are attacking John McCain.

CHYRON: What does Mike Huckabee say about John McCain?

GOVERNOR MIKE HUCKABEE: Senator McCain, no matter what anyone may say, is a genuine conservative.

HUCKABEE: John McCain is a hero in this country. He’s a hero to me.

HUCKABEE: If you look at his record, he’s got a solid record on things that really matter. He’s pro-life, he’s strong for our country’s defense and security.

HUCKABEE: John McCain is a true, honest-to-God American hero.

CHYRON: If you want the truth about John McCain, just ask Mike Huckabee.

JOHN MCCAIN: I’m John McCain and I approve this message.

I especially love the last line. I know that it’s mandated by law (one, incidentally, that McCain co-sponsored and that I continue to think blatantly unconstitutional, the Supreme Court’s ruling notwithstanding) but it’s amusing for a candidate to “approve” of a message saying what a swell guy he is.

I’m sure this ad concept — cherry picking nice statements made by one’s opponent — isn’t new but it’s a good one. It’s a bit unfair, of course, since I’m sure a lot of these were followed by a “but he’d make a bad president for reasons X, Y, and Z,” but hardly outside the realm of a spirited campaign.

FILED UNDER: 2008 Election, Supreme Court, Uncategorized, US Constitution, , , ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.