Proof Hucakbee is lying about the moving cross

myself | Dec 20, 2007 | Travis McGee

[Travis McGee]

"THE TODAY SHOW"

MEREDITH VIEIRA: Let's talk about this Christmas ad, because it comes after you have taken some hits from the critics, first for calling yourself a Christian leader, then for questioning whether Mormons believe Christ and the devil were brothers, something you did apologize for.

Now in this ad you are say people should be celebrating the birth of Christ while the shape of a cross appears to take shape behind you. And that has led some to say that this is another overt religious appeal to voters. What do you say about this ad and about those criticisms?

MIKE HUCKABEE: That floating cross is a bookshelf, Meredith. We were all amused -- the production crew I think probably more than anyone, who put the spot together.

VIEIRA: So you didn't see that image when you put the spot together, that it might be confused?

HUCKABEE: Absolutely not.

---

These are movie camera "tracking dollies."

There are two reasons to use tracking dollies when directing a film. The most basic use is when following a moving subject and keeping them in the same plane. The classic use is to follow a walking actor in profile.

The other use of the tracking dolly is to move the background in a controlled way, while keeping the foreground subject in one place by simultaneiously tracking and panning the camera.

That is how the Huckabee team contrived and executed the shot, in order to move the glowing white (spotlighted) shelf/cross from the left side of the shot to behind Huckabee's head, in exactly the 30 seconds of the ad.

The use of the tracking dolly is the smoking gun, the proof that the moving cross effect was deliberate, and that Huckabee is lying about it being an unnoticed coincidence.

They didn't just come out and "find" that a tracking dolly had magically appeared on the set, and decide, "Aw shucks, why don't we stick the camera on this here funny contraption, and slide it from left to right while aiming at Mike's head, just for the heck of it."

Every aspect of this political advertisement was deliberate, down to the placement of the three ornaments on the glowing white spotlighted empty shelf.

The proof that the moving cross effect was deliberate, is the use of the tracking dolly to move the cross in the background in a perfectly controlled way.

[Cementjungle]

If a presidential candidate did not know or review the ad, he’s an incompetant boob, a snake-oil selling liar, or a former Arkansas governor.

How was he to know that a bunch of kooks would make an issue of a friggin' window behind him? If he wanted to show a cross he would have simply had a real cross behind him. Do people think that he thought that having the cross-pieces of a window there would somehow convert people to Christianity against their will or something? Sheesh people, get a grip.

[Tatze]

I think you’re reaching. That they used a tracking camera in and of itself does not prove they are lying. It is very plausible that what they expected in the background was the shelf with colored balls and the Christmas tree.

Now, with that said, I think the cross effect was intentional and they should just admit it. But to say that because they used a tracking camera “proves” they lied is just simply ridiculous!

[XenaLee]

When I first saw the ad, I thought it was rather clever. Almost subliminal in nature. But yeah, the denials or even worse.... the pleas of ignorance re: the implication behind the “bookcase” is what is going to be damaging... not to mention highly insulting to one’s intelligence.

This ad is going to backfire big time on Huck’s campaign. It’s really a shame that politicians can’t be forthcoming and honest about everything (in what alternate universe?).

I fear....that we really are in ‘deep stuff’ for the ‘08 election. I hope I’m wrong.

[reagan_fanatic]

If a preacher can lie about the cross, he will lie about ANYTHING, and make a lot of rubes and fools believe him, simply because they can't believe a "man of the gospel" would ever lie.

Then those people aren't paying much attention to their Bibles, which clearly state that all have sinned and are sinners. Lying is a sin - we've all done it, including Huckabee. I'm not supporting Huckabee nor would I vote for him, but to the best of my knowledge, the last person to walk this Earth who never lied was Jesus Christ, and that's been about 2000 years ago. Everyone else since then has.

[stephenjohnbanker]

“It does not bother me that a former preacher would use a cross as a key advertisement element.

It greatly worries me that a former preacher would use a cross as a key advertisement element, and then LIE about it.”

Huckabee lies all the time about everything!

[Checkers]

[reagan_fanatic]

Don't be a jerk. My point was not that lying should be accepted or approved, just that it's a fact and people's political affiliations do play a part in their reaction to it.

I hope you have a nice day (and that's not a lie.)

[N3WBI3]

I honestly saw a bookself when I saw the add..

[carton253]

Bite me!

[muawiyah]

Windows, bookcases, glassblock walls ~ they are all regularly used as backdrops behind all sorts of talking head and CSI type shows on TV.

Next you'll be telling us the gang at Meet the Press is actually the College of Cardinals or something:

[reagan_fanatic]

Bite yourself - I don’t know what you may be carrying.

[mylife]

if it was "just a shelf" that "just happened to be in the background," then why is it empty except for three perfectly placed Christmas ornaments?

Clever symbolism for the Trinity?

[muawiyah]

At last, someone around here (other than myself of course) who shows some evidence of having abstained from hallucinogenic shrubs, nostrums and notions today ~ yes, it was a bookshelf ~ and if you look closely at some of the more popular Hallmark card designs available (in large quantities) you will see exactly the same set up.

[CA Conservative]

The use of a tracking dolly was probably to add movement into an otherwise static spot. And back lighting is a very common technique, to give depth to the shot.

Huckabee has many faults, but this is ridiculous. If you have to stoop this low to find something to criticize, maybe I should give him another look.

[stephenjohnbanker]

“When the heat is on, instead of immediately telling the whole truth and defusing the situation, Huckabee’s instinct is to obfuscate. How Clintonesque. Huckabee is the least media savvy campaigner of all the candidates of either party, and it will be his undoing.”

Hope so, as the Huckster is dangerous.

[N3WBI3]

I just find it hilarious that some would suggest in the same spot he says ‘Christ’ he would lie about a cross... I could see how is someone wanted to they could see a cross in that but come on!

[N3WBI3]

“Except he obviously is. There is no shame in putting a cross into an ad about Christmas.”

Nor is there same in calling a book shelf for what it is..

[Southerngl]

“No Merideth,(chuckle) it’s absolutely absurd to think that just because I happen to be walking in a puddle of water it would give people the impression I am Jesus. People read too much into things nowadays and the anti-Christian hysteria is evident. See? No walking on water, just a 1/2 inch puddle that appears from nowhere while I wander about the ocean with no land in sight.”

[debboo]

If he is denying the cross actually being there, then isn’t he denying all that he supposedly stands for, which is Jesus Christ?

[Verginius Rufus]

If he’s lying about that, he’s probably also lying when he says that if you play the ad backwards, you’ll hear “Paul is dead, Paul is dead, Paul is dead.”