Light versus Darkness

Political campaigns for time eternal have been ugly affairs. The earliest victims are usually truth, honor, and decency. That said, it is often the case that even given the ugly nature of American politics, stark differences between candidates in some races do emerge. One such fault line in our current presidential contest can be seen in the players of Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee.

Obama gave a speech in Atlanta last Sunday at the home church of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was a masterpiece, moving in text, much less when actually heard. It spoke to what should be humanity's ideals and prodded those in attendance, the African-American community at large, and the greater community of America beyond to both live up to and to fight for those ideals. In presenting his ideas, Obama did not limit himself to topics that he knew would be safe in that environment, to ideas with which his entire audience would agree. Instead, he challenged them to fight against anti-gay and anti-Semitic forces and not to harbor such ill beliefs in their own hearts.

In complete contrast to the hopeful speech of Obama came words from Mike Huckabee while campaigning in Sough Carolina. The issue was the use of the Confederate flag within the South Carolina state flag.

"You don't like people from outside the state coming in and telling you what to do with your flag," Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, told supporters Thursday in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

"In fact, if somebody came to Arkansas and told us what to do with our flag, we'd tell 'em what to do with the pole, that's what we'd do," Huckabee said.

Indeed, the candidate made no mention of his own views on the subject, no mention of how he feels about the overt defense of both the slave-owning and segregationist South that this symbol represents. That in itself speaks volumes about this man's supposed morality. (I also liked the "pole" reference from a Southern Baptist Minister. Sheesh.) In response to Huckabee's words, the right-wing "Americans for the Preservation of American Culture" began running pro-Huckabee TV ads. To date, I know of no way in which Huckabee has distanced himself from these ads, although that would be difficult to do since they merely tout his own language. Still, the group itself is horrid, racist and xenophobic to its core, whatever we're-simply-pro-Southern protests it puts forth. The ads were purchased to run on all South Carolina radio stations that carry Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Bill O'Reilly. Ah, one really can learn a lot about a man from the company that he keeps.

22 January 2008