On The HUSTINGS

HUCKABEE RIFFS ON 'CHRIST' AND 'CROSS' KERFUFFLE

Michael Huckabee used a joking reference to a Beatles myth to deny that he used the image of a cross as a subliminal message in a Christmas-themed television ad.

"That was a book shelf behind me — a book shelf," Mr. Huckabee said yesterday in Houston in reference to the image of white, intersecting lines that some have suggested is a cross in the ad he released this week.

"I will confess this; if you play the spot backwards it says 'Paul is dead, Paul is dead, Paul is dead," he then quipped, according to ABC News.

That was a reference to a myth that Paul McCartney was killed in a car crash before the Beatles had broken up and was replaced in future albums and concerts. Subtle clues were inserted into the band's music for years, according to the myth.

Mr. Huckabee also defended his campaign against criticism that the use of religious imagery and the word "Christ" in the ad had gone too far. "Absolutely not," he said.

SHARP NEW MILITARY-THEMED AD FROM CLINTON

Senator Clinton is putting up a new television ad in New Hampshire that manages to convey — in a matter of 30 seconds — bipartisanship, gratefulness to the military, her commitment to health care issues, and her ability to get things done.

It's no accident that the spot, which touts her cooperation with Senator Graham of South Carolina to get health insurance coverage for National Guard members, is running in New Hampshire and not Iowa.

In the ad, Mrs. Clinton declares that she "reached across the aisle" to address the lack of coverage for some returning soldiers. In case it was not clear which aisle, she proudly notes that Mr. Graham is "a Republican."

That kind of bipartisanship has always played well in New Hampshire, particularly among independent voters who often choose to vote in one of the party primaries. How it would play in Iowa is less clear.

Caucus-goers from both parties tend to be party activists with more polarized views and less appreciation for those who cross the aisle.

EDWARDS GETS BIG HELP FROM LABOR

John Edwards is making up for his financial disadvantage in Iowa, thanks to his friends in labor. Last week, union-backed groups bought $1.1 million in radio and television time to promote Mr. Edwards in the Hawkeye State. The latest salvo is a huge purchase of $590,000 worth of ads on Iowa radio touting the former senator's health care proposals.

The newly organized Alliance for a New America told the Federal Election Commission that the money came from Service Employees International Union locals in California, Ohio, and Minnesota and from a hotel workers' local in Chicago.

ANTI-ABORTION PROTESTERS ARRESTED OUTSIDE GIULIANI OFFICE

A group of 11 anti-abortion protesters were arrested yesterday outside Mayor Giuliani's presidential campaign office in Manchester, N.H. All were charged with trespassing, police said. The group was led by a national anti-abortion activist, Randall Terry, the Associated Press reported. Mr. Terry founded the group, Operation Rescue, in Florida.

The protesters allegedly were blocking the door to the campaign office and refused to move even after police told them they would be arrested if they stayed. Mr. Giuliani supports abortion rights.

THOMPSON VAN PULLED OVER FOR SPEEDING

A Fred Thompson campaign van carrying a group of reporters was pulled over for speeding yesterday in eastern Iowa, but the driver escaped without a ticket.

The New York Times reported the van's driver received a written warning for traveling at 68 miles an hour in a 55 mph zone.

GRAVEL, DODD MISS N.Y. BALLOT

Two long-shot Democratic candidates are not on the ballot for New York's presidential primary on February 5. Senator Dodd of Connecticut and a former Alaska senator, Mike Gravel, missed the cut, Newsday reported.

Though Mr. Dodd is running an aggressive campaign in Iowa, he has not gained traction in the polls.

Mr. Gravel gained national exposure for his anti-war rants during the early Democratic debates, but he has little in the way of cash and organization.

Senator Clinton is heavily favored to win her home state in February.