Posted on 06/24/2004 6:32:23 AM PDT by veronica
Doris Day chatted with President George W. Bush about their mutual love of dogs when he phoned to congratulate the iconic performer and animal welfare advocate on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. The Prez told Doris that he's an animal person, and talked about his Scottish terrier Barney and about the critters on his ranch.
And then Day advised the president that he'd get more votes if he'd quit hunting.
She tells us that her sentiments about Bush's hunting won't stop her from voting for him. "I'm pulling for him every step of the way," she makes clear.
Day, who starred with Ronald Reagan in two films, remained friends with the Gipper through his presidency. Like him, she switched from Democrat to staunch Republican - part of a Hollywood social set she recalls including Jimmy and Gloria Stewart, George Burns and Gracie Allen, and Jack and Mary Benny.
She remembers once quizzing Reagan as to what he'd done with his giant sheep dog, Lucky, who had disappeared from the White House. Reagan sent her a photo of Lucky at the wheel of an old red Jeep full of dogs on his California ranch with the message, "Look who's in the driver's seat." She says Reagan's recent death was hard to take.
Day, who turned 80 in April and who does not travel by air, opted to stay home in Carmel when the Medal of Freedom presentations were made Wednesday. Still, she's deeply affected. She broke into tears when talking with us about the honor. "To come from Cincinnati, Ohio, for God's sake, then to go to Hollywood, and to get this kind of a tribute from my country ... I love this country so much ..."
Asked whether she'd ever act again, the top box-office movie actress of her time says, "You never know. It's up to God. If I were meant to, I'd be led to it. I pray about everything that comes to me. That way I don't have any hassles in my mind."
She was great a comedy and had some really good movies. Is she still a christian scientist?
Doris Day's mother and my grandmother were friends in Cinti. I have always liked DD...glad she's a Repubican!
Doris Day and my Great Aunt were good friends, united in animal causes. Glad to see someone with a big heart and common sense.
Singer, actress, comedienne, patriot.
Irony! Read my post!
Doris Day ping!
Doris Day. Still a class act.
Three Degrees of Separation!!
That sounds good to me, Doris. And I'm pulling for you every step of the way!
I adore Doris Day.
I only own about 3-4 movies and two of them are hers including Send Me No Flowers with James Garner.
Advises to get more votes by NOT hunting but will vote for and support him anyway.
I respect her choices as long as she doesn't get stupid about it - ala PETA.
I loved her sitcom when I was a kid! IIRC, it was on CBS at 9:30 on Monday nights. I used to beg my mother to let me stay up and watch it. Since she loved Doris Day, she usually let me.
What a wonderful person; so glad she received this special tribute. And really glad that she is a Republican!
Thank you for the ping!
Doris Day? Wasn't she a 'main squeeze' of Rock Hudson's?
She's one of my all-time favs. I love her singing, her acting, her all-American persona.
Midnight Lace, I think.
That was a good movie.
As far as I know, Doris Day has always been a Presbyterian.....
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