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PET ISSUES Kerry gets bitten by a survey of dog owners
Opinion Journal Online ^ | August 31, 2004 | BRENDAN MINITER

Posted on 08/31/2004 12:37:54 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife

.........Beyond being just good fun, the poll results hint at a more serious political issue: trust and likablity. And while this is the first year the American Kennel Club conducted the poll, dogs have a long pedigree in American politics. Desperate to bolster his family credentials after the Monica-sex-scandal, Bill Clinton ran out and got Buddy, a chocolate Lab--the breed that polls indicated was the most beloved family dog. In 1952 vice presidential nominee Richard Nixon faced accusations of improperly accepting money for political expenses. Nixon defused the issue in a nationally televised speech by claiming the only improper gift he received was a puppy: "We did get something, a gift, after the election. . . . It was a little cocker spaniel. . . . Our little girl, Tricia, the 6-year-old, named it Checkers. . . . I just want to say this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we're gonna keep it."

Politicians have probably always known the value of reaching voters through their pets, so nearly every president has kept an animal in the White House. Some were not so lovable, such as the Hardings' opossums or William Howard Taft's Pauline, the last cow to live in the White House. For his part, Mr. Bush is clearly a dog lover and is confident enough in his manhood to be seen carrying Barney, his Scottish terrier. He also had a springer spaniel named Spot, who died recently at age 15 and was the only dog to live in the White House during two different administrations. .........

(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: dogowners; kerry; loyalty
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1 posted on 08/31/2004 12:37:54 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: HairOfTheDog

Ping!


2 posted on 08/31/2004 12:41:04 AM PDT by Flyer (I will never reference my tag line in my posts)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

"Where's the puppy?"

3 posted on 08/31/2004 12:47:32 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler ("Lieutenant Ricebottom reporting for duty.")
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

kerry had a dog, 'VC', it could "fly" from Swift boat to Swift boat!


4 posted on 08/31/2004 12:50:41 AM PDT by JMJJR (In memory of Buddy Clinton.)
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To: Jeff Chandler

"Yes, I'm from Boston, but I'm voting for Bush."

5 posted on 08/31/2004 12:51:36 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler ("Lieutenant Ricebottom reporting for duty.")
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To: Jeff Chandler
A cutie for a cutie.


6 posted on 08/31/2004 12:53:22 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: JMJJR
kerry had a dog, 'VC', it could "fly" from Swift boat to Swift boat!

It could probably windsurf too. Ha Ha

7 posted on 08/31/2004 12:54:15 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Jeff Chandler

Smart dog.


8 posted on 08/31/2004 12:54:33 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
I'll see your cutie and raise you two


9 posted on 08/31/2004 12:55:52 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler ("Lieutenant Ricebottom reporting for duty.")
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Kerry doesn't like Dog's?

He is really in bad shape then.


10 posted on 08/31/2004 1:00:49 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (A Proud member of Free Republic ~~The New Face of the Fourth Estate since 1996.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

He has a dog named cym, a German shepard.


11 posted on 08/31/2004 1:13:38 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Jeff Chandler

Dolls!

We don't have any at home but we have three darling, adorable grandpup-poos.


12 posted on 08/31/2004 1:14:41 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

My world is filled with tiny creatures, two-legged and four.


13 posted on 08/31/2004 1:17:09 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler ("Lieutenant Ricebottom reporting for duty.")
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Trained to guard his medals, ribbons and citations I am sure.


14 posted on 08/31/2004 1:17:16 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (A Proud member of Free Republic ~~The New Face of the Fourth Estate since 1996.)
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To: Jeff Chandler
I'll see your cutie and raise you two



Hmmmm, Fingerfood.
15 posted on 08/31/2004 1:33:54 AM PDT by Belisaurius ("Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, Ted" - Joseph Kennedy 1958)
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To: Jeff Chandler

Ours was too.

Our daugthers are married and we have one grandchild.

We have to be able to travel and I just can't stand to leave the four legged loves alone. So we've chosen (for now) to be pet-less and get our quota of doggie love when we visit our daughters.


16 posted on 08/31/2004 2:24:36 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

LOL

Probably not his dog really. Just like the SUV belongs to the family not to him.


17 posted on 08/31/2004 2:25:33 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

He's got the same 5 o'clock shadow that made Nixon so scary,mistrusted.


18 posted on 08/31/2004 3:03:25 AM PDT by Finalapproach29er ({about the news media} "We'll tell you any sh** you want hear" : Howard Beale --> NETWORK)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

What kind of name for a German Shepard is "Cym"? I doubt that this dog would guard anything and still be a loving pet like my childhood dogs Rommel, Panzer, Tiger or Buster.


19 posted on 08/31/2004 3:04:17 AM PDT by woofer
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Plus, he had the fire hydrant removed from the sidewalk of his Boston home. What kind of a dog person would do that?


20 posted on 08/31/2004 4:42:27 AM PDT by binreadin
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