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 ...
Ping!
"Where's the puppy?"
kerry had a dog, 'VC', it could "fly" from Swift boat to Swift boat!
"Yes, I'm from Boston, but I'm voting for Bush."
It could probably windsurf too. Ha Ha
Smart dog.
Kerry doesn't like Dog's?
He is really in bad shape then.
He has a dog named cym, a German shepard.
Dolls!
We don't have any at home but we have three darling, adorable grandpup-poos.
My world is filled with tiny creatures, two-legged and four.
Trained to guard his medals, ribbons and citations I am sure.
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.
LOL
Probably not his dog really. Just like the SUV belongs to the family not to him.
He's got the same 5 o'clock shadow that made Nixon so scary,mistrusted.
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.
Plus, he had the fire hydrant removed from the sidewalk of his Boston home. What kind of a dog person would do that?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.