At Obama's first press conference yesterday as the president-elect, when asked about the puppy he had promised his kids (who have allergies and thus limits the breed options), he said: "Our preference would be to get a shelter dog. But a lot of shelter dogs are mutts, like me."
I'm not sure if that means he will or he won't adopt a shelter dog but it was a good line nevertheless.
Obama added: "With respect to the dog, this is a major issue. I think it's generated more interest on our Web site than just about anything."
Saturday, November 8, 2008
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6 comments:
I have seen Obama's comment reported slightly differently, as "I should go to a shelter and get a mutt like me." I think it's clear that the Obamas are on the side of the angels on this issue.
I think his comment did what great politicians have always done and will continue to do. Ask the people to do one thing but as for them and their house - they will continue to do whatever they wish. Any dog lover knows, and any other who has been researching as the Obama's have been, there are countless rescue organizations for pure bred dogs, especially semi hypo allergenic dogs like Poodles and Bichon Frises. Sorry for the run on sentence but this comment really got me worked up as an example of his ability to get around the truth. Here is how my truth detector interpreted the comment:
I know that my fan club expects me to rescue a dog, but lets get real, my perfect little girls deserve a perfect little puppy to raise and mold as they see fit.
Marc, you may be right but I hope you're wrong. The amount of good set by the example of the Obamas adopting a shelter dog would be immeasurable. And politically, I imagine it would go a long way to tempering his "elitist" image.
I hope I am wrong too but I could hear the set up in his tone. Just like he deferred the public / private school issue to Michelle.
I have a poodle that I adopted at 10 (2 years ago.) Well initially I was going to just keep him until I could find him a home. Poodle rescues were all booked up!
Like I said, he's a politician, nothing more, nothing less.
A Shelter Dog for the Bidens Too?
Friday, November 7, 2008 at 9:48am
Michelle Obama confirmed that the family would adopt a rescue dog. PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk has written to the Bidens to bring another rescue dog to Washington as another example for all Americans to follow.
PETA
Great news. I see an Oprah espisode on this coming up. I hope they PR this 'til we're all sick of hearing about it. By that point the message may finally infiltrate the skulls of those who still think shelter dogs are second rate.
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