In obvious pitch for the pet vote, the Obamas vow to get one next year

Every White House needs a doghouse. Americans, who spend more money on their pets than many countries do on education, expect their presidents to have pets. And it's easy in the White House because there's not that many white carpets and always ample staff around to clean up after them.

President Bush and Laura Bush had Spot, who had the run of the Texas Governor's Mansion and pretty much thought he was in charge. He used to hang out under the desk in the security office, where he could monitor all the cameras and alarms that told him when to bark. Then the Bushes had Barney, a gift from former New Jersey Gov. Christie Todd Whitman. And the Clintons had a dog too, but Secret Service protection apparently didn't apply to him; he got run over in Chappaqua, N.Y.

So what are petless aspiring White House wannabes like Barack and Michelle Obama to do? They don't have a dog. This could cost them a chunk of the crucial pet vote come Nov. 4.

Petless lives may make sense for busy young urban couples in big cities such as Chicago, which has a doggie doo-doo pickup law, and especially on that city's South Side, which is known as the kind of lawless place that cheers for the White Sox.

Oh, what we'd give right now for a photo of Obama, his hand in a plastic bag, bending over the grass by the curb as his relieved dog pulled on the leash.

We can't find that one yet, so we have to settle for this thing on the right, which has nothing to do with the Obamas but is cute and likely to attract more blog readers and comments about the appropriateness/stupidity of dressing up animals like people.

Never mind meeting unconditionally with the loopy Iranian president. What's the Obama campaign's political pet solution for the Democrats' presumptive nominee? Ah-hah, that decision has some parental conditions. The Obamas' decision will be postponed until after the election.

The Obamas have reportedly promised to get their two young daughters a dog. But not before the fall election. In fact, the girls have gotta wait for their doggie until next spring (because Mommy and Daddy are hoping to have a new address by then and lots of servants).

Now our blogging colleagues over at L.A. Unleashed, thanks to The Times' Robin Abcarian, bring the waiting world word that the Obamas' future dog could well be a goofy-looking thing called a goldendoodle. No, really. You can see a picture of one and read more by clicking here.

A presidential goldendoodle?

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Wallace]

Now THAT is a very attractive dog.

Not the chihuahua in the martian outfit. I'm talking about the black-and-white stud.

[Michael Seebeck]

Hopefully Obama has the sense to send the PETA morons packing and get either a shelter rescue or a retired racing greyhound (I admit, I'm baised, I have had 5, and they are great pets, and that high elvel of publicity would be cool to see for the breed!).

Let's also hope he understands that the pet owners and animal welfare movement is large and has deep pockets, and a lot of passion for their pets, and that the animal rights idiots have no idea what they are talking about, and in fact are far crueler to animals (one of them stepped on Lassie's tail and hissed at him in Sacto a while back, for example!).

Lloyd Levine made that mistake locally and now he's a lame duck Assemblyman, and he got thrashed in his primary 2-1 because of his water-carrying for the ARistas on AB1634.

Let's hope Obama can learn from Levine's huge mistakes.

[anonymous]

For crying out loud! Try reporting facts. This isn't a pitch about anything. He promised his little girls a pet when the election is over. Little girls are now pitching for votes? Get real.

[Tom J]

I look forward to photos of Secret Service guys accompanying Malia and Sasha on their dog walks. And considering how hard a dog that size can pull on a leash, I look forward to photos of Secret Service guys calling for backup to chase down the (hunting breed cross) dog that took off after a rabbit.

The girls should get whatever breed they want, but I would recommend something smaller. I would also recommend they borrow a dog of that breed for a week and see how things work out. The dog will think it's at summer camp, and the Obamas will get a chance to see how that breed of dog fits in. Or doesn't. (As I understand it, neither Barack not Michelle have had a dog before.)

[Barbara Chapman]

I recommend a Havanese. No shedding, small, great personality, and might help with the Cuban vote in Florida.

Barbara Chapman

[Lynne Barnett]

We are a family of allergies and asthma........and we've had no problems with Bailey (fawn) and Webster (black) for 13 years. I would highly recommend a pug, or preferably a pair of pugs. They will love you endlessly.

[Trish]

Just not a Border Collie. The photo of Trooper, Border Collie, above is beautiful but a Border Collie would be a little much for a first dog. I have Border Collies and I love them but not sure a BC would be good for the Obamas.

[donna Cook]

I think they should get a border collie as it's the only dog smart enough to help run the country. Look how organized they are. They can think on their feet and take and keep control of almost any situation. They will help raise the girls and do an excellent job. The only drawback, as far as I can see.....is that this might push the border collie up in the lists of popular dogs and everyone will be rushing out to buy one. Then 3/4 of those puppy buyers will end up sending them to the pound or into rescue because they don't have a job for them. The white house is something they can control/ fix, and still go looking for more work to do.

donna

[gemma]

The border collie in that picture is my mothers dog called Trooper, the picture is a copy of a limited edition print by UK artist Steven Townsend. I hope he doesnt get a border collie as I don't think it would suit their lifestyle.