Gary Pettus • gpettus@clarionledger.com • September 11, 2008


A recent Associated Press poll shows that pet owners, dog owners in particular, favor presidential candidate John McCain over Barack Obama by a margin of 42 percent to 37 percent.
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The other 21 percent remain neuter.

Picking a potential First Dog now is important for Obama. He promised his daughters they'll get one, after the election. But, by then, it will be too late. You cannot ignore the dog-lovin' vote.

Voters expect the president to bring to the White House a loyal, furry protector of the American Dream.

FDR had a Scottish terrier, Fala. Clinton had a chocolate Lab, Buddy. President Bush has a mastiff, Dick Cheney.

Sen. McCanine

For his part, McCain's lead is almost insurmountable. He's already a four-dog man.

While his first name does sound a little like the plaintive cry of a Bichon Frise, Barack Obama has little else going for him, dog-wise.

So the American Kennel Club this summer decided to whip him into action, holding an election that saw more than 42,000 people cast votes: They chose a dog for Obama.

A poodle.

The poodle is the eighth most popular dog breed in the America.

The poodle is smart, stylish and hypoallergenic.

But, poodle lovers of America, forgive me: Your dog comes with a lot of baggage.

Whenever I see a poodle, I think of Mrs. Drysdale.

Le Dog

The snooty banker's wife on The Beverly Hillbillies, Mrs. Drysdale pampered and pompadoured a standard poodle named Claude until he looked like a cross between a sheep and Marie Antoinette.

Years later, I'm still haunted by his smug poodle tongue as it lapped up caviar. Others in my populous, likely-to-vote, Beverly Hillbillies- watching generation will remember Claude, too, and shiver with horror.

When it comes to voting for Obama, their ballot-punching instruments will falter if this man is all poodled up. Toy, miniature, standard or automatic - Claude can cost Obama the election. Oh, yes it can.

If by some miracle, he wins the election with a poodle in his pocket, he should remember this: One of his predecessors owned a poodle named Vicky. And we know how that worked for Richard Nixon.

Contact staff writer Gary Pettus at (601) 961-7037 or e-mail gpettus@clarionledger.com.