by, Thad Abel

Happy National Dogs In Politics Day!

Sources:  Nationaltoday.com and Hillspet.com (Erin Ollila)

President Richard Nixon was the 38^th President of the United States and his most memorable speech is when he mentioned his dog, Checkers.  In 1952, then, Senator Richard Nixon was on the Republic ticket as Vice-President with General Dwight Eisenhower who was running for President.  Senator Nixon was being accused of violating campaign rules and so he thought it would be a good idea to go on TV to plead his innocence.  It proved to be a brilliant move as he integrated his family and his dog, Checkers into the speech.  This made him appear to be more believable and personable with the audience.  The speech has been referred to as the “Checkers” speech and some say it saved his election. Checkers was a black and white cocker spaniel and you can see the “Checkers Speech” by going to this YouTube address, https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/september-23-1952-checkers-speech

President Obama made good on his promise to his daughters, Malia and Sasha, to get a dog. He received a gift from Senator Kennedy, a Portuguese Water Dog named Bo and after the election presented Bo to the girls.  They also had another Portuguese Water Dog named Sunny.  President George W. Bush had two Scottish Terriers, Miss Beazley and Barney.  He also had Spot, an English springer spaniel. President George H. W. Bush had an English springer spaniel, Millie, who was Spot’s mother.  In 1992 there was a book titled, Millie’s Book as Dictated to Barbara Bush.  It reached the Publisher’s Weekly Best Seller’s list and all proceeds went to the Barbara Bush Foundation For Family Literacy.  President Johnson had a dog named Yuki that he loved so much that they slept, swam and danced with!  He had other dogs, too, including Him, Her, Edgar and Freckles who were beagles.  President Kennedy had Charlie, a Welsh terrier; Wolf, an Irish wolfhound; and Clipper, a German shepherd. President Roosevelt had 7 dogs, but his favorite was Fala, a Scottish Terrier.  President Washington had fox hounds, coon hounds and grey hounds!  The list could go on and on with all the President’s dogs in between!