Obama breaks down his family’s puppy dilemma: ‘We have two criteria that have to be reconciled.’
Obama breaks down his family’s puppy dilemma: ‘We have two criteria that have to be reconciled.’
After meeting with his Transition Advisory Board this afternoon, President-elect Barack Obama held a press conference to discuss his plan to move forward on the economy. Obama laid out three principles: “a rescue plan for the middle class,” “address the spreading impact of the financial crisis on other sectors of our economy,” and “review the implementation of this Administration’s financial program.” When Obama opened it for questions, the Chicago Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet turned the page on the economy, asking instead about his family’s puppy dilemma — namely, what kind of puppy will he get for his daughters. Addressing the question with his trademark dead-pan sarcasm, Obama responded, “We have two criteria that have to be reconciled.” Watch it:
Obama indicated his own personal leanings: “Our preference would be to get a shelter puppy, but obviously a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me.”
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Oh the sweet difference.....
November 7th, 2008 at 3:26 pmoboy, the NEW first dog....or should that be TOP dog?
heh, heh. (:-o)
November 7th, 2008 at 3:27 pmMy god, it's like seeing an old classic car you've been busting your ass and skinning your knuckles over for years come to life with a roar and a thrumming you can feel in your bones.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:31 pmGet a cat. Problem solved! :D
November 7th, 2008 at 3:32 pmI think, given Malia's allergy, a Siberian husky is the way to go. They're naughty, but very smart, gorgeous and hypoallergenic. And there's a Husky rescue near them in Maryland.
Think about it, Mr. President-elect.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:32 pmHere puppy puppy!
November 7th, 2008 at 3:33 pmCute pal, no one wanted him
His name-tag says George
Boy this is going to be a welcome change.
RIP
November 7th, 2008 at 3:33 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
I tuned in to see this historic press conference and was not disappointed. It is going to be so refreshing to have a President who talks straight, couches his decisions in constructive principles and is actually open and honest with the American public.
He will need to be doing alot of communicating in the weeks and months and years ahead. I have every confidence that he will. I thought he did a good job today of walking that fine line between being president-elect but not yet president. If he can remain out front on the key issues between now and January, he should be able to influence the current president and Congress toward his policy direction. With time at such a premium, it is important for him to do this so as to avoid GDumbya's normal instinct to do exactly the wrong thing and make matters worse.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:34 pmI'm with Obama on this one. There are many adoptable puppies in shelters, and shelter puppies come with all their shots and they're vetted for health.
And such a high-profile puppy adoption would give shelters a boost. The fact that shelter dogs get euthanized because nobody wants them while disreputable puppy mills get patronized is just tragic.
And if they really want a purebred, let's hope it comes from a reputable breeder and not a puppy mill.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:34 pmThe current "dog" in the whitehouse seems a little testy
November 7th, 2008 at 3:35 pmknowing he my have a hard time getting to all the buried
"bones" around the whitehouse.
Poor Joe Lieberman. He really wanted to be the first puppy.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:36 pmI know of a b*itch looking for a new home and would do ANYTHING to live in the white house....unfortunately, she flew back to Alaska a few days ago.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:38 pmThe dog topic probably has more interest than many may realize...with the juvenile set. As my 7yo daughter canvassed with me, we talked about how things would be different in the WH for the Obama children. I mentioned the promise of a dog, and she has been interested in that topic ever since. On the morning after Election Day, a news broadcast featured a discussion with a group of school children, and they were keen to discuss the puppy choices.
We've come a long way since the tabloid days of the Bush twins. Thankfully.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:38 pmI'll take a "mutt" like Obama over a "pure-bred" like that miserable failure Bush any day.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:40 pmHa! He made a joke that everyone can understand!
Love the Mutt comment. Beats the hell out of the pure bread yappy bichon frise we've been subjected too.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:42 pmI hope they name the dog "Maverick".
November 7th, 2008 at 3:42 pm"pure bread" as in dough! I made a funny with a misspelling. tee hee. (damn that Bush has rubbed off on me. ick)
November 7th, 2008 at 3:43 pm- - I watched that DOW stock ticker go from 262 to about 95 while Obama was speaking. Grist for the Right-wing mill.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:44 pmIt's been my experience that mutts are smarter than purebreds.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:47 pmI hope he goes for a shelter puppy as well. It would certainly give a boost to shelters around the country, and increase the number of adoptions (for all of their animals) substantially, at least for awhile. I think cats are out, however, because of the allergy issue. Guess it depends on HOW allergic. I'm allergic to cats (and horses!) but have had cats most of my life and horses twice. Just learned to avoid doing the things that trigger the reactions, like rubbing my eyes after petting them. But if Malia has severe respiratory allergies, then they need to be more careful. By the way, there are no animals that won't cause an allergic reaction, including short hair dogs. But a good deal of that can be eliminated by regular grooming.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:47 pmObama did not call on Faux snooze in his first press conference.
Outstanding! They will only lob grenades at him for the next 4-8 years anyhow. Banish them from the White House press corps altogether.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:48 pmDOW: Up 188.45 (2.17%)
November 7th, 2008 at 3:48 pmMan, there is some hard hitting journalism!
Why does he need a puppy when he already has a Lap Dog named "Media"?
November 7th, 2008 at 3:48 pmWaltinTexas Says:
I’ll take a “mutt” like Obama over a “pure-bred” like that miserable failure Bush any day.
Word! Bush is the product of too much "neuvo blue" blood inbreeding. Genetic flaws far too obvious. I suppose imbecile is the word I'm looking for.
I have to pinch myself every day to keep believing that this is not a dream, that we really did elect this marvelous man.
PEACE
November 7th, 2008 at 3:48 pmKeltoi,
Why does herr dubyah need a puppy when he already has a Lap Dog named the "media", "faux", and "a.m. hate radio"?
November 7th, 2008 at 3:49 pmKeltoi, seriously?
I thought you were better than that.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:50 pmKetoi; You have NOT been paying any attention for the last 8 years. In the dictionary, under lapdog media, see: Bushlovers.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:50 pmKeltoi Says: Man, there is some hard hitting journalism!
Why does he need a puppy when he already has a Lap Dog named “Media”?
- - Bush's "Lap Dog" named "Media" lived for about 7 years, which is, of course, 49 years in dog years.
And boy, did it ever feel like 49 years.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:51 pmI wonder if pit bulls are on the short list?
November 7th, 2008 at 3:54 pmKeltoi Says:
Man, there is some hard hitting journalism!
Why does he need a puppy when he already has a Lap Dog named “Media”?
*
man where have you been?
man how did you like that
presidential election?
*
center right, dude!
:)
(oh yeah, did you remember
to vote?)
*
November 7th, 2008 at 3:57 pmI hope his girls keep lipstick on it.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:57 pmI volunteer to work with the dogs at the Washington Animal Rescue League, and can highly recommend "mutts" to President-elect Obama and his family. In fact, we have a few rescue dogs at WARL right now that I think would serve quite well in the White House -- and I don't think they'd be biting any reporters on the hand, either...
We also have one rescue dog in our family's life, and of the three dogs we have, the rescue dog is by far the most well-adjusted. The Obamas would do quite well with a rescue dog, mutt or not...
November 7th, 2008 at 3:59 pmyou mean in-breds. Of course mutts are smarter.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:00 pmKeltoi Says:
Why does he need a puppy when he already has a Lap Dog named “Media”?
November 7th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
________
For now, perhaps. But a puppy won't turn on him the first time he can't get enough votes together for a budget bill.
As Harry Truman allegedly said, "if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog."
November 7th, 2008 at 4:00 pmKeltoi Says:
Man, there is some hard hitting journalism!
Why does he need a puppy when he already has a Lap Dog named “Media”?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
So was that pure delusion or sour grapes?
November 7th, 2008 at 4:01 pmralph the wonder llama Says:
Keltoi, seriously?
I thought you were better than that.
*
k forgot to take his thorazine.
:)
November 7th, 2008 at 4:01 pmI'm thinking a Russian wolfhound would be hilarious.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:03 pmKeltoi Says
November 7th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Man, there is some hard hitting journalism!
Why does he need a puppy when he already has a Lap Dog named “Media”?
_____________________________________________________________
Granted, the First Puppy choice probably isn't as critical a topic as dealing with the economy, but people are still interested enough for it to merit a mention.
As far as the media being Obama's lapdog, that will only last as long as the honeymoon does. After the inauguration, look for the media to bash Obama on a regular basis, as they do most presidents, regardless of party. Of course, it goes without saying that Fox News and the talk show pundits will continue their Obama bashing as they have been, so you should find plenty on radio, television, and the print media to keep you happy.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:04 pmJust chain Cheney to the front steps and no one will bother them.
My Jack Russell Terrier could shed a whole dog in hair in about two weeks if they have the time to wait.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:05 pmI'll attest to that. We have several dogs, all rescues, but the most neurotic of the pack originally came from a pet store before we rescued her.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:06 pmOT:
Just found this...
Ted Stevens is ahead of Mark Begich, by more than 3,000 votes, but more than 55,000 remain to be counted.
any updates?... article was written yesterday but posted today.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:19 pmA great refreshing press confress..Gee what a concept, we now have a president elect who is smart, pleasent, well spoken with out an imperealistic attitude and he is sober and not sucking on his teeth...Not to mention he answer's the question's..Wow! Hope he has lot's of those, I won't miss any of them..Unlike the last self imposed pres. this one's worth the watch and listen..Thank you President Obama....Blessings
November 7th, 2008 at 4:24 pm.
Puppies, diamonds and pearls, oh my!
Puppies, diamonds and pearls.
What shall ever we do, oh my!
Puppies, diamonds and pearls.
.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:25 pmSpeaking of the media being Obama's lapdogs, why hasn't Think Progress mentioned anything about Chris Matthews saying his job is now to make Obama a success? That doesn't seem like good journalism to me.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:33 pmWhat a Contrast! Gracious, charming, personable, intelligent and the President Elect of the United States of America! Lord, preserve and protect the future 44th President!
November 7th, 2008 at 4:36 pmAs for the press issue, this is the honeymoon, I'm sure the dishes will be flying sometime in the future. For now let's enjoy it while we can. I pull for a rescue puppy as well, but I'm not the one who's got to answer to a wife and daughters.
Best Wishes to the Obamas, God Bless.
http://www.pawschicago.org/
i'm wondering if getting a puppy now, training it at their smaller, familiar home, before moving to DC would be better, or not...
any pros out there?
November 7th, 2008 at 4:37 pmahh, it doesn't matter what I think anyway...
barack's got it covered... to be sure!
November 7th, 2008 at 4:39 pmSour grapes, Keltoi, with a hint of bitterness.
Obama won in my county, what about yours?
November 7th, 2008 at 4:43 pmhaven't read these comments yet... something i heard, and am waiting for the blow-back from the frantic-righties - invoking nancy's séances jokingly... i loved it!
November 7th, 2008 at 4:44 pmwait for it...
Are you concerned?
November 7th, 2008 at 4:45 pmKeltoi, I'm really surprised you have the nerve to come here. I think you like getting beat up.
sick little republican puppy.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:47 pmA rescue dog is an option. There are plenty of pure bred dogs that have been rescued when puppy mills have been shut down. We have rescued several Chows recently and they are incredible dogs despite the hardships they have endured.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:51 pmDavid Says:
Speaking of the media being Obama’s lapdogs, why hasn’t Think Progress mentioned anything about Chris Matthews saying his job is now to make Obama a success? That doesn’t seem like good journalism to me.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
________
Since when is Chris Matthews a journalist? He's a guy who says stuff on TV. That's not journalism.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:55 pmDrudge once again is making up statements again: "First Dog Can't Be 'Mutt Like Me'..."
November 7th, 2008 at 4:59 pmWhere is the link?
November 7th, 2008 at 5:00 pmone other thing, while it was such a pleasure to listen to a smart and articulate person at that podium, i couldn't shake the concern for his physical appearance...
barack, you REALLY need a rest. SOON. seriously.
just do it.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:01 pmChris Matthews saying his job is now to make Obama a success?
IF he actually said that, you're just mis-interpreting the idea of coming together as a nation behind the man elected by the majority to make this country a place to be proud of again (i.e. a "success").
Allow me to feed you a line you're probably more familiar with.
"Nya-nya, we win, big stupid losers!"
November 7th, 2008 at 5:11 pmdbadass Says:
I’m thinking a Russian wolfhound would be hilarious.
i used to have one! well, 1/2 - mother was pure bred borzoi...
he was a beautiful dog, took after his mom, but nose not quite so long... good dog... not so much with kids though...
...
and Dave - know the difference between "journalist" and "pundit"?
November 7th, 2008 at 5:26 pmbesides that, as long as it's the truth, not a problem...
excuse me - David, not Dave...
you know ...
...
lots of "foreclosure" dogs out there also...
norman goldman was on ed schultz today... he had some good ideas about the puppy situation... very passionate about it too...
he had this idea that the girls/family could write a book about the search and adoption process, auction off signed copies to donate to pet adoption agencies...
this could be a very good thing for pet adoption.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:35 pmNice to see that Obama can combine serious issues with humor.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:44 pmWhat's more American than a mutt? You could rename the whole country "Muttland." Hybrid vigor is obvious in our new prez. God, it's weird to watch a press conference and not want to flinch out.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:28 pmkaty Says:
haven’t read these comments yet… something i heard, and am waiting for the blow-back from the frantic-righties - invoking nancy’s séances jokingly… i loved it!
wait for it…
November 7th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
uh oh...
just heard a APradio news report, not all of it though, about this...
reported that nancy confided in astrologers not the dead...
and keith covered it... said that obama called nancy within hours to appologize for the comment...
haven't heard what happened, if anything...
November 7th, 2008 at 8:11 pmI think it's a good thing to be talking about upholding his promise to his children. For one thing, it reminds me that his first concern is for his girls' happiness. Second, I am an dog lover and the idea that he is giving a plug for shelter animals and spotlighting their plight even indirectly is a good thing, too. Perhaps we could get some legislation passed against puppy mills-a bane to my happiness and a dear cause of my heart. I am always finding strays and bringing them home, nursing them back to health and often lucky enough in finding their owners. Costs a lot of time, aggravation and money sometimes...sigh.
By the way Buckie Boy-you have my sympathy. I have a Jack Russell, too. She thinks her middle name is "No-No".
November 7th, 2008 at 9:39 pmSomeone needs to point out the value of purebred Rescue Organizations - not all of them are older dogs and not all of them have been abused. My non-allergenic Bouvier was a rescue puppy that was simply unwanted. And he just won the "Bouvier Hero of the Year" award for saving my life.
What more could a father want for his children?
November 7th, 2008 at 10:18 pm#64--I'll bite (ha), what did your dog do? Really, seriously, I'm curious because I have an awesome dog, too (not the naughty Jack I mentioned above but a cool 130 lb 9 year old shepherd/malamute mix). I might be interested in a Bouvier rescue because of family allergy issues and I want a bigger dog after my big boy passes, which hopefully will be a looong time from now.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:28 pmHope he has lot’s of those, I won’t miss any of them..Unlike the last self imposed pres. this one’s worth the watch and listen..Thank you President Obama.
---------
November 8th, 2008 at 7:11 amNovember 8th, 2008
drogen
Just making the transition. In the idiot's 8 year reign of terror humility ceased to be a virtue just like common sense ceased to be a virtue.
November 8th, 2008 at 12:25 pmHello to two legged animals. We are Beau and Harley. Beau is greythound,harley is mutt. We vote for happy happy dog for little girls - we vote four paws (eight when Beau cockroaches on back)up for happy little girls. No sneezing, tho. We want happy smiles, not sniffles. paws to all. Happy girls equal happy dog. Could each girl have dog? Two dogs better than one for little girls.
November 8th, 2008 at 4:41 pmKeep up the viagra spam drogen.
You'll be ousted permanently if you continue...
November 9th, 2008 at 12:06 amlivelongandprosper Says:
Please don't malign bichon frises -- they are relentlessly sweet, happy dogs who wouldn't hurt a fly. Bush and Cheney are more malign than any dog could ever be, except maybe a Nazi-trained Doberman.
November 9th, 2008 at 11:41 amObama's endearing humility shows the influence of Lincoln, who was similarly self-deprecating about his origins. I'm glad we have a president who has good role models.
November 9th, 2008 at 11:46 amHi, i'm sure the dishes will be flying sometime in the future.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:44 pm