Barack Obama: Does it really matter that he has no pets? 
Sunday August 10, 2008
Despite the major political issues we consider before voting for our next president, a huge focus has been placed upon the fact that Obama does not have any pets. His daughters have been begging for a dog, but dad says it will have to wait until after the election. Before you vote for president, you can vote for your choice of dog breed for the Obama family. The American Kennel Club has created a website to help the Obama family make the big decision. Due allergies, the choices are limited to hypoallergenic breeds. Of course, the dog must be family-friendly.
What about Obama’s stance on animal welfare? Most sources report a strong stance in defense of animals - a good thing.
I have to mention - I have always said I don’t quite trust people who don’t own pets. I say this jokingly, because I know plenty of great people who don’t own pets. So, I want to hear from all you dog lovers: does the fact that Obama has no pets really affect your vote?
Photo of Barack Obama: Frederick M. Brown / Stringer / Getty Images
Comments
I wonder why the Basenji was not selected. I was owned by a basenji girl who was older but just lovely. They do not generly cause allergies.
I think it is a smart man who knows when and when not to own a dog. Dogs need lots of attention, and he knows now is not a good time to add a pet because it would be unfair to it. I commend Obama for this. I also appreciate a parent who does not immediately give in to their child’s every whim.
There is something wrong with people who don’t like dogs
OK, HE GETS A PASS FOR NOW, BUT THE DOG HAD BETTER BE A RESCUE !!
I’m so glad we can focus on the real issues, like whether or not to vote for someone based on how many pets they have. I have a dog that I love very much and I’m a soldier, guess which concerns me more?
Mr. Obama is campaigning for president, a time consuming and energy consuming activity for him and for his wife. Pets are a huge responsibility and waiting for the right time to have one makes a lot of sense to me. I want a president who has some sense.
No dog, no vote from me!
I bet Obama ends up with a cat. He seems like a cat person.
Whether or not Obama has a dog, cat, or a hamster, I won’t vote for him.
It does make a difference to me. Although, it doesn’t say he has never had a pet, in adulthood. That I would like to know. If not - no vote. I believe it speaks for a person’s level of self interest, and other character traits.
The problem is that whichever breed he chooses will then become a very popular one — and then 50% or more of the dogs of that breed that have been acquired by the public will end up in the nearby animal shelter. Double-edged sword, right?
Even though it doesn’t change my vote, I do think it is a red flag that Obama’s family does not have pets.
Pets dont like the Obama’s and THAT is a red flag for me.
No pets no presidency.
All the President’s Pets: A reconstruction of the discovery of the White House link with the Petgate affair by two young reporters from the Washington Post.
Mama says: never vote a candidate that has no pets.
Endorse Obama President PETition.
Jenna, imagine a Newsweek cover photo: Obama’s wife sitting in a chair at the oval office and him standing up by her side holding a baby bulldog in his arms. How sweet…
How much attention is John McCain giving his pets right now? Obama is extremely wise to wait until after the election. This isn’t the issue I make my decision on, but shows a trait of a very wise man.
will not get my vote. No pet? I can not even imagine and those poor kids. Have they ever had a pet? Pets make children learn compassion and responsibility and selflessness.
Would you expect anything less from a guy like this that does not own a pet. Not what the country needs.
President Bush signed a bill to leave no Pet behind in disaster planning and evacuation. I wish he had given the same protection he gives to the American pets to the the people of Irak where 5 million orphan Iraqi children are left behind.
He is the only real candidate to vote for. His wife is the one who will be looking after the dog, and her vote on that matter is much more important. Hope he gets a labradoodle, or golden doodle.
Might not be ‘politically correct’ but no one gets my vote who is not a dog owner and lover, maybe if they are horse lovers.
If Mr. Obama wants to show he’s not a Muslim then the best way would be to have a dog.
What happened to this Blog, link not working, doesn’t show in Forum? Censorship????
The Joy of Mutts
John McCain has at least one mutt, perhaps Obama will consider a mixed breed dog. Regardless of what they do, I really think mutts are amazing!
One of the fist considerations of pet ownership should be how much time the family will have to spend with the pet. Wouldn’t it be sad for them to get a dog just to be seen as pet lovers and then have the dog at home alone all day. Given their schedules I doubt there is a lot of staying home at the Obama household right now.
Replying to number 25, Alpenbuah
You said, “If Mr. Obama wants to show he’s not a Muslim then the best way would be to have a dog.”
What on earth does this have to do with the price of bananas in China?
How would this possibly prove anything?
Hmmm….
What a bunch of idiots. Do you really think it’s responsible to take on dog ownership with two working parents, one of whom must be away from home nearly constantly? You can’t depend upon children to take care of animals. They’re wise to wait until their situation is more stable. Strong, pro-animal policies mean more than what he does in his private family life. And no one said animals don’t like Obama. “Low information voters”…what a lovely euphemism.
Well, Obama does not have my vote regardless…that said, I feel he should of given his children a dog a long time ago. It is very good for youth to grow up caring for a pet, such as a dog. He is so much show…”after the election” I could go on. I am more concerned about his denial over the flag.
Perhaps sadly, I do not know how many or how old his kids are. When deciding who to vote for, I focus a bit more on their stance on issues important to me. I doubt very much that McCain and his family are able to provide proper attention to each member of their menagerie. Are his critters pets or just animals that live around them? I, too, commend the Obamas for waiting until they have time to devote to their pet — as if he’d be more available as president than he is as a candidate. My summary opinion…I’d much rather have a President with no pets that understands that he and his family cannot properly care for/give attention to them than one that has pets that can’t give them that attention or keeps them for the sake of appearances.
He’s a busy man, and his wife is a busy woman. I respect them for not getting pets at this juncture. It’s not fair to a dog to leave it home alone for too long.
If and when he moves to the White House and has staffers to help him care for his pets, then I say he should get a rescue animal of whatever variety he prefers. But really. Election-wise for me this is a non-issue. His voting record on animal welfare is much more important.
I have a difficult time understanding anyone who equates whether Obama owns a dog or not with whether he would make a good president. Come on people- get real- it’s (unintelligent thoughts =unintelligent voters) such as these why we’re in the current mess we’re in. Bush owns a dog- does ANYONE really think it has helped him be a good president??? Please get some education..help yourself and others.
I wouldn’t vote for him if he had multiple dogs.
Having any kind of pet is a big responsibility and I applaude anyone who gets one when the time is right. Allergies are a big issue and not giving into children all the time is important. Most of the time, the Mom get stuck with the job anyway. They will choose the right dog at the right time for them. Pet or no pet will not make my choice for President for me.
I believe Barama (my spelling) will get his girls a dog when the time is right. He has much common sense and displays it well. My concern is with AKC giving advice. They are a good organization, I used to belong to it, but with so many thousands of beautiful and loving dogs waiting for good people to realize this and adopt them, the “papered pets” can wait. Adopt from a reliable shelter. You won’t be sorry.
Obama didn’t say he didn’t love or want pets, come on people!! We need someone who has integrity and when he’s going to have a pet is going to take proper care and time with it. Just because there are presidents who have animals in the past, CLEARLY didn’t mean they were good presidents…Uh Remember, Mr. “I-am-not-a-crook” owned four dogs when he was president. Let’s be a little more sage in who we’re ready to elect to be a responsible president! and yes, I am a major, major animal lover…
i think he should check out local shelters
i was and still have wheatons.they have a stubborn side,and need much training.wonderful dogs but not for a family that is busy all the time,they love to be around their people!
I personally would not care if he had an ARK full of animals or stays petless. I am NOT voting for him! I do not feel he is qualified to handle the job of President of our country.
I have pets, but, pet or no pet, he isn’t getting my vote. Too many inconsistencies with his character and his intentions.
I’ve heard and read many, many stupid reasons to support a particular candidate for President of the USA, but basing one’s voting decision on whether or not a candidate has dogs or any other pet is perhaps the most idiotic reason of all.
I’m also surprised that this AboutCom Dogs website, which has a history of providing valuable information to dog owners over the years, would want to encourage such silly reasoning by presenting the serious issue of choice of President of the US in terms of supposedly “pet lover” candidate vs. candidate who has no pets. With questions like this, it’s inevitable that there will be inappropriate comments such as the especially ridiculous one about the Muslim “test.”
Just look at the major economic, social, political, environmental, international and other major problems a president will need to address in the next four years. Who really cares whether he’ll have a pet or two or many? And if he does, you can’t seriously believe that the pres. will be doing the day-to-day care, and since he’s not going to be my dog walking buddy or share tips with me about the best diet, it’s none of my business as a voter.
Dog or no dog, I support Obama, and my dog has even worn her very own Obama button on her collar.
Poor Mr. Obama. If he doesn’t own a dog yet, he is probably not a dog lover, or perhaps has never had a chance to form an unbreakable bond with man’s best friend. I would not hold that against him at the polls but hopefully this will change for him and his family. I am sure they deserve to participate in a special dog/human bond.
I just find it sad that people with their money, and with two children don’t have so much as a fish.
You who take into consideration the love for pets at the time of electing a president of the USA have an irreversible brain damage that makes you even more idiotic than the most retarded human been that has ever born in this planet.
I agree, no dog, no vote. How can a person say he’s an animal lover with no animals in the house? Not even a pet rat? Whatever.
Geeeze….liberals…
I agree that the Obama family should wait to get a dog until the hectic pace of the campaign and election is over. It would be wonderful if they adopted a shelter dog. But I think Mr. Obama also needs a bit of pet policy education: in response to the crisis of Chinese contaminated food ingredients poisoning our pets, he criticized the administration and said even our dogs and cats have worms. I cringed!
Scroll down for samples of some cute political buttons for pets. http://www.mercer4obama.com/Resources
He’s got one. His WIFE!
I think it’s a wise decision not to have had pets yet. He has small children. The children need to learn how to handle a kitten or puppy. Should they decide to do a rescue the animal may have issues with small children. Also being on the campaign trail is certainly not the time to introduce an animal into the household. And getting an animal just to get votes is cruel to an animal.
Not having a pet is a definite danger sign! Animals go by sense of smell more than sight. The old saying “animals can smell fear” holds true! People with something to hide do not want them around for fear of “smelling the wrong thing”. Like smelling hostility, insincerity, fear, and anger that can lead to attack! People are animals too, and lower animals can smell these things due to chemical changes in the human body when emotions become very strong! No sense in trying to deny it! Obama has something to hide, and he does not want animals smelling it! No room for excuses at this level of politics! He better confess all now, or have animals smell it out later! If has nothing to hide, get an animal!
Muslims hate dogs. You decide!
I came to this site because i was searching for Obama having a dog. I did not think he did and that causes me to wonder all the more what his Religion is.
I understand if he does not win his Girls do not get a Dog. Think about that it amounts to punishment for his Girls.
Whether a man has a dog or not says NOTHING about what kind of person he is. He may have decided to wait until his children were mature enough to handle the responsibility of a pet. He also knows that a hectic schedule is not fair to a pet right now. Does anyone even care if he is allergic to dogs or not? He did not say the children couldn’t have a dog if he didn’t win. That is a lie! I heard him say they had to wait until the campaign was over. He is not a Muslim, he goes to a Christian church and believes in Christ.
If you vote for a person on whether they have a pet or not just shows plain ignorance. Slurring a candidate on this pet site is also low and uncalled for. This type of subject should be on a political site and not here. Get informed and educate yourself before voting in November. Now can we get back to talking about pets and not politics?
Barack rocks and he is gonna win!!!!!4 sure
Obama NEVER said he didnt like dogs. He is an animal advocate. It doesnt even make sense for a person who isn’t home all day to have a dog, no less a traveling family. A dog needs lots of attention, especially a puppy. He is smart at this time not to have one. Once the election is over, I am sure the girls will get their doggie.
The banks are failing, homes are being foreclosed, our boys are being killed in Iraq and all you idiots are worried whether or not Obama has a dog????? That says alot about how people will vote in this election and if they pick the wrong guy they will whine…Get real, vote the issues not who owns a dog. At least Obama remembers how many homes he has….and his running mate cant see Alaska from his window…….
I’m not voting for him either way and I have very mixed feelings on this. As a dog lover and owner of 10 dogs now and 100’s over my lifetime, a dog (or any animal) is a HUGE commitment; JUST as important as a child (I have 3 of those too). More often than not, I have seen cute puppies turn into tied up adult dogs and it sickens me; and I wind up with them b/c of it. If they aren’t animal lovers DON’T GET ONE. But not to be an animal lover is a HORRIBLE life. As for his “poor” kids ~ puppies and kittens are cute but they DO grow up; kids do too and kids get to leave the home for a place of their own and their cute, precious puppy or kitten is left behind to grieve THEIR loss of a friend….But, Obama ~ BE SURE when you adopt to be ready for a LIFETIME of commitment on your part and most of all, be ready for a lifetime of love and companionship matched by none other in a dog. He DOES kind of look like a cat person tho and if they choose to become owners, a cat is most likely the best choice. It takes a VERY special human to love, honor and commit to a dog!
For those of you not voting for Obama–YOU ARE DEAD WRONG! SARAH PALIN IS A DOG SLAUGHTERER AND McCain doesn’t see anything wrong with it!!
If you give a damn about animals you should not vote for McCain/Palin who don’t give a damn about animals. In fact Sarah Palin, is mandating the horrifically cruel aerial gunning or wolves–which are wild dogs!
Barack Obama and Joe Biden WOULD NEVER condone such cruelty and Obama pledges support for nearly every animal protection bill! McCain and Palin definitely don’t care about animals.
THINK AGAIN AND VOTE FOR OBAMA/BIDEN —who care about animals and equally important–the environment.
Makes me want to vote for McCain EVEN MORE! Go McCain!!!!
its interesting because muslims believe that dogs are dirty so therefore do not have dogs for family pets. obama states he is not a muslim but nevertheless i find this quite interesting.
First off, I never grew up with dogs. My dad cannot stand them. Does this make my Catholic Dad a Moslim? Not one bit.
I suspect the Obamas didn’t get a dog, even before he was in politics, because both Michelle and Barack work long hours and want to spend time with their kids when they come home, not have to worry about a dog. And, for those who think childhood equals having a dog, there are more kids that grow up petless than have pets, many of them middle-class.
Please vote for for the candidate who’s issues most matter to you, not if a person owns a pet or not. Being a pet owner does not automatically make you a good person
Take a look at the animal website animalattraction.com where pet owners vote. First it’s terribly misleading - it says “Meow for McCain” and it shows the McCains with dogs - - not cats. How stupid. Then it has Bark for Barack and talk about a strange photo. I’ve never seen any human being so out of place holding a dog as Obama.
Excuse me guys and gals, but just because Obama does,nt own a dog does not mean that he wouldn’t make a good President. First of all I do not think anyone said he does not like them, it said he does’nt own one. It also says that his daughter will get one after the election. That makes good sense , because he is way too busy worrying about how he would run our country and not about what kind of dog to buy. Personally, I’d rather have a President that has his priorities set on people! P.S I,m a pet lover too.
It would be good politics to adopt a rescue dog. Plus it would be an act of great kindness and show a tremendous depth of empathy for the forgotten pet.
Considering the fact that one of his girls has allergies I would say a Basenji would be a great dog for them. They are elegant, proud, compact, sleek, athletic, and barkless. These are energetic and fun dogs that are born in December right in time for the new year! Not to mention there are so many purebred basenjis that are in rescue.
We are living in a hypocritic world that some one can never imagine. We all know that DOG is a desease moving a dirtness and a bascket of microbs. Most bad deseases like the cancer and so many others are because of dogs wether you belive it or not wether this reality and this fact shocks you or not. If you want to be sure and want to test the credibility of what I say, go to an honest doctor and ask him about germs dog carries in saliva.
Our prophet Mohammed (SAW) told us; if dog olgs in a bowl, wash it three times (with water) including one with sand. Because dog’s germs could be only removed by sand (what is available at the time of prophet but today we may use chimical products.
This to show you how the dog is dangerous for human bieng’s health. At to that the sanitary aspect.So dog’s place is not inside the house but outside.
You people need to stop telling stories and tell the truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!