Associated Press: Pet Owners Prefer McCain To "Petless" Obama
Here at TPM we've been chronicling some of the more ridiculous reporting on the presidential election that's been produced by the Associated Press.
But now we think we've found the most Pulitzer-worthy AP effort yet. Gaze upon this headline and subhed -- the AP actually did a poll of pet owners and found that people with animals prefer McCain!
In poll of pet owners, McCain tops ObamaPet owners find McCain with his house full of animals more appealing than the petless Obama
Yes, this is a real AP article. Now check this out from the body of the story...
From George Washington's foxhounds Drunkard and Tipsy to George W. Bush's terriers Barney and Miss Beazley, pets are a longtime presidential tradition for which the presumed Republican nominee seems well prepared, with more than a dozen.Democratic candidate Barack Obama, on the other hand, doesn't have a pet, though he has promised his daughters a dog after the election, win or lose.
"From an image standpoint, nothing humanizes a candidate more than seeing him lovingly dote on his pet or toss a ball around on the White House lawn," says American Kennel Club spokeswoman Lisa Peterson.
An AP-Yahoo News poll found that pet owners favor McCain over Obama 42 percent to 37 percent, with dog owners particularly in McCain's corner.
"I think a person who owns a pet is a more compassionate person -- caring, giving, trustworthy. I like pet owners," said Janet Taylor of Plymouth, Mass.
We're not sure what our favorite thing is here. Is it that last quote? Is it the fact that the subhed called the Illinois Senator "petless Obama"? Is it the fact that the AP, which presumably knew at the outset that Obama was "petless" and was thus likely to score lower than McCain, conducted this poll at all?
My favorite thing? Did you even know that McCain had pets? Did the people who responded know? Out of Republicans or Democrats, who is more likely to own pets?
Wait. I was wrong. My favorite part of this is that reading drivel like this from the A.P. MAKES MY BRAIN LIQUEFY. See questions above, for evidence.
July 8, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pete and Stash are NOT voting for McCain!
July 8, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn strait! Tuxedo cats stick together!
July 8, 2008 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll give up catnip for a year for a teeny tiny little Preview function.
Should be "straight".
July 8, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
no,no. Not catnip. ;)
July 8, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
My two Democats agree . . . NO MCSAME!
July 8, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's fairly obvious that pet-owners are more likely to be one (or both) of two things: rural and more wealthy than those without pet owners.
Obama's support comes, largely, from younger people (yet to become pet owners, like myself) and people who live in cities (where owning a pet is less feasible).
I don't know why I'm writing out a lengthy post, so I'll cut to the chase:
is this at all surprising?
July 8, 2008 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't bother trying to parse this.....it is DRIVEL, plain and simple, and has about as much bearing on this election as whether Obama is wearing a flag lapel pin or not.
I am an animal lover and a big Obama supporter. This news has not shattered my faith in my chosen candidate....Obama's girls are getting a dog on November 5th anyhow.
July 8, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't have a pet-owner . . .
July 8, 2008 3:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I think a person who owns a pet is a more compassionate person -- caring, giving, trustworthy. I like pet owners," said Janet Taylor of Plymouth, Mass.
She must love Michael Vick!!!
July 8, 2008 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
and mitt romney.
let's not forget that classic Dog Strapped to Family Wagon for Long Ass Road Trip and Shits Himself.
July 8, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Adolph Hitler; he loved his dog. Jews, Gypsies, and Homosexuals; not so much!
July 8, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Responsible pet owners know that having a pet as a prop when you're going to be on the road nonstop for two years is pretty cruel, unless you have servants who are their real caretakers, like McCain.
July 8, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's what I was thinking. Just because he buys the food and pays the caregiver(s) doesn't really make them McCain's pets.
As long as we're making irrelevant comparisons between the candidates, how many servants do John and Cindy McCain employ (excluding people associated with the campaign)? I'll bet they have more hired hands than Barack and Michelle Obama. With that in mind, which candidate best resembles a typical American family.
July 8, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Er....the white one?
July 8, 2008 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
totally! dogs expect to have their packs around. a pet owner who never sees their pet is awful for the animal. (presuming we're talking about dogs; throwing a ball to a cat in the Rose Garden isn't nearly as photogenic.)
I don't think the AP article understands animals at all. Did their pet-owner poll include the question "Do you think it's right to abandon a pet for a year while campaigning for president?" or "Do you think a pet should just be a prop to humanize a politician?" or "How happy is your dog when you come home? How happy would they be if you only came home once every four months?"
July 8, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Weird, I think a person is more trustworthy if they don't constantly lie to me, and more compassionate if they don't do things that screw over everyone but the rich.
But shit, call me crazy, what do I know? I'm petless!
July 8, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have two cats and I agree with you. Why didn't they poll us???
July 8, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does AP stand for almost press or always partisan?
July 8, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about Almost Pointless.
At least here....sometimes the AP is good.
July 8, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alright, I'll play:
"From an image standpoint, nothing humanizes a candidate more than seeing him lovingly dote on his pet or toss a ball around on the White House lawn," says American Kennel Club spokeswoman Lisa Peterson.
I think they're right, plain and simple. As a cheap cosmetic matter, yep, we are attracted to people who care for animals, especially if the animals are attractive. For a President, I think a dog (large and elegant, and not bouncing around a lot) is more the image than a cat, because a cat can make a man look odd, effeminate, or calculating. I say that as a person who cannot abide dogs and who *loves* my cat!
July 8, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
But clearly this is a naked attempt by Obama to stifle those secret Muslim rumors by saying he'd get a dog. After all, Mohammed was a cat person.
July 8, 2008 3:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I actually don't even think that poll is correct. Given Obama's overwhelming lead, i would expect that lead to carry though the pet-owing demographic, unless there is some other cause that drives up both pet ownership and republicanism.
July 8, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. I think the poll is wrong. Would like to see what the actual question was.
When balanced against all the other polls with Obama leading, this poll presumes to say that a strong majority of pet owners would use pet ownership as a significant factor in selecting a president. I doubt five percent of pet owners would claim such a thing.
July 8, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Like having a nice big back yard?
July 8, 2008 2:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another matter regarding the poll itself: Do we know if 42-37 is within the margin of error?
July 8, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's what I was thinking, it is a small lead, and I bet their sample size was crap.
July 8, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Much as I would like to say that this is all crap, FYI, for what it's worth:
Not within the margin of error.
Did you know that married people "favor McCain"? I sure didn't.
July 8, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
According to this poll, everybody and every demographic favors McCain.
July 8, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
"White people tend to favor McCain."
Oh, really? Where? By what percentage?
I think that's the most ridiculous part of the whole freaking story. Seriously!
July 8, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, we all know that black people favor Obama because he's, well, you know, black. Therefore it follows that white people must favor the white guy for the very same reason.
I'm thinking "Always Pathetic" is a good re-name for the A.P.
July 8, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can't believe they didn't mention Checkers.
BTW, the poll was an internet poll. That's how lame this AP story is.
July 8, 2008 2:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
There goes the endorsements of both Flipper and Lassie.
July 8, 2008 2:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Question: What kind of pet owner would Obama be as he travels damn near every day to a different city?
Answer: A very irresponsible one.
This sounds like the kind of crap Dick Morris pulls out of thin air. It's utter nonsense.
July 8, 2008 2:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well no wonder Mother Theresa was universally hated. She should have owned a dog.
July 8, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
This owner of 2 dogs thinks McCain can go fuck himself. Is that in the poll?
July 8, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
This tells me that moron pet owners are more likely to answer a survey by the AP compared to responsible pet owners who will gladly vote for Obama and don't want to waste their time talking to a lying news service like AP.
July 8, 2008 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
and take a look at the wide dissemination:
http://www.google.com/search?q=In+poll+of+pet+owners%2C+McCain+tops+Obama&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
July 8, 2008 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
While that is pretty depressing, AP stories are picked up regularly by newspapers across the country.
Just another problem with mass super-conglomerated media.
July 8, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
People are taking this seriously? Really?
OK, let's break this down, shall we? Ms. Peterson says that nothing humanizes a candidate more. BUT IF THEY'RE IN THE WHITE HOUSE, GAMBOLING AROUND THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN, THEY'RE ALREADY ELECTED, AND NO LONGER A CANDIDATE. So WTF is she talking about?
Is she suggesting that McCain trot on over to the White House with his "house full of pets" and have a rodeo for the press on the White House Lawn? What?
Just shoot me.
July 8, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
They didn't include this quote:
or this one:
July 8, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!!!!!!!!!
July 8, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
BTW and OT -- Georgette Mosbacher's formula for young women wishing to marry wealth: wear a hot skirt, buy a cute dog, and walk the damn thing in a rich neighborhood that is not all families.
July 8, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, this pet-owner for Obama would just like to say that her favorite thing about this is that this article makes the assumption that pet-owners actually care who has more pets.
July 8, 2008 2:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Scratch that - this dog owner for Obama whose dog is also for Obama, if only she'd let us put clothes on her.
July 8, 2008 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
A once again the tone deaf Obamites fail to comprehend one criterion that the majority of Americans use to decide who best represents them in the WH.
Relatability and likability count extremely high. My guess is a whole lot of voters do not relate to Obama's snobish, elitist and arrogant attitude. This is just one more element people will use to decide he's not the one for them. Did I forget inexperience and unknowability?
Clinton in 2012.
July 8, 2008 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I think a person who owns a pet is a more compassionate person -- caring, giving, trustworthy. I like pet owners," said Janet Taylor of Plymouth, Mass."
Hitler owned a dog.
If a majority of Americans use pet-ownership as one of their criterions for selecting presidents, well...we might just as well flush our democracy down the toilet, cause we're not going to be smart enough to maintain it.
July 8, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Criteria, not criterions.
Someone had to point it out. Sorry it was me.
July 8, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
The ineffable unknowability of shadowy blackness strikes again!
I wonder if there has been any thought to casting Barack as the villain in the second Iron Man movie. "Watch Tony Stark battle the unknowable black menace that is... Possibly Muslim Man!"
July 8, 2008 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
And, infuriatingly enough for you, troll, your guess continues to be wrong.
As usual.
July 8, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because McCain pays people to walk his dogs and scoop cat litter, he is more likeable.
That is some airtight logic, right there.
July 8, 2008 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are awesome!! I was looking through the comments and I would never have guessed that you would have taken this seriously and tried to use the thread to attack Obama. You deserve an award.
You don't give yourself enough credit: fogu2 in 2012, not Clinton!
July 8, 2008 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Relatability?" FWIW, "unknowability" was in one of my dictionaries; so there you go. You're not full of crackheadedness.
July 8, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Relatability and likability count extremely high"
I guess this is why you are so well respected and your opinions matter to us here at TPM...
having a good day ..Mr Troll...your candidate McFuddle abuses his wife! Anyone who refers to his wife in such a loving way as a C**T is a real winner...relate much fogu2???
July 8, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
If he had called her a bitch instead, I imagine dog owners would have found that endearing.
July 8, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
What are you doing here? Don't you know that the Hillary in 2012 people are only supposed to got to approved web sites like PUMA or better yet, McCain 2008!
July 8, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus, are you still here? Thought you'd been exposed to sunlight and turned into stone.
July 8, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
No problem chico53. You just mount a cage to the roof of your car and stick the pet in there ala' Romney. Don't forget to hose the poor thing down with a garden hose -- it demonstrates something or other but I forgot what. Was it "problem resolution" skills?
And "more compassionate person -- caring, giving, trustworthy"? just ignore the guy behind the curtain... the one calling his wife a cunt in front of reporters.
July 8, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good Gawd, I forgot about McCain's probable Veep choice. A very responsible pet owner. Sounds like the perfect topic for Sean Hannity to go off on for about an hour or so.
July 8, 2008 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
"petless Obama." !!!!?
[mind still boggled. Too many images to catalogue. Hold on]
Stash and I, we are NOT voting for McCain.
On that note, I'm gone.
July 8, 2008 2:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Obama's do not have pets because their oldest daughter Malia has lots of allergies and on her birthday this pass Saturday...her dad said he would try to find a hypoallergenic dog..since she really loved the ponies in MT.
But allergies are the reason for no pets in their household.
I have no pets either for the exact same reason my oldest son had lots of allergies and it just was not worthy knowing he would wheeze and become very asthmatic when around pets.
July 8, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, this begs the question, why do you hate America?
July 8, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!!!!!!
July 8, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's a great question in theory, but remember not to ask petless people questions, because you can't trust them.
July 8, 2008 3:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, if that's accurate, which is entirely possible, then this whole poll and other bs coming from the ap really sucks. WTF. They can't have a freaking pet because their daughter has allergies and then the ap gets all these crappy quotes from pet people hitting obama. Outrageous.
July 8, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Instead of conducting polls like this, the AP should be offering its reporters workshops on how to research stories.
Maybe animal lovers would be interested in the record: http://www.fund.org/humanescorecard/
Oh, and my cats, who live in a very red district, are firmly for Obama.
July 8, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think next they should do a poll of racists.
July 8, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
The fatal flaw in the AP poll is that they did not ask for the opinions of the actual pets.
Here is what they might have heard:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuKqWEYzhEA
July 8, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've always had pets, from childhood until now. We currently have one dog and two cats. I wouldn't leave McCain alone with ANY of them!
July 8, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're not suggesting that McCain would screw the pooch? Because he has dogs of his own, he doesn't even NEED to screw yours. Oh, who am I kidding, of course he would.
July 8, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd bet all my money that the McCain's pets aren't allowed on the couches.
July 8, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I imagine there's a five-inch plastic cover over every piece of furniture in that house.
July 8, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
What the article didn't mention is that when one of McCain's cats got sick, he got a younger, better looking one.
July 8, 2008 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, it was a bad car accident, not an illness.
July 8, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain has more than a dozen pets? This article
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,272835,00.html
says he has 22 animals. "Sam the English springer spaniel, Coco the mutt, turtles Cuff and Link, Oreo the black and white cat, a ferret, three parakeets and 13 saltwater fish."
That is starting to get to the point where you wonder what dysfunction has lead to getting that many pets.
How about we run another internet poll. Let's ask pet owners this question:
John McCain spends all of his time in Washington or on the campaign trail, away from more than a twenty pets he is supposed to be caring for. Barak Obama has lived up to all obligations to his pets. Which candidate do you prefer?
July 8, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are *definitely* right that how you ask the question largely determines the answers -- yours is actually a push poll!
July 8, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
My Maltese does not shed hair, is now almost 14 years old, and a great fellow. I keep his hair cut short in the summertime. I don't know if non-shedding dogs are better for allergy sufferers, but I think they might be. Anybody know the answer?
July 8, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, non-shedding dogs like poodles and poodle mixes are much better for allergy sufferers.
July 8, 2008 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am now going to invest in any company that makes American flag dog-collar pins.
July 8, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I support John McCain because I think his dog is someone I'd like to have a beer with.
July 8, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did Rupert Murdoch buy AP too? I missed that.
July 8, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't know Obama didn't have a pet. I didn't know McCain did.
This changes everything. I was supposed to go to my first Obama meeting tonight -- but screw that noise!
July 8, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I betcha Cindy really soils her fingernails personally tending to all those animals, mucking up after them and all? Do ya figure?
July 8, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
My cat, Mini-Morgoth, does not approve.
July 8, 2008 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's not forget what a great pet owner Mitt Romney was (is?) with that 10 hour trip with his poor dog in a kennel tethered to the roof of the car.
Right...makes perfect sense to me. (rolling eyes)
July 8, 2008 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
And I bet she's got a special apron she uses when she siphons that smelly water out of the tank to to freshly add water for the fish, carefully mixing up that replenished salt water herself to make sure the specific gravity is just so.
July 8, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
but what we really want to know is how the pets themselves will be voting.
July 8, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I ran across the following impertinent quote.
July 8, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Having seen the pics of Obama biking, my dog Augie would totally vote for him - Augs has way more fun chasing bikes than playing with other critters, anyway ;)
July 8, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dogs will be voting 'Obama' because it's easier to bark . . .
July 8, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like McCain's media buddies are going all out to give his campaign a bounce any way they can.
My dog resents the implication that I would ever support a Republican.
My cats resent the implication that I own them.
What a bunch of crap.
July 8, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not even Barney and Miss Beazley, cute as they are, can save bush's poll numbers from going down the toilet.
July 8, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I beginning to think that AP stands for
Absolutely Pathetic!
July 8, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg,
Can you ask the AP the actual question that they asked and post it somewhere? I can't find it online.
I wonder if they told people which of the candidates had pets and then asked the question.
July 8, 2008 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's my guess:
Do you prefer a President who has a pet a one who doesn't?
July 8, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Petless Obama vs. Clueless McCain.
July 8, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
"From an image standpoint, nothing humanizes a candidate more than seeing him lovingly dote on his pet or toss a ball around on the White House lawn," says American Kennel Club spokeswoman Lisa Peterson.
How many candidates have the opportunity to toss the ball around with their dog on the White House lawn?
July 8, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder how humanizing it is to see a candidate play fetch with one of the most worst presidents in our nation's history.
July 8, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
ONE of the worst?!
July 8, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
And how is someone from the Kennel Club such an expert of politics?
I mean, sure Bush might appoint her the head of FEMA, but other than that, she's being quoted about something she has absolutely no authority on.
July 8, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have polled all the pets in my house.
The three dogs are solidly behind Obama and wouldn't give McCain a leg hump.
The parrot is an opportunist sell-out and will vote for a cracker or fruit. (He's staying home in November)
July 8, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love that avatar!
You might wanna recheck that second declension genitive case, though:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vox_populi
July 8, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are correct. Vox populi was taken at the time. I prefer lingua sus anyway.
July 8, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Eerily similar response from my dog.
However, my cat volunteered to pee in all of the McCain wardrobes, closets, and dressers. Weird. Wonder what that means?
July 8, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I too polled my House Souls. The cat hissed when I asked if he would vote for McCain. I take that to mean a resounding NO.
My three parrots, all Conures, are into world domination. They are caucusing at the moment trying to figure out which answer will enable them to get a sunflower seed each. I suspect that they will go with whichever candidate offers them the better deal. That's it, they are staying in this November.
July 8, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fox News Alert: Key Demographic Favors McCain in Latest Poll. Osam..errr Obama Campaign Refuses to Comment
July 8, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
We used to have a pet Yak, but his shedding hair clogged up the vacuum. We now have a wildebeest, and he supports Obama.
July 8, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pets are a republican tradition. Bush loves his lapdog McCain.
July 8, 2008 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
But would the results have been the same if it were a push-poll with questions phrased thus:
As a pet owner would you be more or less likely to vote for John McCain if you knew that he'd had sexual relations with his pet, Coco the mutt?
a) More likely
B) Less Likely
C) The Same
D) I Don't Know
July 8, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good fucking god.
somebody get those people a kitten - for the love of heaven.
*sigh*
July 8, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain travels with his pet Chipmunk in his left cheek pouch. That is why I am switching my support to him. Who doesn't love a War Monger with a soft spot for pets.
July 8, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
My hamster reads the teleprompter better than John McCain. Seriously.
July 8, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does your hamster promise to balance the budget in four years, or eight?
July 8, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to admit that people's attitudes about pets is weird, and I have a cat of my own and I know I'm weird about him.
People - not just Americans - people - get absolutely enraged whenever an animal is mistreated - as they should. But you can mistreat a person and never get that kind of outrage. And I do it too. The only thing I can figure is that we know animals are at our mercy in ways people generally aren't.
July 8, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
The AP's really stretching, aren't they?
July 8, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did we really need another "poll" showing that a significant number of people is completely bonkers?
July 8, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, the AP thinks it's a story that Obama doesn't have a pet? When did pets become a political issue?
Guns are an issue, right?
How about a story that McCain doesn't own a gun? In fact, it appears as if the only time he's had a gun was when he was issued a sidearm in the military (which means even that one wasn't his). "On his campaign bus Friday morning, Mr. McCain told reporters that he does not own a gun, although he carried a pistol as a Navy pilot." The NYT political blog saved it for the very last sentence of this story: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/16/mccain-criticizes-obama-clinton-on-gun-control/
Thought this was an interesting part of the story -- another little piece of the puzzle that the AP overlooks:
"Mr. McCain, who was received with warm but not wild applause, has not always been a favorite of the country’s largest gun lobby, and was once branded by the group as 'one of the premier flag-carriers for enemies of the Second Amendment.'’’
July 8, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd be very interested to see the questions asked. I'd be willing to bet they had to tell the poll-ees first that McCain had pets & Obama doesn't. In other words, it's a push-poll.
By the way, the author's name: RANDOLPH E. SCHMID.
Are you sure that article's not from The Onion?
July 8, 2008 3:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Randolph E. Schmid is an AP "Science" writer. Sounds like the kind of "Science" W takes kindly to. Randy's probably a Bushco plant.
July 8, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Finally, AP convinces me to support McBush. Oh, wait I don't have a pet either. Am I less of an American?
July 8, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
None o' them fancy German shepherds or French poodles, neither. No flag pins, neither. Insted, git yorself wunna them big yeller dogs and stick a flagpole up his hine end. That thar's patriotic, dammit.
July 8, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Watch it, Porky...
July 8, 2008 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
better petless than witless!
July 8, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about someone suggesting that the McCain campaign use this Lightnin' Hopkins number. Do not tell them what it really means.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2yxnEIUrio
July 8, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama will win the election, move into the White House, and the nation will get a first puppy. The AP will be desperate for a picture of those kids playing with that dog.
July 8, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pet owners who don't know the difference between owning an animal and caring for one shouldn't be polled at all. They probably shouldn't even be allowed to vote.
July 8, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
The AP about Obama and animals. Somehow I'm sure this quote from that story didn't make into their McCain humming push poll, though:
One wishes they'd showed such concern back when they were supposed to be vetting to our animal-torturing President and Vice President is purely coincidental.
Btw, and here I thought we had too much time on our hands.
July 8, 2008 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Strike "is purely coincidental" *grumble grumble edit function grumble*
July 8, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well at least you didn't post what I did up thread: attitudes is...
I know better - honest to god I do and if I just had that preview option...
July 8, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL - I love that site -
It's not Icanhascheezeburger?, but it's great.
July 8, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, very funny. ;-)
July 8, 2008 5:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
What kind of pet? Perhaps, a snake, a rat, an old lizard? No self respecting Golden Retriever would be anything but a progressive Democrat. They are loyal, tolerant, forgiving, generous, live to serve, share, and exude kindness. GOP traits are selfish, me, me, me, judgemental types.
July 8, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
. . . and like Democrats, are invariably either frighteningly smart or breathtakingly, yet goodheartedly, dumb.
July 8, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
. . . and like Democrats, are invariably either frighteningly smart or breathtakingly, yet goodheartedly, dumb.
July 8, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Word, bro!
July 8, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
. . . and like Democrats, are invariably either frighteningly smart or breathtakingly, yet goodheartedly, dumb.
July 8, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, seriously. WTF is going on with this place today?
July 8, 2008 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Next up, the AP reports on rumors that Obama doesn't have pets because he tortured them to death and buried them in his back yard -- right next to the little white Christian babies that he and Rev. Wright sacrified to Allah.
It's only a matter of time, folks.
July 8, 2008 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
In Vermont's 1998 governor's race, Howard Dean ran against Ruth Dwyer. Ruth was a vicious Republican who supported the "Take Back Vermont" movement, which wanted to stop civil unions, among other arcane ideas. She had 6 golden retrievers on her ranch, which she dearly loved and hung around with, especially after losing the election.
July 8, 2008 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Uh, that should be archaic, not arcane.
July 8, 2008 6:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
My household votes...Midgie..the cat is for Obama because she is an independent and Stella.. my dog is true blue for Obama!
the bears(frequent visitors) go for who will endorse the blueberry bushes!
July 8, 2008 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sargent, I suppose, can't be blamed for appearing to be in a deep, defensive crouch on this story. The "real" issue discussions are so problematic these days. Let's attack something we consider to be REALLY stupid and demonstrably irrelevant and inconsequential!
Sadly for Sargent, Obama's kids, and various animals out there who COULD have had a nice, upper-class existence all this time, the issue of pets in the house reveals a great deal about people, and can fuel speculation, that, believe me, can sway many votes.
Two little girls and not even a freaking HAMSTER or a FISH? There is really no excuse. Give me a good reason. Allergies? No, because he's promised a dog, finally (to look cute in the WH???).
Let me guess. Michelle thinks they're dirty.
Believe me, this is what's going on in the minds of real, thinking, smart people who see this story. It has meaning. To me, it is not at all surprising. It SHOULD surprise and disappoint YOU though.
July 8, 2008 6:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Malia, his oldest daughter, has severe allergies. They are getting a hypoallergenic dog after the campaign.
Michelle Obama has mentioned this several times. She also brought it up when she was on the View
July 8, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you ever speak to Lisa Patterson of the AKC, she will also justify Puppy Mills, and defend the AKC's right to make millions off of Dog Breeding Concentration Camps.
Obama is is probably the ONE Senator who has come out and spoken against Puppy Mills. A very brave stance. The Humane Society approves of him.
Also, why does McCain have 12 dogs? Is he a hoarder?
Responsible pet guardianship begins with knowing when you are ready to bring an animal into your home. More folks should learn from the Obama's and maybe they wouldn't be dumping their dogs at shelters.
July 8, 2008 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
What did Obama say about puppy mills? And how would it make him "brave" to speak out against them? PLEASE explain this. Please indicate what the Humane Society says about him.
Is McCain a hoarder? If you could ask the dogs, they would say, shit, if he's a hoarder, we need more hoarders! Please look up "hoarder" on the Humane Society site, okay?
From what I can tell about the Obamas and their not having pets is some people are selfish.
July 8, 2008 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just cuz McCain needs a dog around to beat so he does not run about screaming and cursing his wife in public . . .
File this story under 'OMFG, Americans are fucking stupid.'
July 8, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
File this story under 'OMFG, Americans are fucking stupid.'
Posted by Richard L. Adlof
===================
Just the sort of remark that would make Obama proud, and his wife ecstatic. Obama has more to fear from his supporters than those of his opponent.
July 8, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Malia, his oldest daughter, has severe allergies. They are getting a hypoallergenic dog after the campaign. This poll is so stupid. It is obvious that AP would leave out that tidbit in the information.
July 8, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, crap. Anybody seen a picture of JSM with any of his kids? Ok, yeah, were they saluting?
'course, my cats bow down before me and meow the minute I get home. I'm their leader. Then they stretch the hind limbs...when I give the signal.
July 8, 2008 11:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
How do we know that the pets belong to John McCain?
Show us the prenuptial agreement!
July 9, 2008 12:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Malia, his oldest daughter, has severe allergies. They are getting a hypoallergenic dog after the campaign. This poll is so stupid. It is obvious that AP would leave out that tidbit in the information.
Posted by Obamagal
===============
Document this, please. If you can't, maybe AP couldn't either.
July 9, 2008 12:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Every question I've asked tonight has gone unanswered. Lots of bun, no meat. That's what ya get when we're down to apologists, acolytes, righties and hangers-on. And all about an issue that ya'll claim isn't one.
It IS an issue, if you can't defend it.
July 9, 2008 1:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I believe you sir or madam are a Republican operative, sent directly from McCain himself. I say you are an astroturfer for his campaign, and that all my arguments are valid.
If you don't (or can't) answer my allegations with substantial proof to my satisfaction, then this IS an issue, and I call you a McCain apologist, an unholy acolyte, and.. and... , btw, do you own a reptile? If not, then you are selfish to boot, as reptiles need love too. Even McCain.
Casey451. Logical Failure in central McCain Stright Talk Express Bus Driver.
July 9, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Guess you missed the response about his older daughter having severe allergies, trollwad.
July 9, 2008 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
I will only trust a politician who owns a pet AND sticks an American flag pin on their pet's butt. It's the only way to make sure America is safe.
July 9, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain carries a stuck in the headlights monkey with him wherever he goes (C
July 9, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain carries a "stuck in the headlights" monkey with him wherever he goes (Cindy). And just how much quality TIME does he actually spend with his animals?
This article is irrelevant, because animals cannot vote.
But McCain did pick up a HUGE endorsement (I'm not making this up - it came from the AP wire) from his N. Vietnamese captors who referred to his cooperation during "songbird's" incarceration.
I can see it in the headlines now:
N. Vietnamese Endorse John "McCollaborating" McCain for President.
Now that's an endorsement!
July 9, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love pets; I personally have a dog and cat. However, I still support Obama. Would never pick a presidential candidates just cause they had a pet. That's absurd.
Pet Tags
April 2, 2011 12:02 AM | Reply | Permalink