Tensions Erupt Over White House Puppy Appointment

Top political analyst Al Giordano of The Field is breaking the following story out of Chicago:

George Stephanopoulos' report last week on ABC that the Obama family had secretly met with "Rex" at the Hyde Park Humane Society Kennel has touched off a firestorm of conflicting reports, rumor, gossip, innuendo, drama and questions about whether the young golden retriever could be vetted in time for Inauguration Day next January 20.



President-elect Barack Obama had, on the night of November 4, issued a vague set of promises involving "change" to his two daughters, Sasha and Malia, that they had earned a new puppy that would be coming with them to the White House. But serious questions remained as to what kind of puppy, from what region of country, whether it would be a mutt (the president-elect's personal choice) or hold a pedigree, and its level of experience at tackling the tough White House challenges ahead.



Rex declined to return calls from this reporter, directing us to the Transition Team, which declined to respond. But speculation swirled across Washington today about the implications of the rumors.



"Barney, the lame duck dog of the Bush White House, leaves heavy paw prints to fill," two Democratic Party sources told Andrea Mitchell of NBC. "It is unknown whether the puppy to be chosen by the Obamas will be able to tackle the challenges of knowing which members of the White House press corps to bite, where the bones are buried in the Rose Garden, and solving the Middle East peace process."



The New York Times reported earlier this week that Malia Obama had officially offered the job to Rex. The Guardian then published a story stating that Rex had agreed to the position. But now tensions have erupted between the Rex and the Obama camps over a constant stream of leaks, and a high placed source reveals that Michelle Obama is concerned that those leaks could continue to trickle over the carpet in the Oval Office come January.

This is a critical look at a nation in transition, and a prime example of the kind of fearless pet writing journalism we like to promote here at Pet Connection. Don't miss it.



Updated with President-elect Barack Obama's brilliant speech about the puppy -- trust me and watch it. You will shed tears, I promise.

Comments

[PBurns]

Rex? I know that dog, and he's a complete son of bitch. First thing he'll do is stain the floors, and in 9 months he'll be trying to hump Michelle's leg behind Barack's back. Forewarned is forearmed; You can't trust a Golden. They'll steal your heart.



P.

[KelliAmanda]

Okay, I know there are far more important things going on right now in the world, but that was pretty damn cute. I can't help it...I'm looking forward to finding out who's been selected for "first dog."

[EmilyS]

I am so totally dreading the flood of "vetting the candidate" puns...

[Christie Keith]

I just updated this post with a hysterically funny video about the puppy...

[Gina Spadafori]

There was one on "The Colbert Report" last night.



Except ... why do people (Colbert included) pronounce "vet-ehr-in-AIR-ee-uhn" as "vet-NAIR-ee-uhn"?



Makes me mild crazy, it does.

[The OTHER Pat]

The latest cover of "The New Yorker":



http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/magazines/covering_barack_the_new_yorker_vets_the_presidentelect_101967.asp?c=rss