The dogs of President Clinton
When Bill Clinton and his family moved into the White House, Socks the cat was the only pet they brought.
But during his second term of office, possibly to serve as a distraction from the news of the day, the Clintons acquired a dog, Buddy.
The news of the time would include the cigar, the stain on that blue dress from The Gap, Monica Lewinsky, lying to a grand jury, having his law license suspended, impeachment, bombing an aspirin factory in Sudan, and uncertainty about what the meaning of the word “is” is.
It was believed by those who believe such things that a dog would distract public attention and help to rehabilitate the President’s image.
Buddy was a chocolate Labrador Retriever, carefully chosen to project the right image for the President. The Lab has been the most popular dog in the US for many years. Buddy is one of the most popular dog names. Chocolate brown photographs well against dark Presidential suits, but doesn’t draw attention away from the human the way the color gold would.
Many photos and stories were carried about Buddy, even including his feud with Socks the cat.
Unfortunately, Buddy was not a distraction for very long. Some people convinced the President that as a conscientious dog owner, he should have Buddy neutered.
And that brought the whole thing back, as some people started thinking —”maybe the wrong…”
Oh, you’re way ahead of me on this, aren’t you?
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It wasn't Buddy that needed to be nuetered....
Posted by: Diamond Emerald-Eyes | January 29, 2008 at 12:57 PM
::GROAN::
Posted by: Fuzzy Logic | January 29, 2008 at 01:13 PM
This is a real contrast to Pres. Kennedy in the last post. I think Clinton missed trying to be like kennedy in a lot of ways even tho he tryed.
Posted by: george ryan | January 29, 2008 at 01:58 PM
I wonder what pets Obama has.
Posted by: Julie | January 29, 2008 at 04:01 PM
We didn't know that Clinton had a dog. It is to bad that Buddy was being used.. We certainly are glad that dogs don't understand and are very happy just being dogs...
Louie is at the Vet today getting nuetered.. I am really sad....Gus
Posted by: Gus and Louie | January 29, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Poor Buddy....I think the original Buddy was hit by a car in upper-ritzy NY. I actually bought the book Dear Socks, Dear Buddy. It is an adorable book....so was the blue dress from the Gap.
Posted by: rosemary | January 29, 2008 at 05:08 PM
You're really wicked, you know? lololol
Posted by: jayne d'Arcy | January 29, 2008 at 05:15 PM
I wonder whatever happened to that dog...
Posted by: Saint Lover | January 29, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Hmmmmm........... I got my dog because I instantly fell in love with a puppy. A year later.... I told hubby I loved him almost as much as the dog.... ummm....OF COURSE I WAS KIDDING>...
Really... I was kidding! We both laughed because I LOVE this dog a lot!
lol
:-)Beth
Posted by: Around The Funny Farm | January 29, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Not much more to say, other than BRAVO to you!
Posted by: BunGirl | January 29, 2008 at 09:13 PM
It's amazing to think that so much politics can come into the simple selection of a pet.
Posted by: Tracey | January 30, 2008 at 03:33 AM
Thanks for the laugh. Boy that dog is cute.
Posted by: Marsha | January 30, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Wait, what happened to the cat?
Posted by: Matt | January 30, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Matt,
As I understand, the cat was left with a staff member when the Clintons moved out of the White House. Sadly Buddy was hit by a car at the new home in New York State.
Posted by: jan | January 30, 2008 at 10:21 AM
It was originally Chelsea's cat, but it was forced to live in the basement of the White House. They gave Socks to Betty, Bill's receptionist (the one who sneaked Monica into the Oval Office).
Posted by: cube | January 30, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Is tomorrow's post going to be about Barney & Miss Beazly? ;-)
Posted by: cube | January 30, 2008 at 11:15 AM
You have to admit,Chocolate Labs do make you feel all warm and fuzzy,and are a lot less frightening than some of the pets Bush is so fond of frolicking with...Like the First Infantry Division.
Posted by: sling | January 30, 2008 at 06:20 PM
Wonder what dog they'd choose for me, if I ever become President? ;-)
I'd very much like a Dachshund or 3.
Posted by: Chandira | January 31, 2008 at 02:45 PM
huh huuuuh...
yeah, too bad we couldn't have had him clipped..no need to do that to bush..no one wants to fuk him anyhow..
Posted by: jackiesue | January 31, 2008 at 10:11 PM
I have to say that I really liked having Bill Clinton as President. So he had a little fling! Look what the President we have now has done to our country!
Barron
Posted by: Barron | February 01, 2008 at 02:27 AM
Great blog entry at the Baltimore Sun's Mutts - about the Presidential candidates & their pets: Who will be the next First Pet?
And: Obama - no pets!
Posted by: Julie | February 11, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Haha, I think jakiesue said it right. So what if he had a little fling. At least that fling didn't cost trillions of dollars to defend!
Posted by: Kevin | July 05, 2008 at 03:53 PM
My brother's friend was the one who ran over the dog!
Posted by: Alice | March 22, 2009 at 06:09 PM