Promised First Dog May Be 'a Mutt, Like Me': Obama

With daughter's allergies, choice of pooch will be 'a major issue,' president-elect grins

By M. Morris, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 7, 2008 4:05 PM CST

(Newser) – Of all the pressing questions looming before the Obama administration, one is dominating discourse at water coolers, around dinner tables, and even on the president-elect's website: What kind of dog are Malia and Sasha getting? The president-elect's first press conference today quickly turned to the family pet, which he laughingly called a “major issue,” CBS News reports.

“We have two criteria that have to be reconciled,” said Obama—Malia's allergies, which make knowing the dog's background an issue, and the family's desire to adopt a shelter animal. “A lot of shelter dogs are mutts, like me,” he explained. “So, whether we are going to be able to balance those two things I think is a pressing issue on the Obama household.”

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama pats a dog as he campaigns in Holland, Ohio, Oct. 12, 2008. (AP Photo)

A woman and her dog pass an image of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., displayed in a store front in Philadelphia, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Pet-lovers nationwide are sure to have an opinion about what kind of dog the Obamas choose to bring to the White House. (AP Photo)

President-elect Obama and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm laugh when Obama was asked what kind of dog his family going to get, during a news conference in Chicago today. (AP Photo)

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Promised First Dog May Be 'a Mutt, Like Me': Obama

With daughter's allergies, choice of pooch will be 'a major issue,' president-elect grins

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White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

Barack Obama: Luckiest Man Alive?

It certainly appears so, based on re-election prospects: Dana Milbank

Now Obama Gives Blessing to Democratic Super PAC

President switches position so as not to give GOP the advantage

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Promised First Dog May Be 'a Mutt, Like Me': Obama

With daughter's allergies, choice of pooch will be 'a major issue,' president-elect grins

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Barack Obama • allergy • dog • Malia Obama • Sasha Obama • President Obama • pet allergies

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

Barack Obama: Luckiest Man Alive?

It certainly appears so, based on re-election prospects: Dana Milbank

Now Obama Gives Blessing to Democratic Super PAC

President switches position so as not to give GOP the advantage

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Newser By Users

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