Checkers Day

Today is September 23, and according to the Crazy Calendar, it is National Dogs in Politics Day.  It's also known as Checkers Day.  And why is it called that?  Well on this day in 1952, Vice Presidential candidate, Richard Nixon gave a famous speech - during which he mentioned his dog Checkers.  It seems Nixon was embroiled in some campaign spending controversy (sound familiar?), so he gave a speech to defend his spending.  And some say that what MAY have actually saved his campaign was the fact that in his speech he mentioned that no matter what happened as a result of the controversy,  his daughters were keeping a black and white Cocker Spaniel puppy that was a gift from a campaign supporter in Texas.  After the speech, he stayed on the ticket and he and Eisenhower won the election - with Nixon serving as Vice President.  Obviously there were a LOT of dog loving voters.  Checkers never actually got to live at the White House because he went to the Rainbow Bridge 4 years before Nixon became President himself.  Tricky Dicky DID have dogs in the White House, though, including an Irish Setter named Timbone, a Yorkie named Pasha and a Poodle named Vicky.  So there you have it.  Whether you liked Nixon or not, he couldn't have been ALL bad - he OBVIOUSLY liked dogs.

I've decided to abandon my own Presidential campaign.  I realize I have a pretty good chance of winning as it seems nobody is truly enamored by either candidate.  But it' s SUCH a circus, I really don't want to get into it.  Plus I like living where I do, and I'm not sure the White House would be ready for Elroy.  IMAGINE how much Bitter Apple we would need in THAT place.  

Some humans say they won't even bother voting this year.  But that's not a good idea - it's a right if you are a citizen.  And if you can't decide...check to see which candidate owns a dog.  That might help.

Happy Friday everyone!  Let the weekend begin!