There’s going to be a new puppy in the White House! 

The Pre-Ramble: Yup – President Elect Obama told those darling daughters, Sasha and Malia, that they could have a new puppy when they got to the White House. He said it out loud in front of a couple million people, so there’s really no turning back.

The tradition of pets in the White House began with George Washington who apparently received a dog named “Vulcan” as a gift from Revolutionary War hero, Marguis de Lafayette. Most recently, of course, George W’s “Barney” graced the White House lawn … preceeded by the Clinton’s “Buddy” … and before that, Barbara Bush’s best-selling author, “Millie.” Other lessor known first canines include Herbert Hoover’s “King Tut,” Richard Nixon’s “Checkers,” Jimmy Carter’s “Grits” and James Garfield’s ”Veto.” Margaret Truman had an Irish Setter named “Mike.”

The Possibilities: This begs the question, what kind of dog will be appointed to the 44th Presidential Household? Have potential candidates been campaigning for the position? Patriotic Pet Tricks, perhaps? Do we bring in 10 or 20 dogs and vote one off every week? Somehow, I’m not seeing Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and despite the charming literary characterization of “Karl the Dog,” a big ol’ rottweiler doesn’t feel right either. A Rhodesian ridgeback would cut a fine figure around the White House, and bred to tree lions out on safari, they could work foreign affairs when needed (think Medvedev out on a limb in the Rose Garden). The smart and agile border collie could run back and forth across the aisle, herding all manner of stray creatures. A fiesty, cute-as-a-button beagle would bring a lot of energy to the party, but the howling and barking every time the doorbell rings may grow tiresome. A couple of labs and a tennis ball would have a field day on the National Mall and could shred documents in their down time. The downside here is, while labs are rambunctiously wonderful, they have a knack for getting into the trash. The last thing we need is coffee grounds and bacon grease all over the oval office.

Clearly, there are a number of appealing options. According to a report by the BBC, Michelle Obama is advocating for a rescue animal and a recent survey by the American Kennel Club selected a “pedigree poodle” for the First Family. Tamar Geller, a California-based celebrity dog life-coach, “is confident that the Obamas will choose a rescue dog.” (For my tax dollars, a “celebrity dog life-coach” makes Sarah Palin’s Neiman Marcus tab look pretty tame.) Early polling shows that the Obama’s dog may, in fact, be a rescue “goldendoodle” – a non-shedding part golden retriever, part poodle, meaning less likelihood of allergens for sensitive humans and less fur flying in Air Force One. 

The Take-Away: There’s no real take-away from this little romp; the good news is there’s probably already a doggie-door in the White House and enough room in the federal budget for a bonus bag of rawhide bones. Whatever the top choice, we’ll want to vet the options thoroughly to make sure there are no scandals buried out back. I’d also strongly recommend beefing up security with an Invisible Fence. Daisy received a zapper collar for Christmas last year (see above) and has not roamed out of the yard since. (I’m thinking that this may have been useful during the Clinton administration, although a rolled up newspaper to the snout may have been just as effective… on Bill, not Buddy - you should never hit a dog with a newspaper.)

The Pre-Ramble: Just one more day until it’s officially time to vote. Phew!  It would be an understatement to say that this election season has been a unique and wild ride. Campaigns have been playing the ultimate game of political dodgeball as new personalities, technologies, and formats force candidates to engage with John and Jane Q. Public in new and unconventional ways.

Ever since 1992, when Slick Willy played “Heartbreak Hotel” on his golden ax on The Arsenio Hall Show, the self-important traditional media has increasingly found themselves standing on the sidelines as Comedy Central and Late Night serve up the candidates’ latest spin. Spit-polished political hopefuls squirm in their chairs alongside the night’s Top Ten and hot young actress du jour, trying to engage the viewing electorate with clever self-effacing banter. Forget Charlie Gibson - candidates are chewing their nails in the green room waiting to test their metal in a verbal cage match with the gals on The View. (I’ve never actually seen The View, but from what I’ve heard, it sounds like a pretty scary scenario.) And,“Live, from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”  … These words, spoken at the end of the coveted SNL opening skit, are now the solid gold standard for political street cred. This season everyone from Hillary Clinton to Sarah Palin has appeared on the show. Frankly, some of the candidates play better than others in the hip, “watch-me-make-an-ass-out-of-myself” venue. One of the candidates, who shall remain nameless (and likely un-inaugurated), came across significantly older and less presidential than he might have imagined.  

The Point: In addition to the entertainment factor, what I like most about this political season, that seems different from years past, is that somewhere along the line someone gave us all permission to drop the ton of political apathy that was hanging around our collective psyche and let us be genuinely excitied about the political process. Commentator/comedian D.L. Hughley and his guest, the Reverend Al Sharpton, sat on CNN the other night talking about how historic and giddy the whole thing really is. This year there is a palpable sense of energy and unity, a kind of pride in our country and the possibility for real change that hasn’t been out there in a long time (if ever). 

An article on the front page of Sunday’s New York Times (11/2/08) describes the new brand of engagement with the political process, “… Across the country, black men and women who have long been disaffected, apolitical, discouraged or just plain bored with politics say they have snapped to attention this year.” Sure, there’s the black/white thing, but it feels like way more than that.  Among the folks interviewed in the article, Brooklyn bartender, Timothy Hairston, 47, who has never voted before put it this way,

“I wanted to be a part of a historical moment…to say that I was an active participant as opposed to someone on the sidelines rooting for change but not involved in the process of making change. I think it’s a testament to [Barack's] campaign that he can inspire. At the end of the day, no matter what party you vote for, I think every once in a while there are inspirational moments that call for people to wake up from their deep sleep and become involved.” 

No matter your political stripes, this election is about something fundamental to our heritage as Americans. The tone of this election invites every American to reengage with their civic privilege and responsibility. It invites us to step up, individually and collectively, to be engaged, to do what we can given our gifts, to make our community, our country, and our world a better place. Most of all, it inspires individuals to take themselves, their lives, and the potential they have, the inherent right that they have to a point of view, seriously. This election invites every American to take action, to lift up their voice and reach for the hopes and dreams they have for themselves and for their children. This election represents a new patriotism for a new time.

The Take-Away: It is an honor and a privilege (and unbelievably awesome) to be able to stand among our fellow Americans at this decisive moment in history and have a role to play in the outcome.

Nuff said (I’m getting a little bit of vertigo up here on the soapbox…) – LET’S GO VOTE!