Politics

Bark for Barack: Obama campaign courts ‘pet lovers’

Alexis Levinson Political Reporter
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Does your dog “bark for Barack”? If he does, there’s now a Facebook group (and a campaign button) for you.

The Obama campaign began targeting an oft-ignored demographic on Monday, creating “Pet Lovers for Obama,” a Facebook group for people whose pets love Obama as much as they do.

On the page, pet lovers can purchase an “I bark for Barack” magnet for their car, featuring Bo, the Obama family’s Portuguese Water Dog.

Others can post pictures of the way their own dog, cat or fish (so far these are the only members of the animal kingdom represented) shows its support for the president. For instance, Paul Anka, a Betta fish, proudly displays an “I bark for Barack” button in his tank — inability to bark not withstanding. Fraternal twin cats Max and Maddie sport “Cats for Obama” collars. Dakota the dog gets walked on an Obama 2012 leash.

In the spirit, Obama adviser David Axelrod tweeted a photo on Tuesday of Bo riding with the president in the motorcade en route to PetSmart for some Christmas shopping.

“How loving owners transport their dogs,” Axelrod tweeted with the picture. ABC points out that this is a jab at former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who once transported his dog in a very different manner: Strapping him to the roof of the car in his dog carrier as the family drove from Boston to Ontario, Canada.

If the Republican candidates want to enter the fray and fight Obama for the support of this crucial demographic, The Daily Caller has some suggestions. For Romney: “I ruff for Romney,” or maybe even “I ride on roofs for Romney.” “I slobber for Santorum” is the obvious choice for the former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Supporters of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich could display an “I growl for Gingrich” sticker. And Ron Paul — ever the odd man out — should take a different route and aim for the cat lover’s vote with, “I purr for Paul.”

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