Romney’s Dog on the Roof, Remembered: The Campaign Sideshow in S.C. and N.H
EmailFor those who thought Iowa, with its odd caucuses and endless cornfields, was quirky, check out New Hampshire and South Carolina. As the GOP candidates descend on the next two primary states today, the Granite and Palmetto states churned up some rather unusual welcome signs.
Greeting Mitt Romney at a campaign stop in South Carolina today was a stuffed-animal dog pinned to a dog cage that was pinned to the roof of a van. A Romney protester stood nearby with a sign that read “Dogs Against Romney.”
ABC’s Emily Friedman tweeted this photo of the protester:
Image Credit: Emily Friedman/ABC
The spectacle was an obvious play off a Boston Globe story that ran during Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign that detailed a Romney-family road trip 25 years ago. Before embarking on the annual drive from Boston to the family’s cabin in Ontario, Canada, Romney apparently strapped the dog carrier, with family dog Seamus inside, to the roof of his car for the duration of the 12-hour drive.
Seamus, an Irish setter, retaliated for the less-than-ideal placement by going to the bathroom on the roof and down the back window of the family’s station wagon.
The story outraged animal activists and pet owners, landing Romney in hot water during his last bid for the White House.
While unusual roof decorations turned heads in South Carolina, it was an uncommon car decoration that caught attention in New Hampshire.
ABC’s Jake Tapper spotted this hand-painted, van-side greeting for Rick Santorum at a campaign event in the Granite State today.
Jake Tapper/ABC
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As an animal lover and pet owner, I know that we don’t like to leave our pet at home, and we would like the pet to share in our holiday experience such as a camping or cottage trip.
In this instance, due to the crowding of the station wagon, it appears to me that they could only accommodate their pet in a secured animal carrier affixed to the roof.
We know that animals can be safely transported in such carriers.
While pets do endure some stress on the journey, I know that my dog would rather be with us on a holiday to a cottage – where he can run around and have fun – rather than be cooped up at a kennel by himself.
Therefore, provided that it is safe to do so, in my view as a pet lover, I would probably do the same thing, and transport the animal on the roof, rather than leave him at the kennel – not out of expedience but the pet’s ultimate happiness in sharing the holiday experience with the family.
Posted by: Animal Lover | January 5, 2012, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
Really?? Strapped to the roof of a car for TWELVE HOURS going 100km/hr?? What if there was a car accident? That poor dog would have had no chance at survival, none. Obviously the dog was extremely terrified as he used the bathroom in his crate which dogs never do when they are HAPPY!! I realize my dog would rather be with me than in a kennel but if I could not provide a SAFE means to bring him with me I would leave him home with family members or friends. it seems to me that the Romney’s were very selfish. They wanted the dog with them and were willing to TORTURE him to achieve their end goal. I am not a fan of PETA. I do not believe they are a friend to dogs (or cats). I wouldn’t normally hold this against a person, after all, it happened 25 years ago BUT he is not the least bit apologetic. If he had of realized his mistake and learned from it okay but he hasnt at all claiming PETA doesnt like him because his dog liked fresh air. I guess to him the ends always justify the means.
Posted by: Corriebeth | January 7, 2012, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm
Sorry but strapping a dog to the top of the car to drive from Boston to Canada going 60+ miles an hour is not acceptable. If the van was crowded they could have taken turns holding Seamus across their laps. How could Romney drive for miles with diarrhea dripping down the back window without stopping to see whether the dog was sick? That’s heartless. A DOG IS NOT A SUITCASE! Where’s the highway patrol when you need them?
Posted by: Alice | January 8, 2012, 3:02 am 3:02 am
Animal lover, please tell me you don’t really own a dog, cat or any other animal. Beyond that, I can’t even respond to your reasoning, it’s just too scary!
Posted by: Quinnsmom | January 8, 2012, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
MUTTS FOR MITT!!!!!!!
Help hose down PETA!!! Jump on the station wagon and join the “Poop on America 2012″ campaign today!!!!
By late summer, very American will be laughing about Mitt’s long ago vacation from hell before this year is out, simply because it is one of the few weird, interesting things about his life. Amazing that strapping a dog to the roof of a car will become the defining personal trait of a presidential candidate.
Posted by: A. Hick | January 9, 2012, 5:51 am 5:51 am
One word, Chappaquiddick; as the Media continues to recycle this Boston Globe story over and over, it’s wise to consider Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick, because the life of Mary Jo Kopechne being lost never dissuaded the Globe from endorsing Kennedy, not once.
The dog’s discomfort – That rates a deep psychological examination into Romney’s fitness to lead. A DUI manslaughter and subsequent whitewash by local authorities… upon reflection what did the Globe and MSM outlets think about that every six years? Unfortunate? Not enough facts? Best not spoken about?
The hypocrisy is staggering.
Posted by: Chris | January 9, 2012, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
What insensitive, heartless Romney did to his dog is nothing compared to what happens to innocent animal victims in laboratories. Let’s face it, we live in a non-compassionate society at the least and a cruel one at most. Let’s use some of the energy we’re now directing against Romney to help raise awareness of the captive animals in laboratories, fighting rings, etc. better to light a candle than curse the darkness. .
Posted by: Sharon Azar | January 25, 2012, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm
This is hilarious! I can just see the dog in his kennel peeing down the back of the car.
Dear Mitt. He’s such a cutie. He needs a more, um, emphatic wife.
Posted by: Ellen | February 2, 2012, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm