Romney: 'My dog likes fresh air'

Posted: Friday, June 29, 2007 12:49 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Republicans, 2008

From NBC's Mark Murray

Per WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh: "Romney answered questions about a Boston Globe feature story that mentions how he strapped his dog's cage, with the animal inside, to the top of his family's car during a 12-hour road trip 24 years ago. He said Thursday that the pet enjoyed the experience, and he took a shot at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a group that has labeled his actions as cruelty."

"You know, PETA has not been my fan over the years," Romney said. "PETA has been after me for having a rodeo at the Olympics and were very, very upset about that. PETA was after me when I went quail hunting in Georgia. And PETA is not happy that my dog likes fresh air."

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Comments

He's imitating Bush's "I'm a real man. I can't help offending those sensitive types" schtick. I'm sure it appeals to the old Bushies...all of 20% of the population.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 1:01 PM)

Y'all laughed at me yesterday when I told ya this story had legs, lol. Romney's response to it isn't as polished as I would have hoped for. First, bringing up the Georgia trip just reminds everyone that it was this seasoned hunter's second time out. Second, the whole dog thing is too strange to pass it off as the pup liking fresh air. He would have been better off not responding to the Boston Globe. Dogs are almost like kids, politically, in that they are nearly sacrosanct. Run over a cat... and the animal should have known better than to sleep there. Do anything to a dog and you're numbers start to drop.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 1:08 PM)

This guy's just weird !! THAT'S the Republican front runner ???

Sierra, San Francisco (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 1:19 PM)

I don't see anything wrong with it. Now a cat would be different.

Russell in Maryland (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 1:20 PM)

Romney is pure sleaze-ball...."My dog likes fresh air". You have to be a complete and utter moron to say that. Yeah when he running around the backyard.
Instead of admitting doing an assinine/cruel thing to your pet 24 years ago;he does the typical politician song and dance and/or rationalizing. Bill Clinton was seen by the right wing as Sleek Willie...YEAH COME AGAIN.

juan,ft. lauderdale,fl (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 1:28 PM)

Amy:You will be reminded that the last two elections hinged on less than one tenth,of one percent, of the voting population.[hence,the sound and fury in Ohio and Florida].Indeed,congressional races in 06 came down to less than a few hundred votes as the differance between getting a seat or going home.This ''20%''can hardly be afforded to be blithely tossed away and all of the candidates,GOP and Dem,know this.Hillary and the other Dems are soon going to be confronted with the dreaded[to these]spectre of the Electoral College,which means no more hanging with the limosine liberals of Bay Area and Southern California,New England,or the Glakes states.They will be forced to turn South and east of the Sierras,east of the Rockies.Here is where things will get interesting as though on cue,Hillary will turn the wheel back to the right.

Lee Holmes (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 1:30 PM)

The question for Romney now is "how often did you do this to your dog?" In the Washington Post article today, he said in reply to the controversy:

"He scrambled up there every time we went on trips," Romney said at a campaign stop in Pittsburgh Thursday. "He got it all by himself and enjoyed it."

Every time? This wasn't one bad day of decision making. This is how Romney always transported his dog. Which makes the situation worse.

Each time Romney opens his mouth, he digs in deeper.

Keep talking, Romney.

Lynn Stevens (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 1:31 PM)

Sierra, weird is right! Who are the rest of the republicans running? Is there not some old man from Arizona running too?

Sidney, Pa (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 1:41 PM)

What's wrong with putting the dog's cage on top of the car. Wouldn't you rather complain about the cruel treatment of the children? They have to stay buckled into a seat and can't move for the entire trip.

John, Orem, Utah (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 1:54 PM)

What kind of weirdo straps their dog in a cage to the top of the family car for even a short trip? Is this guy touched or what? If this guy can't show good judgement with his own dog what kind of judgement will he show as president of the united states? I am going to shift into a statement I don't normally make and wonder about the good judgement of his wife. Then again, maybe she doesn't have much say about anything in the Romney household. Either way, this relevation really pegs out the creepy scale.

This goes back to my much earlier statement that running for president has become so toxic to most people that only the second tier politicians or rampaging idealists bother to enter the race any longer. You only need to look at the slate of presidential candidates in 2000 and 2004 to realize that statement has a ring of truth. I don't think any american can honestly say that any of the candidates in either party gives off the feeling of hope and competance

dave, matteson, il (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 1:55 PM)

Please stop whatever you're doing and google Wonkette.
Great article on there yesterday about Mitt Romney and how he'd make a great Commander in Chief (of Abu Ghraib) something about when it comes to torturing dogs and tramautizing children nobody does it better. It's an absolute riot.

jeani o, saint inigoes md (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 1:57 PM)

As a child I often rode in the rumble seat of my Dad's antique car. It was loads of fun in parades or leisurely Sunday drives around town. Out on the highway was a different story; at certain speeds and/or wind direction there were times when it was hard to breathe. My brothers and I would get clear down on the floor to get out of the wind. I don't think the dog had that option.

Mel, Illinois (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 2:01 PM)

Your comments are so lame. How many dogs have you seen sticking their face out the window on the freeway, tongue wagging the whole time? They love it. My dog REFUSES to get in the truck cab - ALWAYS wants the back of the pickup. He then voluntarily sticks his face out the side to be in the wind. To try to use this story to project tales of cruelty just screams MORONIC. I guess you know you have a strong candidate when this is the only dirt you have on a candidate. The irony is that instead of pets, you people would prefer to put our children at risk who are white house interns by putting pedophile Billary back in the white house.

Bryan, Boston MA (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 2:07 PM)

Ever see a dog with it's head out of the window of a car or truck? They love it! I have a dog, and by the wag of his tail and the expression on his face I know he loves a brisk ride as well. Stop playing politics poeple. There is nothing to this story. I'd be more conserned about whether the guy believes in the constitution and the rule of law. Seems not many in Washington are!

Ed Fisher Seabeck, Wash. (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 2:10 PM)

Look, There are seven people in this station wagon. Tagg, the oldest is crammed in the back with the luggage. What is Mitt to do if the kids want the dog along? Strap one of the boys to the roof? Put the dog in a suffocating U-Haul trailer behind the car? I suppose you would prefer they lock the dog in an inhumane cramped wire dog kennel for a month where it can't get any fresh air? Mitt actually went above what most would do and made a windshield for the dog. I've never seen a dog not enjoy the wind by sticking their muzzle out the car window. People will fuss about anything to show they wouldn't vote for Romney anyway.

David, Tucson, Arizona (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 2:12 PM)

PETA should take his dog, kill it, and illegally dump it in a shopping center dumpster. Live that one down PETA

Dave, Tn (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 2:27 PM)

I still find the comparison to a dog sticking his head out the window amusing. The difference, of course, is that the dog can pull his head back IN if he is bothered by the air. When he is on top of the car, he cannot do that. And how often did they stop to check on the pooch? Some people hate to make stops...

Carrie, NW Iowa (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 2:30 PM)

pedophile? Bryan are you really Ann Coulter? Fess up. The irony is that it was Romney who appeared at a fundraiser a couple of days ago at the home of a multi-millionaire who persecuted a newspaper and the reporters for revealing a cover-up of pedophiles molesting and raping Boy Scouts. Just google pedophile vandersloot "post register" romney.

Russell in Maryland (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 2:44 PM)

Is this the best they could find?

Bush Republican (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 2:47 PM)

To Dave in TN,
Yawn!!!!

B (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 2:49 PM)

i'm always amazed when people rush to defend the indefensible. this story and its repercussions simply illustrate that mr romney makes bad decisions. the first bad decision was treating his pet like luggage. then he decided this story was a good one to illustrate his "man of action" capabilities. *then* when people react adversely he dismisses them. good job there, mitt. your skills as a diplomat match your empathic nature.

franes glass, providence, ri (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 2:50 PM)

It's crazy to even let your dog stick its head out of the window, if you're going more than about 5 mph. You know what one little rock, kicked up by somebody's tire, can do to your windshield. Imagine what it would do to your dog's eyeball.

Yes, they like it. They like drinking antifreeze, too.

Tanya (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 3:30 PM)

Dave, this was 24 years ago; Fido is already gracing an urn on the Romney family fireplace mantle. How many of you are dog owners??? My dog carrier (airline approved) has 3 solid sides and a grate-like door on one end. If this is the carrier that was used, the dog is completely sheltered. Nevertheless, I'd never transport my dog this way--I'd be worried about the carrier slipping off or being hit by objects.

Barney, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 3:39 PM)

I agree people are making a big deal out of nothing. I think it's probably less safe for people to drive around with their dogs in the back of a pick up than in a portable kennel on the top. I don't think I'd ever do it, but it's certainly not inhumane. Politics always takes things too far.

Shane, Salt Lake City, UT (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 3:50 PM)

Pets are chattel, same as a book or a chicken sandwich. Morons

Brian, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 3:51 PM)

Good thinking BARNEY..and that is the POINT. You are able to think.
WE here in Mass are relly enjoying the "FRESH AIR now that MITT is GONE.

H P Boston (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 3:58 PM)

Tanya, that last line was funny. Barney, he must have used a different type of carrier, because he actually went to the effort of building a little windshield for his. That's the thing that gets me - all that effort just to haul the dog in this unconventional manner. Remember if you build a little homemade windshield, you have to figure out how to attach it so it can withstand hurricane force winds (highway speeds). I'm sure we've all seen when someone tries to just tie something down on the roof when going this fast - if not secured very well, stuff starts flapping and then starts flying. So here's Mitt engineering this little doggy windshield (I can't even keep a straight face typing this - I'll bet the writers of Family Vacation wish they had thought of it) instead of doing what other dog owners would do: either just put the pooch inside the car, or if there wasn't enough room, telling the kids sorry but he's not coming along on our vacation.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 4:06 PM)

Wow, good thing we are paying attention to things like this instead of what really matters in the country. We are just living in a world where everyone wants to be sheltered by anything one person might say is dangerous. Maybe the democrats should try to find some better subjects to debate upon.

Nate (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 4:11 PM)

I had a neighbor who used to strap her child into a booster seat. The kid hated it and would cry every time. One time she was so upset she wet her pants. My point is that sometimes we have to do what we have to do and not worry about what some pinheads are going to think. Knowing Romney as I've come to, if he felt that the situation called for transporting the animal in a rooftop-type dog carrier, then it was the right thing to do. For a bunch of armchair quarterbacks to be questioning this incident some 24 years later only shows how far the left has to stretch things to find something to complain about. Is this the worst you could find on him? Meanwhile, Hillary pressured her husband's rape victim into hushing it up to protect their careers, destroyed evidence to stay out of jail, and drove a subordinate to suicide (or worse), Slick Willy perjured himself and sold pardons to criminals and sold influence and nuclear technology to our enemies while letting Osama move around the planet in open view, and Teddy abandoned a drowning young girl to save his reputation. Where are those stories?

Frank M, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 4:12 PM)

Lee said "as though on cue, Hillary will turn the wheel back to the right." I guess McCain turned right too soon, since he has lost his mojo among...well, everyone. Republicans are favoring blue state types now, Guiliani and Romney, perhaps hoping Independents will give a "moderate" Republican a chance. I'm sure there are hardcore conservatives throughout the country, but they are not in the majority and this is not their election cycle. Besides, me and everybody I know are voting Democratic.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 4:17 PM)

There's nothing per se wrong with putting a dog in a carrier on your car. During a blizzard or hailstorm: probably cruelty. Not tying the thing down: reckless and stupid.

But Dogs pee and poop. Even when they're happy.

People put them in airline cargoholds or overhead compartments. People drive with dogs in the back of trucks all the time: and the dogs love it.

If you hate Romney, you hate him--I don't like him much. But criticism for this is ridiculous. Focus on policy matters. Don't make it sound like taking Fido out of a major metropolitan area is per se animal cruelty and reveal the fact that you don't know the first thing about dogs.

Matt, Costa Mesa, CA (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 4:38 PM)

My dog Nugget used to ride on my motorcycle with me all the time. I couldn't even go in the garage without him trying to jump up on the motorcycle. He would ride on the gas tank between my legs. If he started to slip I would just squeese my legs closer together and catch him. He never did fall off even on the freeway, but he did slip out the window of my car once. He never wanted to go in the car again. People would nearly run off the freeway trying to be sure that they had seen a dog riding on a motorcycle. I took him to college with me on my motorcycle and sometimes we would cruise out in the countryside and I would let him down so that he could run alongside for a while. He always loved riding on the motorcycle. I wore my helmet, but he had to just let his ears flap in the wind. He was a beagle terrier mix and my motorcycle was a red Honda 300 Dream. I miss him and my motorcycle.

David McAlister, Rowlett, TX (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 4:39 PM)

Even if one chooses to overlook the blatant "cruelty to animals" aspect, did Mitt ever consider the horrendous consequences that could have happened if the dog had flown off of the roof and into something... like say into the windshield of an unsuspecting and innocent driver or a bus full of kiddies? Sheesh... what's next Mitt? Strapping the incontinent granny to the roof? I'll bet she likes fresh air, too.

TinaMarie, Cleveland, OH (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 4:46 PM)

This is such a non-story. People put animals in cages in the cargo holds of airplanes all the time, but you wouldn't think of putting a child there. We don't call that animal cruelty do we? It would be according to PETA's standard. It never ceases to amaze me what people will do to destroy the character of another person, just because they disagree with their politics. Grow up all you animal-loving, fetus-hating liberals!!!

Dan, Salt Lake City (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 4:49 PM)

"breaking news" it has just been reported one of clintons top campaign officials has been arrested for allegedly trying to strap a semi large canine to the roof of obama's personal motor vehicle, the motive isn’t clear, film at 11:00

disassociated press (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 4:54 PM)

did Mitt put a porta potty on his car roof or did the dog just pee and poop where he sat?Or slept?Kinda ruins the fresh air story

HMT (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 4:55 PM)

Who gives a damn? It's a DOG!

T. Shaffer (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 5:04 PM)

Dogs love riding in pickup beds, dogs love sticking their heads out car windows. I'm sure his dog LOVED it up there. This mother of all non-stories and it'll be long forgotten very soon.

Jomackllc (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 5:06 PM)

Romney is a prick for treating his dog that way. This guy has the bland, vacant good looks of a TV weatherman and no substance or soul at all. Like a male Stepford wife. This man should play the dad in a 1950s sit-com, not run the United States

Jim Faber, Kansas City, MO (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 5:07 PM)

This happened 24 years ago - good grief! The dog is probably dead by now and it's still news???

N Leath (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 5:11 PM)

Maybe this is a non-story, but it's just so weird it can't be ignored. It makes me long for the old Saturday Night Live news with Chevy Chase.

Mel, Illinois (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 5:13 PM)

The dog was in a CARRIER. Not a WIRE CAGE. For those of you who don't know the difference maybe you should go to a pet store and get a little education. A CARRIER is shielded on 3 sides with small air vents on those sides while the fourth side is the cage-like door. Anyone who knows ANYTHING about physics would know that if the carrier was facing the REAR of the car then air would be blowing UP and AROUND the carrier and not THROUGH the carrier. It would be no different than the dog riding on the inside of the car with the windows down. If you think this is animal cruelty then all pets should be banned from riding INSIDE vehicles without being in a carrier. And as far as the dog flying of the roof, wouldn't the same apply to ALL luggage?

James, Torrance, CA (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 5:25 PM)

What a coincidence. That's what Michael Jackson said about his dog, "Spot".

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 5:29 PM)

Constant wind, especially at highway speeds, can damage a dog's ears. Sand, dust, small rocks can damage a dog's eyes. Most bike riders who take their dogs with them will make sure the dogs have "doggles" to protect their eyes and most will have the dog in a sidecar with a windshield.

And to those who say "It's just a dog", I feel so sorry for you. A dog gives unconditional love, even to owners who do not deserve it.

To many people, a dog is property and not a friend and companion. We see so much cruelty and abuse of animals in Utah and it is sickening. It hs been proven that if a person will abuse an animal, he is five times more likely to abuse a person and go on to worse crimes.

Utahreb, Veyo, UT (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 5:37 PM)

Seen on bumper sticker (just this week, really) -- Dog is My Co-pilot

Russell in Maryland (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 6:06 PM)

Mitt will always be remembered by me as the jerk who flew off the bus screaming profanities at the poor Olympic volunteer who happened to be in his line of fire. Mitt Romney is another trust fund kid who has no class.

jeff kimball, salt lake, utah (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 6:38 PM)

Tribal elders would offer me dog when I went to visit my girlfriend. It tasted like goat. Dogs like the roof better than inside if given a chance. They love wind. Romney was being kind to the dog and he probably didn't even eat the dog. Whitemen are crazy with concerns like this.

Charles Powhaton, Stansbury, Utah (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 7:15 PM)

To all the naysayers to it being cruel, I say this,

MOST DOGS DONT 5H17 THEMSELVES WHEN THEY ARE HAVING FUN

VeGa, PDX,OR (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 7:29 PM)

Tell the truth, at least to yourself. If it was learned that Bill Clinton had done the exact same thing a quarter century ago, none of the PETA crowd would be wringing their hands so miserably.

This is nothing but unabashed conservative hatred. Funny this comes from the liberal, "open minded" side of the electorate.

Ken Hellewell (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 7:39 PM)

Unfortunately, the way people treat animals is far too similar to how they treat other people. Another interesting thing is, no matter how people like to describe themselves, the truth is always reflected by observing their kids and their pets. Pay attention to the last two if they are anywhere near, ugliness resides closest to those you least suspect!

Ed Leczek (Sent Friday, June 29, 2007 8:35 PM)

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