There’s a stunning new development in a decades-old international mystery, now known as “Crate-Gate.”
First, a quick recap: A few years back, the Boston Globe profiled Mitt Romney, using the story of a 1983 Romney family road trip to Canada as an example of his “emotion-free crisis management.”
Mitt, Ann and the kids piled into the family station wagon, while the family’s Irish setter, Seamus, got to ride on the roof.
Seamus apparently did not appreciate the five-star accommodations, because at some point during the 12 hour car ride, son Tagg noticed “a brown liquid… dripping down the back window…”
The situation prompted Mitt to find a gas station, borrow a hose, wash off both dog and car, put the dog back on the roof, and continue driving.
See? Emotion-free crisis management.
Romney has since blamed the whole thing on PETA.
Both Mitt and Ann say Seamus lived a long life with them, but as PolitickerNY reports, Seamus may have reached his limit of Romney family fun while still in Canada.
“According to a trusted Politicker tipster, two of Mr. Romney’s sons had an off-record conversation with reporters where they revealed the dog ran away when they reached their destination on that infamous journey in 1983.”
Whether or not Seamus sought asylum in Canada, his story has resonated with many pet-loving Americans.
Just ask Gail Collins.
The group Dogs Against Romney has started a web campaign “I ride inside.”
Obama campaign senior strategist David Axelrod poked fun at Romney’s pet care methods with this tweet.
The Boston Globe’s anecdote may portray Mitt as a problem solver, but not very presidential. It’s hard to imagine Gerald Ford taking the Romney approach to pet travel with his dog Liberty. There’s no way Lucky Reagan would have put up with roof-top riding. Or Checkers Nixon for that matter. Mitt “Dog on Roof” Romney says he wants to live in the White House, but can he live up to the standards set by previous Republican occupants? And while you are pondering that question, here are some more photos of dogs.
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