Margaret Makes It To Capitol Hill

A week ago, I wrote a blog post about Margaret's ambitions to become the Obama family's new First Pet.  Well, Margaret's campaign for the White House made it all the way to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., today.

Roll Call, a newspaper that covers the innerworkings of the U.S. Congress and is widely read by members of Congress, their staffs, lobbyists, corporate government relations executives and others who follow Congress closely, published a story on Margaret in their Monday issue.  It appeared in their "Heard on the Hill" column that starts on page 1, and the item on Margaret ran in the rest of the column that continued on page 20.  That's it above.  (Click on the image for a larger version.)  The headline is about another topic in the column.

This started when Randi S., one of our fabulous supporters in Washington, D.C., emailed our blog post to a staff writer at Roll Call early last week.  I didn't think more of it until the phone rang on Friday morning, and I found myself talking with a reporter from the paper.  After getting off the call, I emailed the reporter the photos from the blog post, and lo and behold, look what showed up in Roll Call!

The caption for the photo reads, "As the Obama family contemplates what kind of puppy to bring with them to the White House, Margaret the Goat of Ovando, Mont., campaigns for a place in the Obama administration. Maybe if Montana had voted Democratic..."

The story reads:

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The Obama Scapegoat? While D.C. insiders squabble over who will get the Secretary of State gig in the Obama administration (yawn), most of the country has been enthralled over a more pressing question — which breed of dog will the future first family pick?

But in a town that’s all about competing interest groups, nothing is ever that simple, and now there’s another four-legged creature lobbying to be First Pet.

Margaret the Goat lives at the Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary in Ovando, Mont. While most of the residents at the nonprofit sanctuary are disabled dogs and cats, Margaret came to the ranch on work duty, assigned to eat pesky out-of-control weeds, ranch overseer Steve Smith tells HOH. But instead, Margaret ignored her duties to hang out with the staff.

“She is more like a dog than a goat. She follows people all over the place,” Smith says. “She goes for a walk down to the mailbox to get the mail with you.”

With her friendly disposition (and entitled I-don’t-want-to-work nature), Margaret would make a perfect White House pet, Smith argues. To get the word out, Smith posted an item on the ranch’s blog about Margaret, writing that there’s precedent: Former Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Harrison both kept goats at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Even if Margaret doesn’t make it to Washington, Smith says he’s just happy that the Obamas plan to get a rescue dog rather than a pet from a breeder. He even offered up Molly and Priscilla, two blind standard poodles who live at the ranch, noting that they are hypoallergenic.

“There are absolutely wonderful animals in shelters today that would make terrific family pets,” Smith says. “We were just thrilled that the Obamas decided they were going to adopt.”

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Meanwhile, Margaret spent the day expecting CNN to call any minute and is surprised they haven’t yet.

Comments

[Consuelo Larrabee]

Margaret could definitely be of help to the White House grounds keepers. And the FBI, CIA, etc., would find her a superb paper shredder.
Yes, I think Margaret has a real career ahead of her!

[Nancy Kelly]

PS A comment to Thom at K-9 Pals -there is NO WAY Barack will not come through!!

Nancy

[Nancy Kelly]

Oh my gosh! I love it! And I also love the idea of the poodle girls at the White House!

Nancy

[Mary Young]

Margaret! You are darling!! I think you are going to be in news & in the movies!

[Nina]

Margaret, go girl!!! Has CNN called you for their story?! You are one cute goat!!!

[darla]

this is very very cool! i love margaret!
yay go-ats!! (i hope the doxie/beagle bunch don't get wind of this! it might really get their goat!)

[Kristi Gross]

Awesome PR for RDR. Way to go you guys.
Margaret Rocks!!!

[Sharon]

WOO HOO! Way to go girl! You've hit the big time!!

[Linda]

Margaret... YOU GO GIRL! Way to advocate with dignity. Lobbyists could take a lesson (and I say that as a bi-partisan policy analyst for a State legislature...)

[Debbie B]

Way to go Margaret!! This a great story, I do hope the Obama's see it. Maybe Margaret can be the offical Whitehouse mascot. Kisses to you Margaret.

[Mircat]

With that cute face and can-do attitude, I think Margaret might just start packing her suitcase.

[Lynn]

This is hilarious !! I love it.

You and the reporter have gently yet clearly advocated for all the homeless dogs we have in the country. Great job steering the conversation that way.

[Thom at K-9 PALS]

Way to go Steve!

As a volunteer at a dog shelter in Santa Barbara, CA, I'm thrilled that in the Roll Call article you emphasized (several times) that the Obamas want and should adopt a shelter dog. It helps to inform the public that this is the preferred option when getting a pet. I just hope Barack comes through and sets such a positive example.

Oh, and I am very smitten with Margaret.

[Mary]

What a great story! I can see a movie in the making, "Miss Margaret Goes to Washington".

(P.S. I was contacted by a certain Mr. Trooper who is very concerned that his two girlfriends are being offered to the White House.)

[Sasha in MN]

Dear Steve and Alayne,
Although I love this blog and greatly admire all the work you two do, the posts on Margaret have been a couple of the best I have read all year on the world wide web. She is simply a gem and like many others, I have sent her posts to many friends. Glad to see Margaret continues to shine and spread joy to many more...what's next, The Daily Show?, Colbert Report?....

[Ellen M. Kays]

Laughing here!!! Margaret's pix in the Roll Call is "priceless!!"

Cheers

[Debbie]

What a hoot!! You know you could never give up Margaret, lol!! How wonderful for you all to get such positive national attention...a great article....I vote "yes" for goats in the White House!!

[Carla Polastro-Nigro]

Way to go, Margaret! The next step will be the cover of Time Magazine (as "goat of the year" of course:-))!

I agree with Jamie, "fabulous visibility for RDR".

[Rich Y]

Thank you!!! After the Monday I just had at work, I needed a good laugh! I can just see Margaret jumping up on the presidential table during a state dinner!

[Kate and Luke]

Margaret has a blackberry too? what do ya know... so do luke and rudy! Luke knows all about PR if Margaret needs someone to represent her.

[Shirley * James * Portland, OR]

Great press secretary--Steve!

[Jamie]

Steve and Alayne,

I live near D.C. If Margaret came to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, rest assured that I would be a regular fixture at the fence -- just hoping for a glimpse. What fabulous visibility for RDR.

[Heidi & the kitties]

I sense a new Cabinet position opening up! Secretary of Goat Happiness.

[Randi]

I just sent this blog post to CNN in hopes that they pick up this story. Margaret called me and asked me to.

[Toni]

I think Margaret would enjoy the White House for a while, but she would miss "her" Steve too much. What a great article and wonderful way to bring attention to RDR and all the deserving animals in shelters/rescues that need loving, forever homes.

Way to go Margaret and Steve! You make a great team! Maybe Obama will create a special position for the two of you on his team.

[Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin]

Uh-oh, all it's gonna take is one of the Obama girls to see this picture of beautiful Margaret & she may be on her way to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Maybe FOX News will call & Margaret can say she was interviewed by a FOX!

[Janet in Cambridge]

Give that sweet goat a big hug and a kiss. Her publicist, Steve-at-the-ranch, would probably have to go to D.C. with her after CNN calls and wants an interview. Don't fret, Margaret, they'll be calling any minute now. Have your Blackberry handy.