4 years ago
Michael Steele is the Republican nominee running for Maryland's U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Paul Sarbanes who is retiring.
Steele started running campaign ads several weeks ago. In none of his ads does he mention he's running as a Republican. In fact, he never mentions he is Maryland's current Republican Lieutenant Governor. Nor does he mention he was once chair of Maryland's Republican party. In fact, this last bit of information is even omitted on his campaign website.
"Michael Steele is focused on new ideas, not old labels," says a campaign spokesperson. "His agenda for changing business as usual in Washington DC is drawing more and more support from Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike."
There's another omission in Mr. Steele's latest ad. Play the video to see if you can tell what it is?
It is a fact Mr. Steele loves puppies. However, the dog Mr. Steele is holding in the commercial is a Boston Terrier. Mr. Steele does not have a Boston Terrier. The Steele's family pet is a Siberian Huskie. Click here for a family photo.
According to the American Kennel Club website, a Huskie's temperament "is friendly and gentle, but also alert and outgoing. He does not display the possessive qualities of the guard dog, nor is he overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive with other dogs. Some measure of reserve and dignity may be expected in the mature dog. His intelligence, tractability, and eager disposition make him an agreeable companion and willing worker."
The AKC describes the Boston Terrier's temperament as "a friendly and lively dog. The breed has an excellent disposition and a high degree of intelligence, which makes the Boston Terrier an incomparable companion."
As for Ben Cardin--the democratic nominee for the senate seat--his campaign office tells 9 News Now, "Ben Cardin shares Michael Steele's affinity for puppies, just not his affinity for President Bush and his agenda. The puppy is cute, but Marylanders want to hear about real issues."
Although he does not have a dog now, Mr. Cardin did have 2 Cocker Spaniels. A breed the AKC describes as "Equable in temperament with no suggestion of timidity."
So does a dog make a candidate? Probably not. We'd all agree there are probably more important issues to address this campaign cycle. Issues Mr. Steele and Mr. Cardin will be debating in the coming weeks. Issues 9 News Now will be covering. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th.
Written By Samara Martin Ewing
