(CNN) – Santa won't forget the nation's first dog this Christmas, according to Michelle Obama.
In a special holiday interview, the first lady told Oprah Winfrey that Portuguese water dog Bo has a stocking, just like every other member of the Obama family. "Santa loves Bo too," she said.
President Obama - who has his own stocking, just like daughters Sasha and Malia - told Winfrey about his favorite Christmas gift as a child. "I do remember the one time I met my father he was visiting during Christmas and he gave me a basketball," said the president. "And - the degree to which I came to love basketball - it wasn't until much later in life that I realized, 'Actually, he gave me that basketball.' I think there was some cause and effect there in terms of the degree to which I just ended up taking up the sport as a kid who didn't know his dad."
The Obamas' full White House sitdown with Winfrey is set to air Wednesday.
From CNN Politics
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What a nice story. Where are my Republican friends with their angry, hurtful, un-Christian comments.
I am an ardent supporter of President Obama; I think alot of the criticism of him is undeserved (he inherited a horrendous mess and has worked hard to turn it around; moreover, graded against George W. Bush at this point in his presidency with the only accomplishment being allowing a major terrorist attack, President Obama must deserve an A).
So, I am happy if CNN wants to report something positive about the President, BUT I do have to find myself asking why the dog's stocking is newsworthy.
Could CNN find NOTHING more important going on in Congress or elsewhere in the country or the world than this?
Bo Gets A Christmas Stocking, HypocriCNN Gets The Dog House, And Fox News Channel Gets A New Home In The Out House.
On the humor side President Obama..you would have had the wrath of the world if you didn't have Bo stocking...lollololol
We have always given our furry friends their own stocking and treats for the holiday..I'm mean..they ARE family!
The HATERS will emerge and say something NEGATIVE about the First Family!!!
Bo is such a pretty dog! He's BLACK and WHITE and I bet you – he gets along with himself!!!!
Now for every father OR mother out there, who has a child, who you have no communication and/or relationship with, these remarks from President Obama should help you to better understand. Children, NEVER forget their parents (if they had the opportunity to know them), and carry memories for the rest of their life of your interaction with them. So, at this Christmas time, a time for "kids", PLEASE communicate with your children, buy them a present, and LET THEM KNOW YOU LOVE THEM!!!!! The Presidential Family is a wonderful example of LOVE FROM THE HEART!!!
I have nothing negative to say about this. The girls are children and innocent of their father's choices, good (few) and bad (many). The Obama girls deserve a wonderful Christmas.
If only the "fair minded" dems were so kind when it came to Sarah Palin's children. But, alas, that is a dream.
How lovely... Barry's dog gets a stocking but the nation gets spiraling unemployment, because Barry is too economically-illiterate to understand why businesses aren't hiring.
If there is one thing Barry is dedicated to, it's the pursuit of equality... where we're all equally miserable, destitute and dependent upon the government... that way, we'll all be good democrat voters.
Next Christmas, this nearly-defeated nation will give Barry the gift of Lame Duck Status for his remaining two years, via a new Republican House and Senate. Bank on it.
And incumbent RINO Republicans, you'd better start packing your bags too, because it won't be you we'll be voting for in the Republican primaries. Term limits... a bad idea whose time has arrived.
@T'SAH from Virginia December 11th, 2009 5:13 pm ET
Bo is such a pretty dog! He's BLACK and WHITE and I bet you – he gets along with himself!!!!
Not sure what that comment means? I have a black and white dog. In fact, I'm willing to wager many Americans do. Your point?
Bobby Magee, what a very, very nice and lovely post.
Merry Christmas to you.
Oh, I just love our first family.
Peggy the Moocher wants to know if she gets a stocking too.
She is still waiting for Barack to pay for gas for her car and to pay her mortgage.
First Family do not know what is Christmas and therefore they did not include Merry Christmas in their cards. President told the world that USA is not a Christian nation so what else can you expect. We do not need to know what first family wants to say. After he left Jeremiah Wright, he has not been going to Church.
a diversion. what does Rev Wright, her friend and advisor have to say about "santa".
he hates everything.
JP, you are a sicko right wingnut . Did you ride to school in a big bus or a little bus? By the way, unemployment is no longer spiraling, like the 750,000 job loss that Bush gave Obama in January. You really have to give up the loonies at extreme media Fox and get some truth.
Robin... as a registered REPUBLICAN FEMALE I can assure you it isn't just democrats who do not like Sarah Palin.
However, this article was not about her so why make it into a debate. It's uncalled for digs like yours that start the downward spiral of posts.
I prefer to see an occasional feel good story... I am no better off then I was last year at this time, but that does not preclude me from wanting to read something nice instead of constant bickering, cheating, killing, etc.
To the right wingnuts, the true meaning of Christmas is to go past a homeless shelter and laugh, or go to an emergency room and make fun of those with no insurance. It makes them feel so Christian.
Our pet also get's her own Xmas stocking stuffed with goodies and she loves it and in return she gives lots of love. Merry Xmas Bo.
@J.P... Well, aren't you just a regular Christmas angel?? Don't plan on getting a lot of sleep Christmas Eve; I have a feeling you're going to be visited by three ghosts (and they won't be Limbaugh, Beck and Hannity)....
Barf!!!!
I love that people can politicize even a story on their Christmas celebrations. I'm surprised you don't complain that he's taken time out of his schedule to eat dinner or use the bathroom. I'm sure you take your job seriously, but there's more to you than just your day job. The president is no exception. He has a family, he celebrates holidays, he does human things. Lay off.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year to the Obamas!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We love you!
Don't know Dave, you brought it up!!
Wow! So, the Obama's celebrate Christmas also? I'm confused just a little but then that's the way Obama wants it to be. First he (Obama) says the Christmas Tree is not a Christmas Tree but rather a Holiday Tree because it is not fair and Politically correct to call it what it really is which is a Christmas Tree. He claims it offends the Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc. That's even considering that we have to celebrate their holiday also. That is fine if they want to celebrate their holiday. I have friends that are Jewish and celebrate their holiday. That doesn't offend me at all. What does offend me and frankly just pisses me off is when this douche bag in the White House tells me I can't celebrate Christmas because it will offend someone. You know what? Merry Christmas to all! It is in celebration of Christ's Birthday and I like millions of other Americans will celebrate it. My kids decorate their classroom in the public school system and all. I don't really give 2 cents what the head douche says in the White House! It's Christmas, not Happy Holidays! So MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
Bo gets a stocking and the rest of us get Alpo, great.
It is airing this Sunday 12/13 at 10 PM/ 9 PM central
BBBrooke,
Um, I don't care if you like Sarah Palin. I simply stated that the Liberals (and some angry republican women it seems) like to say disparaging about Sarah Palin's CHILDREN.
I didn't post a "dig". But as much as I don't like Obama's policies, his kids are as cute and can be and should be left alone.
Hey! I thought the paid right wing nut bloggers were not paid for posting after 5 pm Eastern.
Never thought I would feel sorry for any dog that lived in the white house but you gotta pity this poor pooch.
Hey can someone define "News" for me please??? I keep reading in the posts "is this news?" I think articles like this are great to read sometimes. We all know the world is in recession. Soldiers died in Irag, and unemployment is high. Do we really need to have it repeated all the time. Take a time out relax, spend some time with your family and try to make the world a better place.
Bo is a good dog. Its too bad he will only have four Christmases at the White House.
Mr. President, may you, your wife, children, your dog and the rest of your family have a wonderful first Christmas as a President; and may God give you the wisdom to guide our country through the righth path. We love you and wish you and yours well during this holiday season and always.
"Hey! I thought the paid right wing nut bloggers were not paid for posting after 5 pm Eastern."
Actually, just like many of our jobs in the economy as a result of the Gopers, even their paid bloggers are sitting in sweatshops in China and India. Can't you tell from the broken barely coherent Engrish?
"I don't really give 2 cents what the head douche says in the White House!"
That certainly explains why you're angry and ranting.
Robin–
Palin thrust her children into the spotlight including dragging her mortified pregnant teenager and sorry excuse for a boyfriend onto the national stage. Palin and all she represents is the height of hypocrisy. It is refreshing to have such a normal and natural family in our White House. Palin and the rest of the neocon wingnuts could take a lesson in parenting from the Obamas.
"How lovely... Barry's dog gets a stocking but the nation gets spiraling unemployment"
You know, you're right, all those figures we've been seeing for the last couple months showing that the rate at which unemployment is growing has decreased and is slowly coming to a halt...and all those experts stating that we look to be making gains on that sometime in the next 6 months...that all is very accurately characterized as "spiralling." The only thing spiralling is the water as we flush your silly nonsense criticisms down the proverbial toilet.
I wish I were a dog. They seem to get better care than people.
Maybe the Obama's can send stockings to some of the millions of unemployed that are losing their homes and living in their cars or homeless shelters? Or maybe they could help serve Christmas dinner at a homeless shelter? They might as well experience first hand the affects of their failed policies.
My dog gets a stocking, too. And we celebrate 'holidays', not "Christmas"
I am not impressed with Materialism anywhere! What about the Children of this World who are suffering so horribly, physically, emotionally, and spiritually? Who will fill their tummies and make them safe? As long as one among us is Suffering, we are all NOT Whole. It's a Spiritual thing, folks. Picture A World Paradise for this Holiday! My best to all. Jane aka Poet
I am so glad the the Obamas are in the White House. As a former Republican, I feel grateful we have someone who cares about this country. He inherited a terrible mess, with the economy that GW gave us, financial mess, and 2 wars. President Obama is trying hard to get us out. It will take time and we have to spend our way out of the recession, putting money back into the economy that GW and his buddies took out of it. God Bless the USA and President Obama. MERRY CHRISTMAS FIRST FAMILY.
Anonymous has to call themselves that because they can't own up to the lies they are saying about the President. President Obama NEVER said you couldn't celebrate Christmas! My dear, it is time for you to stop listening to extremists and their interpretations of what the President says or does. Those people are quite creative, and very rarely accurate.
Wow... I TRULY believe EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US needs to get LIVES, if we really took time out of our busy *cough* schedules to post a reply on a ticker about the President's dog getting a stocking.
I believe "Bless You, and Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays)" is the only response you shouldve really took your time out to write.
I am a proud American, but unfortunately, most other Americans make me utterly disgusted by their sense of entitlement and perpetually negative attitudes.
God Bless the rest of you.
I'm a bit confused...help me understand why there are so many negative comments about the "lack of news" regarding this story? Yet the same people are exhilarated when a story about Ms.Palin is posted? She is not new worthy! The dog Bo is the "First Dog"...the dog Palin is not!
J.P: December 11th, 2009 5:18 pm ET
How lovely... Barry's dog gets a stocking but the nation gets spiraling unemployment, because Barry is too economically-illiterate to understand why businesses aren't hiring.
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Oh, JP....How about businesses are not hiring because a lot of them are just plain greedy. They were supposed to have created jobs during the past eight years after the Bush tax cuts which continue to be in effect. Where are those jobs???
By the way, are you postponing Christmas or other Holiday celebrations? Did Bush ever? Why should President Obama act as if he is in jail? The problems he is dealing with are problems that began BEFORE he became President so get over yourself.
The Obama's are just a real family. Everything about them is great. I am happy he is our president.
Wishing you a happy Christmas and enjoy the holidays with family and friends. I liked your concept about war and peace, which is very realistic approach..God bless you and your family always.
"First he (Obama) says the Christmas Tree is not a Christmas Tree but rather a Holiday Tree"
You moron, you do realize that the Christmas tree originated as a pagan symbol, to celebrate the winter solstice on the shortest day of the year which meant a Sun god(he/she had many different name through the ages) could use the shortest day to rest and renew. The use of the evergreen was to remind the worshipers of all the good things the rested Sun god could then grow.
Try Googling Puritans and Christmas before you start your Christmas tree rant and embarrass yourself on an international blog site.
Merry Christmas, Bo. You're a nice dog! And probably the most handsome pet of the White House. Ever!!!
My goodness. Even a simple feel good story like this isn't off limits to the desperately hateful right who have NOTHING to do but be bitter and complain.
And by the way, any of you out there who have disparaging remarks about those of us who don't believe in "G"od or Jesus or any of the other invisible men take a hard look in the mirror and ask yourselves what a true Christian is. Hypocrites.
"Bo is a good dog. Its too bad he will only have four Christmases at the White House."
That might be a stretch considering Bo is more qualified to be president than any of the possible 2012 Republican canidates. But keep those warm xmas wishes of war, poverty, and corruption that we know all you GOPers seem to love.
how come Bo wasn't in the family Christmas portrait?
Love reading about the gorgeous Obama family. Bo is a big suck wonder if he ever gets to sleep in the Presidential bed.
I always give my dogs presents. I wrap them up in tissue paper to see if they can open them. I get to pick up a lot of tissue paper, but I have fun watching my "kids" open up their toy for the new year.
To the "Right Wingnuts are Dumb" poster:
Your immaturity is only exceeded by your ignorance! I am a 56 year old Veteran and successful businessman. Your hatefilled messages are naïve and cleary show that you are truly clueless. Hopefully when you grow up and realize what is occuring right in front of your nose, you'll wake up and see why fiscally responsible conservatism is desperately needed in our Country right now. There are way too many people like you expecting a free lunch. Your posts cleary convey what you're all about. Pitiful.
Merry Christmas!
Gee, I am unemployed and the Obamas seem to care more about feeding the dog than helping Americans.
If Bo is anything like my cat, he'd rather play with the paper than the toys in the stocking. Nice to see a sweetness and light on here from the haters, especially the creep who calls himself "Anonymous. " You sound like a raving lunatic and should get some counseling or go talk to your minister, please.
If I were Santa everyone in Obummie's family would get a gift in their stocking. Pearls for the first lady, dolls for the girls, doggie treats for Bo and a lump of coal for BHO. The coal wouldn't be a bad thing in this case. It would be a reminder that coal provides more than 50% of this nation's electricity. Obummie needs to stop his stupid cap and trade bill. Merry Christmas and when you light your tree remember where your power comes from.
to Dave: I am not a Rebuplican and I voted for Obama and we can not even afford to hanging stockings this year as there is nothing to put in them. Victim of outsourcing
To all the right wing knuckle draggers here like JP and cgillette369, is there anything you DON'T complain about?
Nice – now how about some food for US citizens' children and healthcare for their parents.
Regulate regulate regulate. Wall Street DOES NOT own this country.
Can anybody say full-fledged rebellion?
You republicans need to get a life, what the hell is wrong with you people, I think the dog is really cute.
Bo should have his own x-mas stocking. Merry Christmas to all of your family.
Gosh,
Lighten up, folks. You've got all next year to bash the Obamas and Bo.
This is a joke. The Obama's celebrate Santa and not the true meaning of Jesus Christ..................duh what am I missing here only reason we celebrate Christmas . God our Father and his son was borrn on Christmas Day. The Wise Men came bearing gifts. We celebrate it as a family birtday. But ya know atheist and all others buy gifts. Our Gov'tment was founde on God to iradicate it for musliums and wicka ......................... I am so glad I believe in God and his son Jesus Christ.
Bo is soooooooo cute!!!
Bo--Enjoy your stay at the White House-–and the White House lawn as well .........Until your owners are evicted in 2012!!!!
It is still nice to know that there are still people who have hate in their heart and now it's the dog that can't talk back. You people are pathetic that allow their feelings to be put at such low volume. People forget and get over your bad taste for the President. Even if Bo only get four years in the White House is nothing compared to you not even getting that far or even a chance to live there. Sorry for the bad love.
It is so comforting to know that Bo will get a stocking, when millions of unemployed people in this country will get nothing.
Right Wingnuts are..............
"To the right wingnuts, the true meaning of Christmas is to go past a homeless shelter and laugh, "
Do you think it is better to show up at a fundraiser for the homeless in $700 shoes..........Just like Michelle did???
@ Anonymous:
You're not just a little confused... you're a lot confused! I don't know where you get your information from but by virtue of your repeating it shows you're very stupid as well!
Shut up, if you don't know what you're talking about. Then less people will know just how ignorant you truly are!
May God Bless the Obama Family always.
Nice human interest story. Much better than all the dumb stories about that bimbo palin, but i see the repos and wing nuts dont't care for this story either since it involves how ever indirectly the president. For these clowns I hope Bo lifts his leg on all of you. Merry Christmas all
Wow....I just love CNN's efforts to portray the Obamas as some sort of royalty; like something out of hollywood where the blind, ignorant masses are searching for a hero (haha...and look what got elected) anyway, what's next CNN? Going to measure the size of his turds?
J.P. - Get off your high horse. Nobody has a crystal ball. I'm sick and tired of this "Oh, you'll be sorry, just you wait and see" mumbo jumbo. This is a nice story that gives a human face to our President. There's no need for you to spew your hate here.
hey dave – it's your president that claims it's not a Christian holiday, nor is this a Christian country...so it's ignorant liberals like you, who elected this fraud....and therefore you cannot blame the Republicans for your stupidity...you put a muslim in the White House, not me!
to anonymous–who proclaims his Christianity for all to hear–nice Christian name calling there buddy, good Christian attitude of forgiveness, love, peace and all that other stuff you claim to believe in. Right.
Anonymous, no one said YOU could not celebrate Christmas. What the president said was that HE is calling HIS tree a holiday tree because HE, being in the position he is as the leader of the entire country, wants all persuasions to feel included in HIS holiday celebrations, and he feels that is better served if HE calls HIS tree a holiday tree. Now, is that ok with you?
The Beagle I was raised with always got a rawhide bone from Santa for Christmas. I was wonderful to see her enthusiasm and satisfaction from such a simple gift.
I hope Santa gives Bo lots of treats, too!
So funny the way people politicize this story ... so here's my contribution. To everyone who thinks President Obama is "economically illiterate":
It was Republican economic policy, starting with Reagan's tinkle-down, voodoo economics, irresponsible tax cuts for the wealthy who invest overseas and lay off Americans, coupled with de-regulation of the financial industry, that brought our country to the brink of another Great Depression.
President Obama has pulled us away from that brink. And if the GOP, its governors, Congress, Senate and lackeys would do their jobs and put our country first instead of their own party, this economic recovery would be a lot further along.
GOP = Party Before Country
To those who keep saying That Pres. Obama called the Christmas tree the Holiday tree. Get your facts straight. I watched the ceremony and it was called Christmas tree and He also said Merry Christmas and Happy holidays, which I think is appropriate.
The difference between President Obama and Sarah Palin regarding their children, is the President doesn't use his children for political props. If she wouldn't keep trotting them out, no one would have the opportunity to say anything about them.
But that would require Palin going for more than 48 hours without her "celebrity" fix ... something she simply cannot do!
Such a nice family. !!!!!! I'm sure the far right crazies can find something hateful about the poor dog getting a stocking. Such pitiful people. Merry Christmas to the Obama family. Keep up the great work and the h*** with the right wing.
Bo is such a cute puppy. Merry Christmas to the First Family including Bo! Bo is part of the family so why shouldn't he have a Christmas stocking also.
Some of the far-right comments are the usual mean ones. Even about a dog story!
The far-right considers or claims to be "Christian"! What hypocrites!
President Obama WILL BE REELECTED....... it will shock the GOP-haters, but it will happen.
The Bush Economic Disaster will not be soon forgotten, we, Americans REMEMBER HOW WE GOT HERE!
Dan, TX: We are NOT a Christian nation! Read the First Amendment; the framers of our Constitution – who were of many religious affiliations – specifically wrote that the government shall not establish a religion.
This protection guarantees that everyone is free to worship or not as they please. That is, afterall, why people came to the New World in the first place!
To everyone who thinks the First Family should have mentioned Christmas in their holiday cards ...
Here's a tidbit from Susan Whitson, Laura Bush's press secretary in December 2007:
"Certainly President and Mrs. Bush, because of their faith, celebrate Christmas," said "Their cards in recent years have included best wishes for a holiday season, rather than Christmas wishes, because they are sent to people of all faiths."
The White House holiday card reads:
"May your family have a joyous holiday season and a new year blessed with hope and happiness."
That's the kind of message my family sends out, too. Because we recognize the world is filled with people of many different faiths – and that there is more than one path to God.
What matters is whether you get there, not how you get there. (God doesn't suffer from the spiritual limitations of humans, you know ...)
What a great and "normal" American family. It has not escaped notice that the Obama girls stayed home and went to school while the Palin kids were being drug around as props for their self-centered Mom. I just love having such as class act occupying 1600 PA Avenue.
Merry Christmas, Obamas (including Bo), and my dogs have stockings also!
Wait a minute, I'm not so sure if Santa loves Bo....just kidding. Santa loves Bo too.
Merry Christmas Bo–you rock.
Hey, is Bo a Dem or a Republican? We're not sure of Santa's politics, so maybe he loves Bo, and maybe he doesn't.
We can't speculate, we have to make some calls and find out just who's side Santa is on.
Sorry Bo, we'll have to get back to you on this one.
Some of the comments are so funny. Christmas tree, holiday tree, or w hatever those who are against the president feel today. Lets all of us remember our Lord wasn't born on christmas. The tradition of christmas tree was actually a pagan tradition. I wish the good people of america stop and enjoy the holiday. Our president is doing a good job upholding the tradition of the white house christmas. Its nice to see a president who truly loves his wife and children and their dog Bo. We all should try to remember what is suppose to be this time of year. Instead I see some of you can't help yourself but show your hate. All I can say is we will see 8 years of the Obama family in the white. Get use to it you haters.
My dog gets a stocking because she deserves it. She shows no
bias about how I look, my poltics, or how I dress. She just loves
me and I love her. So, no more Barney cams (they were cute),
just a Christmas stocking for Bo. Bless his heart! All you ]
complainers, will you ever give it a rest????????????
Bo is so cute with his adorable markings. I'm sure he's living a good life.
I don't understand the news in this story. My dogs and my parents dogs, their parents dogs, and my sisters dogs have always had a stocking. What's so newsworthy about this??? Gimmie a break and report some real news.