Margaret in Roll Call

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:

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.”

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

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27 responses to “Margaret Makes It To Capitol Hill”

  1. Janet in Cambridge Avatar
    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.

    Like

  2. Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin Avatar
    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!

    Like

  3. Toni Avatar
    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.

    Like

  4. Randi Avatar
    Randi

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

    Like

  5. Heidi & the kitties Avatar
    Heidi & the kitties

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

    Like

  6. Jamie Avatar
    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.

    Like

  7. Shirley * James * Portland, OR Avatar
    Shirley * James * Portland, OR

    Great press secretary–Steve!

    Like

  8. Kate and Luke Avatar
    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.

    Like

  9. Rich Y Avatar
    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!

    Like

  10. Carla Polastro-Nigro Avatar

    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”.

    Like

  11. Debbie Avatar
    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!!

    Like

  12. Ellen M. Kays Avatar
    Ellen M. Kays

    Laughing here!!! Margaret’s pix in the Roll Call is “priceless!!”
    Cheers

    Like

  13. Sasha in MN Avatar
    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?….

    Like

  14. Mary Avatar
    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.)

    Like

  15. Thom at K-9 PALS Avatar
    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.

    Like

  16. Lynn Avatar
    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.

    Like

  17. Mircat Avatar
    Mircat

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

    Like

  18. Debbie B Avatar
    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.

    Like

  19. Linda Avatar
    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…)

    Like

  20. Sharon Avatar
    Sharon

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

    Like

  21. Kristi Gross Avatar
    Kristi Gross

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

    Like

  22. darla Avatar
    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!)

    Like

  23. Nina Avatar
    Nina

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

    Like

  24. Mary Young Avatar
    Mary Young

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

    Like

  25. Nancy Kelly Avatar
    Nancy Kelly

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

    Like

  26. Nancy Kelly Avatar
    Nancy Kelly

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

    Like

  27. Consuelo Larrabee Avatar
    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!

    Like

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