Babydog was big hit at Republican National Convention

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — America now knows all the buzz about West Virginia’s First Pet, Babydog! Her appearance at the Republican National Convention Tuesday night along with Governor Jim Justice was a big hit.

Of the many candidates who spoke on the second night of the Republican Convention, Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Jim Justice was the only one to bring a family pet. The audience loved Babydog, and so did the media.

The 60-pound English bulldog was featured in articles by The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, as well as on the TV news networks. It was, what analysts often refer to as, great “political theatre.”

“She makes us smile and she loves everybody. And how could the message be any more simpler than just that?” said Justice.

“Well, you know, Jim Justice is a marketer. There’s probably not a better marketer in the state. And he’s realized his dog helps him carry his message and people accept the dog. And I think they like the dog better than the governor, and so they make a good team,” said Tom Susman, a WMOV Radio Political Analyst.

There was also some political calculus to this. Justice was preceded on stage by Republican Senate Candidate Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Republican Senate Nominee David McCormick of Pennsylvania. Republican leaders believe if they can flip all three seats from Democrats, the GOP will control the Senate.

The Washington Post, Fox News Channel, and Politico all say Babydog “stole the show” Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention.

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