Kerry Washington Lobbies for Obama Dog

President-elect Barack Obama is already the subject of some serious lobbying – and he’s not even in the White House yet.

The “lobbyist” is friend and actress Kerry Washington, who told People that she has spoken to Barack and Michelle Obama about adopting a Shih Tzu-Yorkshire Terrier mix like her dog, Josephine Baker.

“My dog is hypoallergenic, and I’ve told them all about her,” Washington said. “They are loving dogs and great for the girls. So we’ll see what they will choose.”

Obama created a stir during his acceptance speech when he promised to get a dog for daughters Malia and Sasha for the White House.

He reiterated that pledge during his first post-election news conference, saying the dog “must be hypoallergenic” and preferably a rescue dog.

Washington, who played Ray Charles’s wife, Della B. Robinson, in “Ray,” spent Election Night celebrating with the Obamas.

“They are both absolutely amazing,” Washington said. “We are so lucky to have such a cool couple ... in the White House. Not only are they brilliant and gorgeous but they are just cool, down-to-earth people.”