Posted: December 10, 2008, 5 a.m. EST
President-elect Barack Obama continues to receive advice about what kind of dog to get his family.
Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx offered his opinion to reporters after performing at the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting in New York City last week. “[I’m] trying to pick out Barack Obama’s Christmas puppy right now, so we’re working hard on that,” Foxx said. “I think I’m going to get him a pit bull, we just got to keep it street,” meaning the dog should be “urban” and “authentic.”
“I’m just celebrating Barack Obama (and) celebrating the new president,” he added.
Celebrities aren’t the only ones offering advice to the First Family-elect. Last month, Americans were polled about what the Obamas should name their new pup.
Winning names included Hope, Lucky, Change, Maverick, and Sarah. Other winning suggestions included Dog, Buddy, and Snoopy. Noteworthy, but less popular, names included Abrahound Lincoln, Audacity, Secretary of State, Tina Fey, and Economy.
Obama created a stir during his acceptance speech Nov. 4 when he promised to get his young daughters a dog if they moved into the White House.
The President-elect reiterated that pledge during his first post-election news conference, telling reporters the dog “must be hypoallergenic” and preferably a rescue. That pretty much eliminates Foxx’s choice of a pit bull as the breed is not known for its hypoallergenic qualities.