Babydog
Species | Dog |
---|---|
Breed | English Bulldog |
Sex | Female |
Born | West Virginia, United States of America | October 24, 2019
Owner | Jim Justice |
Babydog is an English bulldog owned by Governor of West Virginia Jim Justice.[1][2]
Usage in West Virginia politics
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Justice used the slogan "Do It for Babydog” to promote a vaccine lottery designed to encourage West Virginians to get vaccinated for COVID-19.[3][4]
Due to Babydog's frequent appearances with Justice at various press conferences and events within West Virginia, Babydog quickly became a popular figure within West Virginian politics, including becoming a sort of meme figure within the state. One particular event in 2022 gained national attention, as while delivering the annual State of the State Address, Justice responded to a tweet by actress Bette Midler calling West Virginians "poor, illiterate, and strung out" (in response to Senator and former Governor Joe Manchin's opposition to President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" Plan) by holding Babydog up and telling Midler, as well as his critics, to "kiss her hiney".[5]
In June 2024, a mural at the West Virginia State Capitol was unveiled that included a likeness of Babydog.[6]
Babydog appeared with Justice on the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention, which garnered some cheers from attendees.[7][8]
See also
References
- ^ "Babydog: WV Gov. Jim Justice's Secret Canine Weapon". June 27, 2024.
- ^ Robertson, Campbell (October 15, 2023). "'Big Jim' and Babydog Go to Washington?" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Brown, Erica (June 21, 2023). "West Virginia governor defends "Do it for Babydog" vaccine lottery after federal subpoena - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com.
- ^ "West Virginia's 'Do it for Babydog' vaccine lottery coverage | WOWK". September 8, 2023. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ Stracqualursi, Veronica (2022-01-28). "The ultimate rebuttal: West Virginia governor hoists dog's derrière in cheeky response to critics | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ Willingham, Leah (2024-06-30). "An English bulldog named Babydog makes a surprise appearance in a mural on West Virginia history". AP News. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ "West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice appears on convention stage with pet bulldog Babydog". July 16, 2024.
- ^ Gold, Michael (July 17, 2024). "Babydog, a Plump Bulldog Who Is Apparently a Republican, Charms the R.N.C." – via NYTimes.com.