After I took my two dogs out for our morning walk, I sat down to catch up on the news. I did a double take on the recent AP and Yahoo News poll on pet ownership and presidential preference. Yes, that’s right. Apparently, when pet owners pick a president, John McCain is “best in show.”

According to the report, pet owners prefer McCain (and his pet posse) to the petless, Obama, 42% to 37%. The gap widens in McCain’s favor to 9% when looking just at dog owners. If the Obama campaign has seen this poll, will Obama flip flop on the pet purchase and send a staffer to acquire a family dog ASAP?

Here’s a break down of the poll results:

  • All pet owners: McCain, 42 percent; Obama 37 percent; Nader, 3 percent; other, 3 percent; undecided, 14 percent. Margin of error, plus or minus 2.9 points.
  • Do not own a pet: Obama, 48 percent; McCain, 34 percent; Nader, 3 percent; other, 3 percent; undecided, 12 percent. Margin of error, 4.1 points.
  • Dog owners: McCain, 43 percent; Obama, 34 percent; Nader, 3 percent; other, 3 percent, undecided, 12 percent. Margin of error, 3.6 points.
  • Cat owners: McCain, 41 percent; Obama, 38 percent; Nader, 3 percent; other, 4 percent; undecided, 14 percent. Margin of error 3.9 points.

This trivial poll becomes pertinent when you consider that, according to this report, a majority of homes (63%) have a pet. Keep your eye out for an Obama family pet photo-op before September.