Dear Miss Vickie,

Oh my!  My mama and you will have so much fun talking history, I can tell.  Now, about Mr. Eddie - You know  that dear Mr. Marley has proposed that I be his First Lady and I must confess I have grown quite fond of Mr. Marley.  A lady must keep her options open, however.  Oh my, I feel a case of the vapors coming on, I think I must take to my bed for a bit over this one.  Mother says I really cannot run for President as she is the “contest girl” (did you ever hear of such a thing – mama is not a girl, she is fairly ancient) but I do believe I am wearing her down on this one – this is politics after all and she knows how much this race means to me.  I am suggesting she find someone else to count the votes.  Goodness, whoever worried about fairness in a political race anyway!  But, Marley, oh Marley, he has worked his way into my heart.  The problem with Marley is that he resides in Ohio, but he is such a gentleman, I’m quite sure his ancestry is of the southern persuasion.  Oh, why does life have to be so complicated?  I suppose that is the price one pays when one is beautiful. For now, I am continuing on diligently with my campaign.

Sincerely yours,

Katie Scarlett

Oh dear, have you checked out my magazine?  As a southerner and a lady, I think you will find it most lovely.  Click the link below.

Oh yes. Both Eddie and I found your magazine quite appealing. Such thoughtful, useful tips for summer living. I will be canceling my subscription to Martha Stewart at once.

I regret to bring up such unpleasant matters but I do understand what your mamma is saying. And while Mr. Marley's offer to be first lady is divine (I have seen the white dog house and it is splendid!) one must remember that it does depend on Mr. Marley being elected. He is running a fine campaign, and I am sure his chances are good, but first lady is quite a different offer than what Mr. Eddie is proposing. (Don't you just love that word proposing? I've heard it several times myself.)

Eddie is offering you the position of Vice President. Mr. Eddie feels your talents are much needed by the citizens of Rattieland and if you cannot run for President, then why not join the campaign in the #2 spot. Something to think about darlin.

By the way, we have become so close recently that I will share my nickname with you. It is Magnolia.

Yours,

Miss Vickie

Press Release
Committee to elect Eddie Ratbone
July 6th, 2008

As stated in an earlier press release, our candidate is committed to running a grass roots campaign and will not accep the endorsement of celebrities or campaign funds from big business. With that said, we would like to make members of the public, the press, and the constituents of Rattieland aware of a campaign poster released this morning ( see below).

Since announcing his bid for President of Rattieland, Eddie has been stalked by a hotel heiress who will remain unnamed. She has created this poster for Eddie to express her support and love but has done so without the approval of Eddie or his campaign. This person is accustomed to getting her way and was apparently unable to take "no" for an answer. As such we need to make everyone aware that you will see this poster but it is not offical campaign material. We appreciate Ms. Heiress's enthusiasm but Eddie cannot associate himself with someone who harbors chihuahuas in her home and the campaign remains committed to avoiding any conflict of interest by disassociating with celebrities and big business. Eddie prefers to work with and for those who live the simple life.

Vickie, Campaign Manager for the committe to elect Eddie Ratbone

xxx

But Dear Magnolia, Marley is a multi-bullystickaire and he is so handsome and I wouldn’t have to attend a bunch of boring meetings and did I mention he is a multi-bullystickaire.  But, it has been at least a week since I have gotten any flowers from Marley.   Oh, fiddle-dee-dee, I can’t think about this today.  I’ll think about it tomorrow.  Tomorrow is another day.  I have to take a nap now.

K.S.

We have learned that the persistant heiress has hired a crack team of hackers from Paris to infiltrate our web presence including posting of the above poster on the original presidental thread. We were able to correct our corrupted avatar but suspect these moves are not the end of this rouge campaign effort.

Eddie R.

MURPHY ESTABLISHES A WEB PRESENCE!

Due to so many others resportnig to teh Internets to promote their campaign agendas, Murphy is not proud to announce his own web site:

MURPHY in '08

( http://sites.google.com/site/murphyin08/)

When asked if any of the content was original, Murphy commented, "is anything I do original?"

Just look into the spinning circle:

Vote for Murphy.   Vote for Murphy. 

These are not the droids you are looking for. 

Vote for Murphy.

Meet my Campaign Management staff:

                      Larry                  Moe             Shemp

Curly quit:

My Dearest Katie Scarlett,

     I have been reading the discussions about parentage and thought you should know that while I do reside in Ohio, I am a southern gentleman.  My beloved mama can trace her people back to Virginia during the time of northern agression.  So, while I may reside in the north, my heart is that of a true southern gentleman.

     I am sending you this lovely dogwood flower.  Its beauty is second to yours, my dearest Katie.

I remain your most humble servant,

Marley--Lord Dunmore the Duke of Albemarle

My Dearest Marley,

In my heart, I never doubted you.  I knew you must be of Southern descent.  One can always pick out a true gentleman. The flower is lovely, though I thought you had forgotten about little ol’ me!   My head is spinning with all this campaign to-do!

Watch for my latest press release.  I have some wonderful news of an historical nature  for Rat Terriers!

Yours most sincerely,

Katie Scarlett

Rattie Courier Journal

July 6, 2008

On the campaign tour in Stone Mountain, Georgia, Rattie presidential candidate Katie Scarlett once again shows she is more than just a pretty face by making a huge historical discovery.  With her staff and a super-telephoto lens, she has shown the world what Ratties have long suspected.  Rat Terrier, “Rebel” is indeed included in the Stone Mountain relief.  When our reporter asked how Katie Scarlett knew about this amazing dog her reply was, “Fiddle-dee-dee, our family had always heard the story of Rebel, the hero Rattie of the Civil War.  It was just not a well known fact that Rebel was included in this relief because his small stature makes him hard to see.”  Evidently what he lacked in stature, he made up for in bravery.  This is not the first discovery of Ratties in history that Katie Scarlett has made.  She also discovered the drawing of “Yankee Doodle” urging on Paul Revere’s horse when warning of the British invasion.  “Why without Yankee Doodle’s nipping at that horse’s heels, who knows if the militia would have been alerted in time,” says Katie Scarlett. Why is this important in a modern day campaign?  Katie Scarlett explains.  “I think the Rat Terrier has not been taken seriously and given the respect they deserve and I intend to change that.  Some in this campaign, and I will not mention any names, are not helping by acting foolish, but I have nothing but the utmost respect for this true American dog breed and, if elected, I will fight to see they get the respect they deserve.  As God is my witness, yes I will.”  There you have folks - Katie Scarlett, beautiful, smart and fighting for the rights of Ratties.

Editors Note:  Our staff researched and found yet another photo of Rebel the Rattie on the artillery field in Gettysburg.  Of course, these dogs were referred to as feists or ratting terriers in these early days of American history.  It was not until Teddy Roosevelt that they were named Rat Terriers.  When asked about this new photo, Katie Scarlett commented, "Of course these ancestors of our breed were on the battlefield on both sides of the war.  In that tragic time in our history littermates often fought against littermates.  We just happen to have photos of Rebel the Rattie, who was a brave little scrapper of a terrier,  but I'm sure more reseach will uncover Ratties on the Northern side of the field as well."

Photos below

UPI--Dateline Monday. . . . For Immediate Release

Presidental candidate Marley has secured another endorsement. 

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS OF

KATIE SCARLETT

Katie Scarlett’s campaign vehemently denies the below tabloid article as absolutely untrue!  The photograph is obviously doctored, as Katie Scarlett looks a little chubby!  Katie Scarlett's reply to this article is as follows:

I would never act in such an unladylike manner as to “latch onto” anyone’s ankle.  As for Mr. Gore, I don’t even know him, but I hear he is . . . .  nice.

THE RATTIE ENQUIRER

July 9, 2008

IS THAT SNOW OR EGG ON HER FACE?

On a campaign stop today to carry out her plan to plant southern foliage across the country based on her understanding of  Al Gore’s theory of global warming, Rattieland presidential candidate Katie Scarlett was embarrassed to discover snow.  Katie Scarlett was seen throwing quite a temper tantrum and heard to say, “If I find that Mr. Al Gore I will latch onto his ankle and never let go!”  Hmmmm, should she be named Katie Scarlett or Katie Snarlett?

My Dearest Marley,

I thought of you this morning.  I was taking a walk in our woods with Mama and Dixie Pride discussing campaign strategy (well, Mama was saying I must withdraw, but Dixie and I were ignoring her as usual and discussing strategy).  After our walk, as we were coming in the house, I looked down and saw a tick on my leg!  I was absolutely horrified.  I do not believe I have ever had a tick before!  Mama got the nasty little thing off of me, but I was a bit traumatized.  I went in the house and got on the sofa and thought of your campaign promise to deport ticks and fleas.  Oh Marley, do you think that is a promise you can fulfill?  Today, I honestly have been thinking of voting for you!  Fiddle-dee-dee, and I am running in this race  also!

Yours faithfully,

Katie Scarlett

From the public relations manager for Eddie Ratbone:

While Eddie does not want to create any strife within the current election, I must bring up an important point - equal time a.k.a. "the golden rule". Humans have long recognized the importance of constituents to recieve access to information from diverse perspectives.  Accordingly, media outlets must allow all candidates a forum and not just allow one candidate to appear in/on their venue. Here is a quote:

It is the closest thing in broadcast content regulation to the "golden rule." The equal time, or more accurately, the equal opportunity provision of the Communications Act requires radio and television stations and cable systems which originate their own programming to treat legally qualified political candidates equally when it comes to selling or giving away air time. Simply put, a station which sells or gives one minute to Candidate A must sell or give the same amount of time with the same audience potential to all other candidates for the particular office.

Where are we going with this? You will notice that Murphy is featured as the header rattie for Rat-Terrier.com. This campaign would like to ask for equal consideration by allowing all candidates to appear in the header of Rat-Terrier.com during the campaign. The site has done an excellent job in providing this open forum for posting of speeches and press releases but once Murphy appeared as the "header" pup, it has upped the antie - much like being on the cover of Time magazine

Signed,

The public relations firm representing Eddie Ratbone

My Dearest Katie Scarlett,

     I'm so sorry, my Dear Katie, that you had to suffer the emotional distress of finding a tick on your leg.  I can assure you that deporting all fleas and ticks is first on my Presidential Agenda.  If I am so forunate as to be elected President of Rattieland I can assure you that my administration will work tirelessly to rid Rattieland of the afore mentioned terrier terriorists.  It is my hope that you and your dear mother are sufficiently recovered from your ordeal.

     To speed your recovery I am sending you a Cherokee Rose.

I remain your most humble servant,

Marley--Lord Dunmore the Duke of Albemarle  

Dearest Marley,

Oh the rose is lovely.  Thank you so much.  You are indeed a thoughtful Rat Terrier.  I do believe you are trying to win my heart, or is it just my vote?  Fiddle-dee-dee, Marley, I am teasing you, for I do know that you have feelings for me as I have  for you.  My mama handled the tick incident quite well, thank you.  You know, she was in the animal medical profession in her younger years and has pulled some ghastly ticks off dogs.  This was just a little ol’ thing.  

Well, Marley, my plans for the future seem uncertain as far as presidential politics go.  Mother keeps pressuring me and, honestly, I do like the sound of First Lady , so I must be making some decisions.  I will be going away at the end of next week with my older sister and advisor, Dixie Pride, and we will talk about my future.  I’m very sure, Marley that your name will come up as we have our sisterly chats late at night.  I will miss you while away, as I hope you will me.  I will be leaving this coming Wednesday and will be away a full week.  It will seem an eternity, though they say dogs can’t tell time.  Just how do “they” know that?  “They” have never asked me, have “they” you, Marley?  

Upon my return I will throw myself into the special presidential edition of my magazine, and then Marley, we have serious issues to decide.  

Yours faithfully and truly,

Katie Scarlett

Dearest Eddie,

Please see my announcement under Just Chat.  As a publisher and journalist, I am offering to do a special presidential edition of my magazine Katie Scarlett!  Even though I am a candidate, I have pledged to do a fair representation of our candidates.  The post gives you the specifics and deadlines and I hope you will participate in this wonderful opportunity.

Of course I cannot speak for the policies of rt.com.

Katie Scarlett

Owner, Publisher, Editor

Katie Scarlett!  The Magazine

From the campaign headquarters of presidential candidate Marley.  For immediate release. . . . . . . .

Presidential candidate Marley has secured another important endorsement.

My Dearest Marley,

Congrats on your latest endorsement.  I understand that Mr. Obama supports a policy for all American children to learn Spanish as opposed to immigrant children learning English.  This has caused me to wonder:  Since he has endorsed your candidacy, will he be requiring all to learn to speak Rattie also?  That would be ever so nice.  

You are such a handsome devil!

Lovely,

K.S.

My Dear Katie Scarlett,

     I appreciate your concern on this important issue.  Mr. Obama has assured me that his policy will be to require all immigrants to learn english to become American citizens.  He also believes that NCLB has forced schools to cut foreign langauge programs from school curriculums across the nation.  He would like to see those classes reinstated as he believes that learning a foreign language (French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, etc.) makes for well-rounded learners and will enable our young people to compete in a global economy.

     As for my policy, well, I believe all citizens of Rattieland should be able to communicate with each other.  Lets face it my dear,  we certainly understand more English than humans understand Rattie.  I believe that if we, ratties and humans, come together in the spirit of cooperation we can build a common language bridge that will enable us to peacefully coexist in Rattieland.          

I think it would be great if other Rattie candidates submitted banners and got them put in the rotation for the site.    As for Murphy's banner, it's been up about a week, and I think it's about time for a new one to go up.

At this point in his candidacy, it is rumored that Murphy Hancock is entertaining invitations by both the Justice League of America and The Avengers.   Why?  What could this mean?

Murphy Hancock could not be reached for further comment at this time and was last seen dashing for a phone booth to change into his costume.... unfortunately they don't have phone booths anymore, so this might take a while.  Updates will be provided as they come in...

My Dearest Katie Scarlett,

     I have just viewed you latest campaign poster.  Oh, my dear, you are a picture of loveliness in lavender.  I must say that no one can accessorize an outfit like you.  Your jewelry and hair ribbon are quite fetching. 

     I am distressed by today's events and it is my hope above hopes that you will remain in the contest.  Does your dear mother still intend to publish a presidential edition of your magazine?  If not, I quite understand.  I understand that your mother and father live on a lake.  I am sure it is lovely this time of year.  Please enjoy the picturesque beauty of nature to destress with your parents.  

I remain your most humble servant,

Marley--Lord Dunmore the Duke of Albemarle 

P. S. I am sending you some lovely lavender calla lillies.  I hope you enjoy them.

P. P. S.  Please check your PMs

My Dearest Marley,

Oh my!  The lavender lilies are lusciously lovely.  Fiddle-dee-dee, I’m running over with l’s !  Thank you and thank you for the compliments.  Lavender is one of my favorite colors.  Accessorizing is very important to the complete fashion outlook; so glad you noticed.  Mother thought it might show too much, dare I say, cleavage, but I thought it perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

Yes indeedy, I will be doing a presidential magazine edition even if you and I are the only ones to participate.  I will also continue with my monthly issues until I become bored.

If you have not noticed by now, I am a fairly independent young Rattie belle.  What Mama does or doesn’t do – well I just don’t give a fiddle-dee-dee’s worth.

I’ll still be on here because, frankly my dear, you are too much for me to leave.

Oh, I fear I am becoming quite the brazen hussy!

Yours,

K.S,

To My Fellow Ratties,

Just a reminder that I am on a short vacation with my sister Dixie.  Never fear, I will be working on campaign strategy while I’m away and probably staying up late giggling with my sister about that handsome Marley.

See you all when I get back.

Love and kisses,

Katie Scarlett

P.S.  Dixie made this sign.  I am much more literate than she is!

It's true.  Murphy (Candidate for the Rattie Presidency) is...

 Incredi-PUP!

What can Incredi-Pup do, you ask?  What are his powers?!

He can leap up onto kitchen counters in a single bound!

He can chew through a pair of heels in less than 30 seconds!

He can run with amazing speed in the opposite direction when he hears the bath start.

He has many other powers that will be exposed over time.  And as all true super-heroes do, he has a weakness.  His only known WEAKNESS are Wendy's FRENCH FRIES... which bring him to his knees if consumed.

A super-hero puppy for president...? meh.  we've had worse.

For Immediate Release. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .From the Headquarters of Marley for President

     Monday in Chicago presidential candidate Marley was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show.  While on the show Marley revealed his secrets for being a multi-bulystickaire and outlined his presidential platform.  After the program the noted talk show hostess declared Marley "the rattie to beat" and endorsed his bid for president."