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If Dick Cheney's Dogs Can Dress Up, So Can You

by Claire O'Neill

Here's an idea: Why don't we just have a costume contest to see who wins this presidential election? That would be way more fun and fair.

America, after all, can be divided up into two camps: those who are comfortable embarrassing themselves on Halloween and those who aren't. Here's a look at some past politicians getting into the holiday spirit.

  • President Obama is trying to justify his lack of costume and Michelle is NOT. HAVING. IT. This is what happens when you don't dress up. (The Obamas greet trick-or-treaters at the White House in 2009.)
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    President Obama is trying to justify his lack of costume and Michelle is NOT. HAVING. IT. This is what happens when you don't dress up. (The Obamas greet trick-or-treaters at the White House in 2009.)
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    Kristoffer Tripplaar/Pool/Getty Images
  • I mean, if Dick Cheney's dogs can do it, so can you. (Jackson, i.e., Darth Vader, and Dave, i.e., Superman, at the then-vice president's residence in 2007.)
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    I mean, if Dick Cheney's dogs can do it, so can you. (Jackson, i.e., Darth Vader, and Dave, i.e., Superman, at the then-vice president's residence in 2007.)
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    David Bohrer/AP
  • The best thing about being veep is that you can wear ridiculous things, obviously. (Al and Tipper Gore pose as Beauty and the Beast at their residence in 1995.)
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    The best thing about being veep is that you can wear ridiculous things, obviously. (Al and Tipper Gore pose as Beauty and the Beast at their residence in 1995.)
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    AP
  • The Gores clearly hated Halloween. (At their residence in 1997.)
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    The Gores clearly hated Halloween. (At their residence in 1997.)
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    AP
  • In 1999, the Gores dressed as 1960s cartoon characters Underdog and Polly Purebred — as Al Gore was vying for the Democratic Party nomination for president.
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    In 1999, the Gores dressed as 1960s cartoon characters Underdog and Polly Purebred — as Al Gore was vying for the Democratic Party nomination for president.
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    Chris Kleponis/AFP/Getty Images
  • Richard Nixon addresses a crowd while campaigning for president against John F. Kennedy in 1960. To his right is 10-year-old Tom Lemke, in a ghost costume that reads "Jack Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance," referring to Kennedy. Nixon called attention to the boy when he saw him in the crowd. So, moral of the story: Wearing a costume can make you famous.
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    Richard Nixon addresses a crowd while campaigning for president against John F. Kennedy in 1960. To his right is 10-year-old Tom Lemke, in a ghost costume that reads "Jack Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance," referring to Kennedy. Nixon called attention to the boy when he saw him in the crowd. So, moral of the story: Wearing a costume can make you famous.
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    AP
  • President John F. Kennedy Jr., greets Halloween visitors in the Oval Office, 1963. Bonus: That is a kitten in the child's hand on the left.
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    President John F. Kennedy Jr., greets Halloween visitors in the Oval Office, 1963. Bonus: That is a kitten in the child's hand on the left.
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    Cecil Stoughton/Nation Archives
  • President Jimmy Carter and first lady, Rosalynn, watch their daughter, Amy, and her friends carve pumpkins for Amy’s 10th birthday party. (One of many reasons why it pays to have friends with October birthdays.)
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    President Jimmy Carter and first lady, Rosalynn, watch their daughter, Amy, and her friends carve pumpkins for Amy’s 10th birthday party. (One of many reasons why it pays to have friends with October birthdays.)
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    AP
  • Ronald Reagan greets children in Michigan while campaigning for president in 1980. If Romney and President Obama want to be taken seriously as candidates, they better have candy is all I'm saying.
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    Ronald Reagan greets children in Michigan while campaigning for president in 1980. If Romney and President Obama want to be taken seriously as candidates, they better have candy is all I'm saying.
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    AP
  • Here's George W. Bush not knowing what to do with a baby duck. (Bush held 5-month-old Jessica DeNoma while campaigning in 2004.)
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    Here's George W. Bush not knowing what to do with a baby duck. (Bush held 5-month-old Jessica DeNoma while campaigning in 2004.)
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    Stephen Jaffe/AFP/Getty Images
  • The good thing is: If you're not a politician, you can be one for Halloween! That's scary, right?
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    The good thing is: If you're not a politician, you can be one for Halloween! That's scary, right?
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    Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
  • "Waaaiiit a minuuuute. Hey now, Jay. That's not funny!" (George Bush makes an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno while campaigning in 2000.)
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    "Waaaiiit a minuuuute. Hey now, Jay. That's not funny!" (George Bush makes an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno while campaigning in 2000.)
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    Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images

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IMPORTANT POLL TIME:

Did/Will You Dress Up This Year?

  1. Duh!
  2. Lame.

Leave your responses in the comments section.

Comments

 

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