From the ArcaMax Publishing, Cats & Dogs Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/catsanddogs/s-173665-526703
Richard Nixon's dog, Checkers, is perhaps one of the most famous
canines in political history as he is credited by some as saving the
political career of then vice-presidential candidate Nixon.
His "Checkers speech" was given on September 23, 1952, when he was the
candidate Vice President. The speech was one of the first political
uses of television to appeal directly to the populace. Nixon had been
accused of accepting $18,000 in illegal campaign contributions and
used the address to reveal the results of an independent audit which
completely exonerated him.
The one contribution he admitted receiving was from a Texas traveling
salesman named Lou Carrol who gave his family a cocker spaniel, which
his daughter named "Checkers." Nixon admitted that this gift could be
made into an issue by some, but maintained that he didn't care,
stating "the kids, like all kids, love the dog and I just want to say
this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we're gonna
keep it."