The hoopla has finally reached a crescendo. The months of hype have finally produced something tangible.



The Obamas have a dog. Let the free world rejoice.



Yes, on Tuesday the first family introduced “Bo,” a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog, to the masses. The Obamas and Bo hammed it up for the cameras, resulting in plenty of “oh my goshs” and “how freakin’ adorables” from media types on hand for the monumental canine unveiling. The president even went as far as to suggest that Bo has “star quality.”



It was precious, and sweet, and oh-so picture perfect.



It was also a lost opportunity.



Don’t get me wrong. Bo is obviously cute, and I have no doubt his time as first dog will be spent doing the most important Presidential doggy tasks — like fetching, sitting, rolling over, and leaving landmines in the first yard for Republicans to step in.

But it could have been so much more.



No, I’m not talking about the fact that Obama initially said he’d be “rescuing” a dog from shelter, but then, instead, went with a blue-blooded pooch that was a gift from Ted Kennedy. I find that move brilliant, actually. How better to deflect the possible fallout of rescinding a promise to save a lost dog than make it a gift from cancer stricken Teddy?

And, no, I’m not talking about the fact that I’ve never even heard of a Portuguese water dog. Had anyone, really? Apparently, the little buggers have webbed feet, but that’s neither here nor there.



What I’m talking about is the chance Obama had to make a statement — a statement that could have continued Obama’s legacy of breaking down stereotypes and uneducated misconceptions.



The Obamas should have chosen a pit bull. Imagine what a photo-op it would have been.

Once American’s premiere dog, revered for its loyalty and instincts — a U.S. icon during World War I and a star of The Little Rascals — the pit bull has fallen on hard times. Thanks to unethical and disgusting breeding tactics, the repulsive popularity of dog fighting, a number of high profile attacks, and a general hysteria fanned by the media, the pit bull has become feared and loathed almost equally. For a creature that, let us not forget, humans created and Americans once adored, the pit bull is now, quite possibly, the most stereotyped and discriminated against dog in history. The fact that — like any dog — a pit bull’s personality and behavior is almost completely determined by the actions of its owner doesn’t seem to matter to most people. What does matter is pit bulls scare them.



So, then, picture the impact it could have had on the plight of the pit bull if the Obamas had chosen one for the White House. Imagine how public perception could have changed once TV cameras showed the Obamas’ new pit bull playfully rolling in the grass with the Commander in Chief, or better yet, frolicking with Malia and Sasha (contrary to popular belief, pit bulls don’t actually bite the face off any child they meet simply for sport).

It could have been so big. If any dog needs a massive dose of positive PR, it’s the pit bull. And there’s really no better PR for a mutt than becoming first dog.



Instead, we got a Portuguese water dog. Cute and fluffy, sure, but it could have been more.