West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice brings out his bulldog Babydog to huge cheers at the Republican convention… and claims she can ‘predict the future’
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice brought his favorite accessory to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Tuesday night: his psychic bulldog, Babydog.
Justice is vying for the Senate seat currently held by retiring Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin — and likely to flip it to the GOP in the fall.
During Justice’s years in office, the chubby English bulldog has been his faithful companion, serving as Punxsutawney Phil and sports forecaster for the Mountain State.
Justice told the crowd she had some thoughts about the November election during the dog’s performance Tuesday night.
“Babydog has a prediction for everybody here,” Justice said. “Babydog says we’re going to keep the majority in the House of Representatives, we’re going to flip the United States Senate, and we’re going to overwhelmingly elect Donald J. Trump and J.D. Vance in November.”
Babydog, the bulldog of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, who is running for U.S. Senate, made a surprise cameo at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday night
Governor Jim Justice (right) sat during his speech at Congress and had an attendant lay Babydog down next to him
Babydog, who plays a sports and weather forecaster – à la Punxsutawney Phil – in West Virginia, makes a surprise appearance at the RNC on Tuesday night
Justice was asked to speak on the second day of the Republican National Convention during a segment of the program in which all of the GOP Senate candidates gave speeches.
He stood out because he was sitting.
Justice walked onto the stage and sat down on a chair behind the stage, while an empty armchair sat next to him on the stage.
At the beginning of his speech, Justice spoke about the greatness of West Virginia.
“We want you to come try us out sometime,” Justice said.
Then he got down to business.
“Now that I’ve said all that, I know a lot of you want to meet my little friend,” he said. “Now if only Babydog could come over here.”
Babydog walks onto the stage at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday after being placed on a recliner during Governor Jim Justice’s speech
Justice alleged that Babydog predicted the Senate would fall to the Republicans, that the House of Representatives would remain in Republican hands, and that the White House would be won by former President Donald Trump and his new running mate, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio.
Governor Jim Justice said of Babydog, “She makes you laugh and she loves everybody. How can the message be any simpler than that?”
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice leaves the stage, followed by Babydog, Tuesday night during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee
An attendant carried the bulldog outside and placed her in the armchair.
“And now that the world is watching, you didn’t expect that, did you?” Justice asked the crowd.
They shouted and cheered.
“She makes you laugh and she loves everyone,” he cheered. “How can the message be any simpler than that.”
Although the GOP tried to promote the theme of unity Tuesday night, Justice himself predicted disunity if the party’s nominee did not win.
“We will be devastated if Donald Trump is not elected in November,” the Senate candidate said.