Who loves puppies more?

Apparently, this is an actual issue in the Maryland Senate race. Now, come on, I know we joke about Dick Cheney eating puppies, but this is ridiculous. From the Reliable Source column in the Post:

The Puppy War -- also known as the Maryland Senate campaign -- is heating up. Republican Michael Steele told us he loves puppies, while cuddling a cute Boston terrier, in a high-profile television ad. Dems backing Ben Cardin countered that Steele might love puppies, but not as much as he loves President Bush . The puppy resurfaced yesterday in a new Steele ad, growling.

Time for the canine truth squad: The dog in the commercials is an actor -- 8-month-old Mr. Moesby , owned by Republican consultant Brad Todd . Steele has a male Siberian husky named Ares -- who, at 3 years old, is hardly a puppy. Cardin doesn't own any dogs at the moment, although his wife swears he loves chocolate Labs and used to have cocker spaniels.

The only Free State candidate with a real puppy at home is Martin O'Malley . Son William , 8, got an Airedale mix named Scout in July.

Just for the record, Ed Rendell loves puppies, although his two dogs have since aged out of that category. We also have a huge portrait of a golden retriever hanging in our office (it's over Brendan's desk, lucky Brendan). It was a gift from one of the Gov's supporters that never quite made it to the Gov, kinda like the bowling ball.