Richard Nixon

President Richard Nixon's dog.

Checkers Nixon was a dog received by Nixon and most famously mentioned in Nixon's "Checkers Speech", where he defended himself against accusations of receiving gifts and improper funds. In the speech, he said that no matter what, he was keeping the little dog, which his daughter had named Checkers. The speech helped to save Nixon's appearance by pulling on heartstrings.

Richard Nixon

(see Related Question below)

Richard Nixon made this noteworthy speech after he was accused to improprieties with campaign funding. "Checkers" was a dog that he had accepted as a gift.

Nixon was famous for owning a dog named Checkers, who was given to him. Checkers saved his political career: after Nixon was accused of taking political kickbacks, he gave a speech in which he said the only thing he'd been given by a contributor was a little dog his kids named Checkers, and he wouldn't give the dog back. (Google "Checkers speech.)