A DOGS AND PONY SHOW?

Most Expensive Hot Dog In The World Named After Phelps Campaign To Support United States Paralympic Team In Beijing

Staten Island, NY - former Assemblyman Bob Straniere, the conservative Republican candidate for Congress in New York's 13th District, today celebrated the achievements of the United States Olympic Team by naming the most expensive Hot Dogs in the world after some of the best athletes who performed in Beijing and offered them through his campaign until the start of the Paralympics in Beijing on September 6th. Straniere also highlighted the upcoming Paralympics in Beijing and encouraged Americans to support these great American athletes.

The Gold Dogs which cost $4,600 were named after Michael Phelps, the Walsh/May-Treanor duo and the Decathlon winner Bryan Clay.

The Silver Dogs which cost $2,300 were named after Dara Torres, the Women's Gymnastic Team (Johnson, Liukin, Memmel, Peszek, Sacramone and Sloan) along with the four New Yorkers who brought home silver medals from the fencing competition in Beijing (Brooklyn siblings Errin and Keeth Smart, Upper Eastsider Emily Cross and Tim Morehouse from the Bronx).

The Bronze Dogs which cost $1,000 were named after the U.S. Baseball Team, the great runner Walter Dix and Jason Lezak who finished third in the men's 100m freestyle but was the key anchor for the men's 4X100 freestyle relay that gave Phelps his 8th gold medal.

Bob Straniere said, "What better way to celebrate the incredible success of the United States Olympic achievements than by mixing in hot dogs and politics. As the next Congressmen from the 13th District of New York, I will aim to represent the taxpayers of Staten Island and Brooklyn as well as these young men and women represented the United States in Beijing. We are very proud of all the athletes who competed in the Olympics."

"For those who can't stomach politics but still have a very expensive appetite and want to try the most expensive Hot Dogs in the world, a donation to support the upcoming United States Paralympics Team will suffice," Straniere continued.

The Gold Dogs will be sold for contributions of $4,600 to Bob's congressional campaign, the Silver Dogs will be sold for contributions of $2,300 to Bob's congressional campaign, and the Bronze Dogs will be sold for contributions of $1,000 to Bob's congressional campaign. They are being supplied by Bob Straniere's New York City Hot Dog Company which he owns with his two sons and will be hand-delivered throughout the five boroughs of New York City (donors outside of New York City will be sent over-night delivery).

ABOUT THE MEDAL DOGS

THE GOLD HOT DOGS - $4,600 each

The Phelps Dog: a 12,000 calorie training dog with 8 toppings and a complimentary Rockstar energy drink (one Kobe beef dog topped with mac-n-cheese, onions in sauce, sauerkraut, baked breaded chicken bites, beef chili, French fries, cheddar cheese and homemade baked beans)

The Walsh/May-Treanor Dogs: The Walsh Dog is a Turkey dog with 2 BEEF meatballs-n-marinara sauce topped with mozzarella cheese and the May-Treanor Dog is a Turkey dog with 2 VEGGIE meatballs-n-marinara sauce topped with mozzarella cheese

The Bryan Clay Dog: Two Kobe beef dogs sliced into 5 pieces each topped with roasted sweet corn, young peas, carrots, butter, salt, pepper, raw onions, Franks Red Hot sauce, chopped olives and feta cheese crumbles; with the 10 toppings it will take two days to finish and a complimentary box of Wheaties with each order

THE SILVER HOT DOGS - $2,300 each

The New Yorker Dogs: Four Hot Dogs named after the four New Yorkers who brought home medals to the Big Apple. The Errin Smart Dog is a lamb-casting bison hot dog dressed with feta cheese, olive oil, hummus and sun-dried tomatoes; it will be served on a whole wheat bun and stuck with little plastic swords. The Keeth Smart Dog is a monster spicy sausage dressed with feta cheese, mozzarella and cheddar cheese; it will be served on a whole wheat bun and stuck with little plastic swords. The Emily Cross Dog will be two beef dogs crossed over one another on a whole wheat bun topped with deli mustard and ketchup 'X'-ed on top; they will be held in place with a little plastic sword. The Tim Morehouse Dog is a beef dog with sour cream, salsa and jalapenos, topped with a mountain of crumbled tri-color nacho chips.

The Dara Torres Dog: A lamb-casting bison hot dog with fresh mesclun leaves, mushrooms, cucumber and grape tomatoes covered in blue cheese dressing

The Women's Gymnastics Team Dog: One Hebrew National beef dog with 6 toppings for each member of the team fresh salsa (Johnson), jalapenos (Liukin), guacamole (Sacramone), bacon bits (Memmel), cheddar cheese (Peszek) and apricot chipolte mustard (Sloan)

THE BRONZE HOT DOGS - $1,000 each

US Baseball Team Dog: one beef dog with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo and a complimentary six-pack of Budweiser beer and a box of Cracker Jacks (assuming donor is of legal age and it complies with state and local laws, otherwise non-alcoholic beer will be substituted)

The Walter Dix Dogs: Three Hebrew National Puppy Dogs topped with homemade baked beans, cheddar cheese and to recognize the greatness of Jamaican-runner Usain Bolt, this dog will be topped with spicy soy-wasabi sauce.

About Bob:

Bob Straniere is a former New York State Assemblyman who represented Staten Island for 24 years. He is a proud husband, father of four and grandfather of five. He is a successful entrepreneur and committed public servant. While Bob was a Member of the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee, he fought for lower taxes, less government and more freedom. He is a graduate of Wagner College and New York University Law School. He has served for 25 years as an Independent Director of over 30 different American Mutual Funds, including equity, bond, international, tax-exempt and money market funds. As a Congressman, Bob will fight to increase funding for homeland security to protect our ports and tackle the transportation issues facing the district. He supports commonsense energy solutions that combine immediate tax relief for families and a combination of long-term solutions including drilling for more oil and investing in alternative sources of energy. Bob will continu e to be a great advocate for our brave veterans and their families and will continue his fight to protect our most vulnerable citizens: seniors and children.

About the 13th Congressional District of NYS (the Republican District of New York City):

* The 13th Congressional District for the United States House of Representatives includes all of Staten Island and the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, and Gravesend in Brooklyn.

* For more than 27 years, this Congressional District has been represented by Republicans.

* Congressman Vito Fossella currently represents the 13th Congressional District but is retiring after more than a decade of public service. 

* In 2006, the worst year for New York Republicans in generations (Elliot Spitzer elected Governor and Hillary Clinton elected Senator), Congressman Fossella was re-elected with more than 56% of the vote.

* In 2004, with President George W. Bush defeating Senator John Kerry in Staten Island by over 13 points, Congressman Fossella won by 26 points.

* In 2000, with Vice President Al Gore carrying the district against Governor George W. Bush, Congressman Fossella won with 65% of the vote.

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