NELSON ROCKEFELLER once said "No candidate for any office can hope to get elected in this country without being photographed eating a hot dog." Over the years, this has become known as Rockefeller's Dictum and has come true with a vengeance. In more recent years it has led to what one reporter calls "the politicalization of food". Now you're just as likely to see a candidate having a hot dog as you are to see them kissing babies, cutting the ribbon at a supermarket grand opening or showing up unannounced at a local press conference. And it's a growth industry and applies all across the spectrum, not only to the noble wiener or BBQ (the original campaign comestible), but to cheesesteaks, pancakes, corn dogs, fish frys, burgers, waffles, ice cream, a bowl of chili, virtually anything remotely considered American fare and, to quote a recent TV piece "Woe to the candidate who fails to show an appreciation for the local delicacies".

And for you internet babies, Rockefeller (yes, of THOSE Rockefellers), was, among many other things, the 41st Vice President of the United States, 49th Governor of New York State and a 3 time Presidential candidate.

FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT: As the creation of the hot dog is shrouded in mystery, so are the early days of the Presidential wiener but we have uncovered a few fun facts to share with you. Our earliest account of hot dogs and The White House dates back to FDR's reign, when he served hot dogs to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England (parents of the current Queen Elizabeth II) on their tour of the US in 1939.