Mad Cow disease

[DarthKosh]

A majority of the residents of the states would have to come down with the human version of mad cow disease in order to vote for Dean.

Why blame Bush?  Blame Canada! (they had a BSE-infected cow earlier in the year I think)

The news I am hearing is that the cow with Mad Cow is from Canada.

[DarthKosh]

The incumbent tends to get damaged by bad things happening, regardless whether he has actually done something wrong or not. Secondly, I read in the paper that Bush might be forced to go up against the meat industry, which could hurt him financially (or, if he doesn't, he could be hurt in the public opinion). But you are probably more updated than I am, I just read about it in my morning paper, and it claimed that it could possibly hurt Bush reelection chances, not dramatically of course. For the record, I am not suggesting that an outbreak of BSE will prevent Bush from winning. Just that it might be harmful, and the Dems need everything they can get.

Are you saying that mad cow disease will hurt bush's chances of re-election?  I hope you're kidding.

If it turns out to not be a big thing, than obviously not. The first information I received gave a more apocalyptic image. As it seems now, obviously not. Still, had it been a real, widespread outbreak making people stop buying meat, with some dying and a heated debate about who's to blame, then it could have hurt him, yes. Otherwise not. I don't see why you think it so absurd? Anything bad happening will most likely harm Bush, just like anything good will help him.

You have a greater change of catching small pox then mad cow.