Bush Gives Publicity to Beef Industry...

[Guest guest]

WHY DID BUSH SIT NEXT TO SASHA COHEN AT THE OLYMPICS?

Just Ask " Where's the Beef " ?

 

By BuzzFlash Reader Alan Balch

 

On the afternoon of Friday, February 8th, George W.

Bush spoke at the National Cattlemen’s Beef

Associations annual meeting in Denver. “We want the

people in China eating U.S. beef” the President stated

to thunderous approval. He reminded them that he has

done much for the beef industry and cattle ranchers,

and that he plans to do more (see

http://199.117.58.133/newsroom/ncba/2002/02_0208a.htm).

 

No doubt, Bush’s appearance at this event netted

thousands of dollars in campaign contributions for the

GOP. In each of the last three election cycles, the

National Cattleman’s Beef Association gave nearly a

half a million dollars in political contributions, for

a six-year total of nearly $1.3 million. Roughly 85%

percent of these donations in each of the last three

election cycles have gone to Republicans.

 

Later that same day, Bush traveled to Utah and

participated in the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter

Olympics. After appearing in the national anthem

ceremony, Bush showed up sitting in the stands amongst

the US athletes. NBC showed him humbly perched next

to a shocked and giggly young lady who handed Bush her

cell phone so he could say hi to her mommy. The young

girl was figure skater Sasha Cohen. A few nights

later, NBC interviewed Sasha and played up the

Presidential encounter including a quick interview

with the mother. Sasha gushed about her fondness for

the President. While endearing, NBC’s somewhat over

the top coverage of the entire event and Sasha’s

almost too glowing endorsement of the President

prompted the eternal political cynic in me to do a

little digging.

 

Of the 211 members of the US Olympic squad, guess

which one has the unique distinction of being the

official youth spokesperson for the National

Cattlemen’s Beef Association? A shiny new donkey for

anyone who answered Sasha Cohen.

 

Sasha was elevated to the post just a few days after

the events of 9-11. James Sease, Chairman of the SC

Beef Board said at the time: " We are so fortunate to

have Sasha on board…This is a great way to reach the

consumers of tomorrow---and today” (see

http://www.scda.state.sc.us/2001_PRS/September/Beef_Effort.html).

 

 

And the Beef Association is planning to put their new

spokesperson to good use. On February 6th (just 2 days

before Bush's appearance at their annual convention),

the Beef Association announced plans for an April 2002

media blitz featuring Sasha. " To reach young girls

with a positive message about beef, " the Beef folks

will run one-page, full-color ads featuring Sasha " in

11 high-profile youth publications beginning in

April. " The youth program Sasha is the spokesperson

for targets what the Beef Association calls “tween

girls...between ages 8 and 12...who will be moms in

not too many years " and they just wants these

youngsters to " understand the benefits of including

beef in their diets. " The Association gloats: " this ad

campaign is projected to provide more than 13 million

impressions to the targeted age group through

magazines they read " (see

http://199.117.58.133/newsroom/ncba/2002/02_0206g.htm).

 

How convenient for the Beef industry that their youth

spokesperson was featured in a heart warming photo

shoot with our Commander and Chief viewed by 70

million TV viewers just a few weeks before launching a

major media blitz featuring that spokesperson. No

doubt this ad campaign as well as their youth

spokesperson's profile will get a huge boost thanks to

Bush's Olympic shenanigans. I wonder how much that

kind of publicity costs?

 

 

 

 

 

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