National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Statement: Presidential Election Countdown 2004

Marden Wilber, California cattle producer

and chairman of NCBA’s Political Action Committee

October 19, 2004

“With just two weeks left before the 2004 presidential election, it is imperative that cattle producers across the country make an extra effort to get out the vote in their states. Some fellow cattle industry folks are still confused about the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association PAC endorsement of Bush, and may be undecided. President Bush is the best candidate for our industry, and here are the basic top five reasons.

Bush Understands Our Industry

“We must choose a candidate who will best protect and enhance the profitability of cattle producers. In today’s modernized urban world, the majority of Americans, especially politicians inside the beltway, do not understand the rural experience. The unique lifestyle of farming and ranching is mysterious to most politicians. We need a president with the background and understanding of today's ranching and beef industry. President Bush’s leadership in Texas brings appreciation of the ‘cowboy way’ to the White House like no other president in recent history. President Bush understands that a healthy economic outlook means having a healthy agricultural sector.

“Opposing candidate Sen. John Kerry has lived a highly urban existence, with minimal consideration given to the needs of agriculture. He said unequivocally that Congress should ’get rid‘ of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the very agency responsible for the implementation of the 2002 Farm Bill. But President Bush adamantly pushed for and signed the 2002 Farm Bill, which reforms the farm safety net, promotes American products abroad and includes record amounts of conservation funding for working lands.

Bush Tax Policies Support Our Businesses

“In 2003, President Bush signed into a law his economic stimulus initiative which contained bold tax incentives for small businesses, farmers and ranchers, and offered more than $4 billion in benefits to U.S. producers in the first year. The president’s plans have reduced the tax rate on capital gains, increased expensing of capital investment (i.e. farm implement purchases), and more. For President Bush, the growth and success of American small businesses is a top priority.

“Of utmost importance, President Bush is dedicated to pushing for permanent repeal of the Death Tax. This should be a huge decision-maker when it comes to voting on Nov. 2. Those of us who work the land and understand the real impact of this tax must fight for permanent repeal. Sen. John Kerry has voted against the president’s tax relief measures and has voted in favor of higher taxes 350 times. Sen. Kerry did not support permanent repeal of the Death Tax, voting at least 13 times against full repeal.

Bush Supports Ranching on Private/Public Lands

“President Bush believes that the best stewards of the land are those who depend on it for their livelihood and he has always been a supporter of private landowners. In addition, he agrees with the principles of multiple use on federal lands, and that resource development and environmental protection can exist simultaneously. He has continuously worked to protect the rights of grazing permitees. President Bush has worked unwaveringly to insert reason and science into the debate on environmental policy and better protect the rights of private property owners. Under this Administration, funding for conservation programs has nearly doubled.

“Sen. John Kerry was named an ’Enemy of Private Property Rights‘ by the League of Private Property Voters. He has a zero percent voting record on property rights issues. He is endorsed by activist groups that do not consider producers to be stewards of the land, and fight livestock grazing and producers rights, like the Sierra Club, who says: ’No other human activity in the West is as responsible for the decline or loss of species as is livestock production.’ Sen. Kerry has plans to call for increased environmental and economic review for leasing public lands, increased bonding requirements for those who lease public lands, reinstatement of the protection of road less areas in our national forests, and phasing out of use of snowmobiles on public lands.

Bush Trade Policies For the Future

“President Bush’s record on trade is one of the most aggressive in history. His trade agenda is valuable to cattle producers who depend on increased market opportunities outside the U.S. to grow their businesses. The president has said he will ’work tirelessly to open up markets for agricultural products all over the world,’ and he has taken a firm stand against protectionism and isolationism to protect against the negative impact on American agriculture producers. In 2002, President Bush signed Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) into law. NCBA worked many long hours for this outcome. President Bush is dedicated to renewing this in 2005.

“Sen. John Kerry wanted to eliminate the Market Promotion Program, which is critical to promoting U.S. agricultural products overseas, and opposes the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) as currently negotiated by President Bush. He has not indicated support extending presidential trade negotiating authority (TPA), which expires June 1, 2005. Without TPA, it would be almost impossible for the White House to reach trade deals. In addition, his running-mate, Sen. John Edwards, has been considered protectionist.

Bush Respects Producer’s Dedication to Animal Health

“The Bush Administration is committed to working with producers and with our industry on efforts to better ensure the health of our cattle herd in the U.S. It is important to maintain the working relationship we have fostered. The U.S. has the safest beef in the world, and President Bush is extremely confident in the safety of the food supply. USDA's enhanced surveillance program has yet to detect a second case of BSE after testing over 80,000 animals.  President Bush insists that a rational, science-based approach be followed in regards to BSE, consistent with Harvard-risk analysis.

“Sen. Kerry questioned the science pertaining to the U.S.'s BSE risk.  After Dec. 23, Kerry told national media ’I am calling on President Bush to act immediately to improve our food safety and inspection process.’ He believes additional surveillance beyond the current, highly sophisticated USDA program is needed.

“For more information on this important election, please go to our Web sites listed below. Get this message out to friends and neighbors, and we’ll see you at the polls on Nov. 2.”

~ visit our web sites at www.beefusa.org or hill.beef.org  ~

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is the largest organization representing America’s cattle industry.  Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the industry leader in education, influencing public policy to improve producer profitability and in preserving the industry’s heritage and future.  Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org