The Moderate Republican

How Sniffles Could Cost Bush the Election

I remember hearing a story about the mayor of Chicago in the mid 70s. A monster snowstorm strangled the city and he did not get the plows on the roads in time. He found himself looking for job when the next election rolled around.

This presidential election could be won or lost on a sneeze.

Eleanor Clift has an interesting take on the mishap concerning the flu vaccine and how the Bushies messed this one up. She also slams Kerry for not seizing the opportunity to criticize Bush because if the government can't preventing the flu how can they handle a bio-terror attack? Here is the money quote:

"We are on the brink of a public-health catastrophe three years after 9/11. Health officials already fearful about a possible flu pandemic were meeting in Washington last week when word came about the vaccine shortage. A front-page story in The Washington Post said a local Giant supermarket was like a scene out of Lourdes with elderly people in wheelchairs or with walkers and canes pleading for the vaccine. At the Giant near Leisure World, a retirement community in Maryland, there was a four-hour wait for the limited supply of vaccine. The elderly showed up at 4:30 in the morning with their lawn chairs to get a place in line.

What would this administration do if we were faced with a bio-terrorism attack? If they are unprepared for a predictable event like the annual onset of flu, how can the voters have confidence in the nation’s public-health system? Bush volunteered that he would forego a flu shot this year, and called upon others who are not at high risk to skip their shot, as well. That’s hardly reassuring since if Bush so much as sneezes, the finest doctors will be there to minister to him.

In the 18 days until the election, the candidates must look for ways to break through and get the attention of the voters. The lack of flu vaccine affects every family. It is ready-made to take off as a political issue. Someone made a mistake. Where is the accountability?"

Clift is correct. The flu hits every family. Back in 1996, I got the flu. I got better and went back to work. While recuperating, I caught another bug, that turned into pneumonia. I was in the hospital for two weeks.

This president has talked about being prepared to defend the homeland and yet, it has failed to protect people from something as routine as the flu. And what would this president do if, God forbid, there is another flu pandemic as there was back in 1918 which claimed 20 million lives?

I think when it comes to national security, this Adminstration talks tough, but fails to plan adaquately. Such a shame.

Posted by Dennis at October 18, 2004 12:31 AM