"After a case of mad cow disease [3] surfaced in Washington State late last year, federal regulators vowed to move swiftly to adopt rules to reduce the risks of further problems. ... But a few weeks ago, the Food and Drug Administration, after heavy lobbying from the beef and feed industries, took steps to delay - and ... possibly kill" new animal feed regulations. Shortly after the FDA announcement, "the National Cattlemen's Beef Association [4] broke its nonpartisan tradition and endorsed President Bush [5]." Regulatory delays are common before elections, but some say "the tightness in the polls and the strong industry ties to the White House [6]" have worsened the trend this year.