Cattle Branding and Presidential Politics

This story is just made for the Agricultural Law blog. Cowboys and cattle that evoke images of Texas range land and independent ranchers; and maybe even early animal welfare concerns.

It turns out that the term "maverick," the signature image claimed by the Republican candidates McCain and Palin comes from Samuel Augustus Maverick, a Texas Rancher in the 1800s who refused to accept the practice of branding his cattle. His last name became associated with that of an independent-minded person, as as did unbranded cattle, also known as "Maverick's."

A nice little agricultural law connection to an election that has otherwise not been very much about food or agriculture.

But now for the news and the fun video - turns out that the Maverick family don't think much of John McCain, and the constant call out of their name is quite annoying.