AP: Liberal groups push to exploit Target backlash

[BurtWorm]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Liberal-groups-push-to-apf-2321043209.html?x=0


Rafael Moraeaya hands out leaflets near Target Corp. headquarters Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010 in Minneapolis to demonstrate against Republican Tom Emmer's tough stance on illegal immigration. Emmer is running for governor. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Martiga Lohn, Associated Press Writer, On Friday August 13, 2010, 9:32 am EDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) --

...

A national gay rights group is negotiating with Target officials, demanding that the firm balance the scale by making comparable donations to benefit candidates it favors. Meanwhile, the controversy is threatening to complicate Target's business plans in other urban markets. Several city officials in San Francisco, one of the cities where Target hopes to expand, have begun criticizing the company.

...

But conservative organizations are likely to react harshly if Target makes significant concessions to the left-leaning groups.

The flap has revealed new implications of a recent Supreme Court ruling that appeared to benefit corporations by clearing the way for them to spend company funds directly in elections. Companies taking sides in political campaigns risk alienating customers who back other candidates.

Target's $150,000 donation to a business-oriented group supporting Republican Tom Emmer, an outspoken opponent of gay marriage, was one of the first big corporate contributions to become known after the U.S. Supreme Court threw out prohibitions on corporate spending in elections earlier this year.

The Minneapolis-based chain has gone from defending the donation as a business decision to apologizing and saying it would carefully review its future giving. But the protests have continued.

...

[qb]

1. Gregg Steinhafel messed up Target's plans to expand in San Francisco...

And he maxed out his personal contributions to Michele Bachman.
How does a moran like that get to be CEO of a giant retailer?

[BurtWorm]

2. I've never set foot in Target and now I never will set foot in one.

Michelle Bachmann and Emmers?

:wtf:

[qb]

3. I'm adding Holiday gas stations to my boycott list

"MN Forward has continued to collect corporate money after the backlash against Target, bringing in $110,000 through Tuesday from businesses including Holiday Cos. gas stations"