This is a fascinating story.
We noted recently that Minnesota-based Target had availed itself of the new freedom created by the Citizen’s United decision to give $150,000 to support far-right Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. And in so doing they reaped a big backlash. Target’s aim seems to have been to support Emmer’s economic policies. But the backlash came over Emmer’s extremely anti-gay policy stands. (He’s also really against waiters.)
Target’s CEO has now taken the pretty extraordinary step of issuing a public apology for the donation.
Target, as it happens, has a quite good corporate record on LGBT issues and workplace policies. So it’s a fascinating example of how cross-cutting and complicated Citizen’s United giving may turn out to be.
