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Sorry About That Donation: Target CEO

Gregg Steinhafel apologizes, but doesn't renounce donation

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 6, 2010 8:01 AM CDT

(Newser) – Responding to the boycott of his company, Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel apologized to employees for donating to political group MN Forward, which supports right-wing politician Tom Emmer. The intent “was to support economic growth and job creation,” he wrote, but the “decision affected many of you in a way I did not anticipate”—because of Emmer’s anti-gay-marriage stance—“and for that I am genuinely sorry.”

Steinhafel insisted Target, which has been known to promote LGBT issues, remains “fully committed to fostering an environment that supports and respects the rights and beliefs of all individuals,” and promised to do a review of Target’s “decision-making process for financial contributions in the public policy arena.” Still, the letter “isn’t exactly an about-face,” writes Max Read on Gawker. “It's also a signal, basically, that Target doesn't have any real plans to donate to pro-gay marriage candidates, or renounce their PAC's support of Emmer.”

Laura Hedlund and Sue Skog protest in front of a Target store after Target donated money to a PAC that is supporting the Republican candidate in the governor’s race in Bloomington, Minn.
Laura Hedlund and Sue Skog protest in front of a Target store after Target donated money to a PAC that is supporting the Republican candidate in the governor’s race in Bloomington, Minn.   (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Laura Hedlund protests in front of a Target store after Target donated money to a PAC that is supporting the Republican candidate in the governor’s race in Bloomington, Minn.
Laura Hedlund protests in front of a Target store after Target donated money to a PAC that is supporting the Republican candidate in the governor’s race in Bloomington, Minn.   (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 43 comments
freetoexpress
Aug 26, 2010 1:10 AM CDT
I applaud Target for their donation. Now that I know about this, I will make a point of shopping Target more often.
George-Jetson
Aug 7, 2010 5:52 AM CDT
These people are so dumb it hurts. Corporations donate big to BOTH sides of the isle. You think the Waltons supported Obama?
Cobalt
Aug 6, 2010 6:22 PM CDT
Now I can appreciate shopping at Target. I refuse to (knowingly) shop anywhere, where the company hates gays, non-Christian religions, Blacks, Jews, etc.
 

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