Psycho Talk: Is Pawlenty abandoning his own state?
Gov. Tim Pawlenty recently signed an executive order banning Minnesota cities and businesses from applying for federal grants made available since the health care law went into effect. As a result, the state could miss out on billions of dollars in federal funds.
Target Corp. Spending Money on Republican Candidates Posted on 7/27/2010
The discount retailer Target Corp., is now a major donor to a group backing the Republican candidate for Minnesota governor.
That's not sitting well with some Target shoppers.
MN Forward Spend Money on Ads The Minneapolis-based chain store gave $150,000 to a Republican-friendly political group, MN Forward.
MN Forward is running TV ads supporting Repubilcan State Rep. Tom Emmer, who is expected to be the GOP nominee.
Emmer Ultra Conservative Emmer is a fiery conservative who opposes gay marriage, lauds Arizona's strict approach to illegal immigration, once advocated chemical castration for sex offenders and wants to lower taxes.
Emmer's profile contrasts with Target's moderate image in Minnesota, where the company is known for donating to public school programs, food shelves and the annual Twin Cities Gay Pride Festival.
Corporate Money Flows Corporate money is being since the U.S. Supreme Court threw out parts of a 63-year-old law that prohibited companies and unions from donating to campaigns for or against candidates.
Democrats in Minnesota are complaining about the large donation.
Some are talking about striking back at the popular Target brand.
Target Comments Target spokeswoman Lena Michaud said the company supports causes and candidates "based strictly on issues that affect our retail and business objectives."
Target's donations to MN Forward - $100,000 in cash and $50,000 in brand consulting - slightly exceeds the total amount the company has given this year to all campaigns and causes at the federal level. By contrast, individuals can give a maximum of only $2,000 to candidates under Minnesota law.
Other Corporations Give As of Monday, Target was the largest single donor to MN Forward, which had raised nearly $700,000 from companies including Pentair Inc., Hubbard Broadcasting Inc., Davisco Foods International Inc. and Polaris Industries Inc.
Democrats Running for Governor Three Democrats, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton and former state Rep. Matt Entenza, are running in the Aug. 10 primary.
Mark Dayton is an heir to the Dayton Department Store dynasty which turned into Target Corp.
