Minnesota's anti-gay Republican candidate for governor Tom Emmer responded for the first time to outrage over a $150,000 donation by Target Corporation to Minnesota Forward, a conservative PAC funding ads for his campaign:
"Emmer said in an interview that people upset over Target's donation are missing the big picture.
'The sad part to me is, I thought we were supposed to be able to exercise our rights of free speech,' said Emmer, a fiery conservative who is his party's likely nominee for governor. 'We're supposed to celebrate the fact that we have different perspectives. And it doesn't seem like that's what this is about. This seems to be more personal and we've got to get over that.'
Target chief executive Gregg Steinhafel defended the donation earlier this week, saying the Minnesota-based discount retailer remains committed to the gay community. He said its political donations are intended to support business objectives such as job creation."
Target's donation has inspired calls for a boycott from many, including this grandmother, who documented her protest on YouTube.
