A market response to Citizens United?

Target has discovered interesting angles to making campaign donations now allowed under Citizens United.

AP reports:

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.

Demonstrators gathered near Target's Minneapolis headquarters on Thursday, and two Facebook groups focused on gay rights are organizing protests at Target stores nationwide this weekend. Immigrant rights supporters have joined the protests, citing Emmer's tough stance on illegal immigration.

In business, one does have to worry about customers. Controversy is bad for business. Citizens United has taken an interesting turn. What will be the counter-response?

Prior IPBiz post:


Supreme Court expands corporate role in campaign ads

Don't forget, this all started with "Hillary: The Movie." That legal action was arguably an "overreach" in enforcing campaign limits. Now look what happened.