Posted on 11/16/2006 9:19:05 PM PST by woofie
Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards acknowledged Thursday that amid his criticism of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., a volunteer member of his staff asked the world's largest retailer for help obtaining a hot new Sony Playstation 3 for Edwards' family.
Edwards, a potential 2008 presidential candidate, told The Associated Press that the volunteer "feels terrible" about seeking the game unit at Wal-Mart while his boss claims the retailer doesn't treat its employees fairly.
"My wife, Elizabeth, wanted to get a Playstation3 for my young children. She mentioned it in front of one of my staff people. That staff person mentioned it in front of a volunteer who said he would make an effort to get one. He was making an effort to go get one for himself," Edwards said.
"Elizabeth and I knew nothing about this. He feels terrible about this. He made a mistake and he knows he should not have used my name," Edwards said.
Wal-Mart had noted in a news release Thursday that on the same day Edwards was criticizing the company in a conference call with union-backed activists, the volunteer staff member had asked a Raleigh, N.C., electronics department manager to obtain a PS3 for the ex-senator's family.
Earlier Thursday, Edwards had said in a statement e-mailed by spokeswoman Kim Rubey: "We instructed no one to contact Wal-Mart on our behalf."
From Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., company spokesman David Tovar said the Edwards staff member left a voicemail at the Raleigh store and identified himself as an Edwards staff member.
When the manager returned the call, the staff member again identified himself as working for Edwards, and Wal-Mart said it confirmed it with Edwards' office. The retailer issued a written statement Thursday accusing Edwards of not wanting to wait his turn.
"While the rest of America's working families are waiting patiently in line, Sen. Edwards wants to cut to the front," the Wal-Mart statement said.
This summer, Wal-Mart hired Edelman executive Leslie Dach as its public relations director and put him on the company's executive team. Analysts predicted the retailer would likely become more aggressive toward its critics.
Edwards, the Democrats' vice-presidential candidate in 2004, spoke Wednesday to supporters of union-backed WakeUpWalMart.com on a conference call launching the group's holiday season campaign to pressure Wal-Mart for better labor standards.
In the call, he repeated a story about his son Jack disapproving of a classmate buying sneakers at Wal-Mart.
"If a 6-year-old can figure it out, America can definitely figure this out," Edwards said.
Previously, Edwards has appeared at WakeUpWalMart rallies.
Edwards said the volunteer was "a young kid" unaware of what he called flawed Wal-Mart policies. He called the Wal-Mart statement an effort to divert attention from its own problems.
From Drudge.
Hey man, those private jet-trips get boring!
Its for the children
LOL! Ouch.
Ahhh! I get it Mr. Edwards, you have sicced your kid on other kids at school based on where they shop. But it was not out of snobbery, but out of your six year old's better nature. He was out to help out the other ignorant little tyke.
Yep, I believe you. And I really think you will have Osama and Chavez and Iran shaken in their boots when you get elected because you showed up Wal-Mart.
Edwards is doing a Kerry and blaming it on a staffer (volunteer).
What a guy.
[No wonder NC wouldn't even re-elect him to the Senate nor give him his home state as VP.]
Sometimes, you just can't improve on a story.
His kid disapproves where other kids shop? Hello teach your kid better manners and to mind his own business.
These people TOLD their staff to get it for them. "Mention," my foot!
I'll take Walmart and Edwards for 300 Alex.
This is just nothing more than just a publicity stunt from the former S and P and VP candidate (also hot-shot trial lawyer) for some much needed publicity for his 2008 P run.
/shrug
Oh I see. Blame the wife.
What a friggin coward and liar. But, then again he is a lawyer and a politican.
10 to 1 that in the next few years we will read about the Smeal's kid, I mean Edwards kid being ADD aftering playing the PS3 too long. Then Fast Eddie will sue Sony for making a product that reduces attention spans.
Your too serious.
That settles it, I'm shopping a Walmart from now on. Edwards is a pandering, grandstanding empty suit, and I salute anyone who puts him and his ilk in their place.
F'ing A#1 d-bag. And that's not what I really think.
But Edwards and Kerry can make the crippled walk again. Doesn't that count for something?
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