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.
Hey, Edwards! The Democrats are in charge again, so when are we going to see Christopher Reeve walk again?
LIAR!
One of my nephews called me just a few minutes ago. A WalMart in a smaller community about thirty miles away got just 2 of these units. My nephew says there's about a hundred people in line, and they're going to rush the counter at midnite. Sometimes I fear for our society....
I wouldn't compare Edwards to a tiger. A better way to say it is a skunk can't change it's stripes.
Fat chance that is going to happen. :0
LIAR!
Nope, cheaper than outsourcing, heck, it's cheaper than hiring an illegal :)
Amazing how out of touch our erstwhile leaders are with real people. They have a staffer shopping for them? Does either he or his wife have a job? Why can't they go shopping for their own PlayStation?
I know. Its scary where Americans priorities are.
Sure, John. No hypocritical babble is necessary this time. Enjoy playing...Walmart appreciates your business!
"Liberalism is a disease! Common sense is the cure!
http://www.cafepress.com/titillatingtees.72831685
But only on PlayStation.
For a lark tonight my son and I drove around and checked out a few of the playstation lines at Best Buy, Circuit City, et al. They've got beds and tents and everything.
We know someone waiting on a line with 16 people, and there are only 2 ps3s available there. One guy has been camping out for almost a week. The guy we know is 2nd in line, and we are wondering if he's going to be alive tomorrow morning... I wouldn't want to be #2 on a line when there are only 2 playstations.
I'm greatly relieved at your explanation.
I was looking for my receipt for my $4 prescription to scan and post to prove to you that I was not making it up.
Clean up on Isle 3. Senator Edwards is full of it!
"So you're for abortion, but against killing terrorists?"
http://www.cafepress.com/titillatingtees.70648187
"He made a mistake and he knows he should not have used my name," Edwards said."
Hard to find good staffers these days who can keep their mouths shut while turning the screws on someone, negotiating with prostitutes, collecting bribe payments, hiding money in freezers, etc.
Ignorant in the extreme and don't care either.
I'm sure my grand kids know what it is though.
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